Kaiser Network 2. March 2007

Minister Says

In addition, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged to continue work begun by Blair in 2005 during the United Kingdom’s G8 presidency to address poverty in Africa. Wieczorek-Zeul said that she hopes there will be a “clear signal for fighting HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis and that a fixed amount will be pledged, which will be used to target AIDS prevention in women and children,” during the June G8 summit in Heiligendamm, Germany. The country has pledged $528.7 million this year to help fight HIV/AIDS, including its contributions to European Union efforts and other global campaigns. A conference aimed at garnering pledges for the Global Fund To fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria also will be held in Germany in September, Wieczorek-Zeul said. She added that nations should increase their efforts to promote sustainable development initiatives, such as micro-credit programs that help women launch their own businesses, in African countries (Reuters South Africa, 3/1).