From 6-8th June leaders of the world’s 8 richest countries met in Heiligendamm in northern
Germany to make important decisions on the urgent issues affecting the world. Two years on from the promises made at the 2005 G8 Summit, and with less than three years until the target date of 2010, the eyes of the world were focused on the G8 to see if they would live up to their commitments and make real the promise of Universal Access to Treatment by 2010.

However, although the G8 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ‘comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programs, treatment and care and support for all’ their ability to deliver on this promise is looking increasingly precarious. The $60 billion pledged to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and strengthen health systems is of course welcome, though the
US was already on course to provide its $30 billion even before President Bush’s announcement at the meeting.

Also the absence of a timeframe for providing this money is seriously worrying. The G8 have shied away from agreeing a comprehensive funding plan choosing instead to make a vague statement about providing the money ‘over the coming years’. In order to hold the leaders accountable, a clear timetable and details of spending is needed. The UN estimates that $192 billion is needed to address AIDS, TB and Malaria from 2008 to 2012, of which $134 billion is needed for HIV and AIDS and even more would be needed to improve health systems. Clearly the $60 billion promised is simply not sufficient.

Moreover, their willingness to remove the trade barriers that are blocking access to essential medicines is questionable. It was hoped that the leaders would promise to provide assistance to ensure that the TRIPS flexibilities can be used by developing countries. There is progressive support for African governments in using the TRIPS flexibilities. However, while such support is vital, it is the omission of countries outside of Africa that is a cause for concern. The most recent battles for access to affordable medicines have taken place not in Africa but in Thailand and Brazil. Where this support would be most useful it is not given.

Currently under 2 million people worldwide receive treatment for HIV and AIDS yet 6 million need it in order to survive. By 2010 11 million people will require antiretrovirals and currently the G8 is not on course to make its universal access target by 2010.

Yet Dr Paul Zeitz, Director of the Global AIDS Alliance reassures us that “it is good news that global epidemics remain as high a political priority at the G8 as they have in past years. Peaceful protests, massive petitions and concerts again have made a difference by putting a spotlight on the imperative of the G8 keeping its promises. Without the mobilization, we would not have made the gains that we did.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 28th, 2007 at 2:37 pm and is filed under Campaign News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.