In regard to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Health Ministers Meeting in Sydney in early June 2007:

(1)   What decisions were made regarding the Millennium Development Goal for reducing AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

(2)   Will Australia’s contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria be increased to $100 million in 2007 and to $640 million over the next 4 years as part of a combined action by APEC members; if not, why not.

(1)   The APEC Health Ministers’ Meeting discussed matters relating to the impact of health threats on economic activity. The agenda for those discussions built on previous work done within APEC, and focussed on avian and pandemic influenza. The Millennium Development Goal relating to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria was not discussed at the meeting. The APEC 2007 Health Ministers’ Meeting also considered emerging health threats affecting the Asia Pacific region, such as the economic and social impact of HIV/AIDS. During the meeting, Ministers received a presentation from Ms Annmaree O’Keeffe, Australian Ambassador for HIV/AIDS regarding the economic and social impact of HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific region. In their Ministerial Outcomes Statement, APEC Health Ministers recognised the need for a multi-sectoral response to address health threats in the region. The APEC Health Task Force Meeting, held in Sydney on 5-6 June 2007 also sought to further APEC’s fight against HIV/AIDS in our region, including the development of guidelines and projects to assist economies in developing measures to address HIV/AIDS.

(2)   The Global Fund to Fight AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities. The funding contributions structure is set up for individual donor countries to contribute on a voluntary basis. To date, 11 APEC Economies have contributed. In the 2007-08 Budget, the Commonwealth Government announced increased funding for the Global Fund of up to $45 million in this financial year. This follows Australia’s existing pledge of $75 million over four years (2004-2007). In addition to this financial commitment, Australia supports the Global Fund through its active involvement with the Board. The Government is also involved in the management and implementation of Global Fund grants in countries in our region.