September 3, 2010, Prime Minister Naoto Kan opened a special launch event for the Tokyo exhibition of a joint photographic project by Magnum Photos and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This photo exhibit documents the impact of antiretroviral treatment on the lives of people living with AIDS around the world and is designed to give a human face to the global effects of the disease. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Kan, who first became involved in policy on HIV/AIDS as health minister in 1996, spoke about the vital importance of the ongoing work to combat the spread of AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria and lauded the efforts of the Global Fund to combat these deadly diseases worldwide. Japan has been a longstanding supporter of the work of the Global Fund and has contributed nearly US$1.3 billion to the organization since its creation in 2002.
Following the prime minister’s remarks, Michel Sidibé, executive director of UNAIDS, and Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund, spoke about the importance of redoubling our efforts to fight HIV/AIDS around the world, and other prominent leaders in the fight against communicable diseases took part in a panel discussion on the accomplishments so far in responding to the shared global challenge of AIDS as well as the work that still urgently needs to be done. Close to 200 top leaders from politics, business, and the nonprofit community joined the opening discussion, which was organized by the Japan Center for International Exchange / Friends of the Global Fund Japan (FGFJ); the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Magnum Photos; and the Asahi Shimbun.
After the opening panel, participants were able to preview the exhibit and took part in a reception, which included remarks from other senior Japanese politicians such as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Motohisa Furukawa, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Chinami Nishimura, and Representative Ichiro Aisawa.
The photo exhibit will be open to the general public daily from September 5 to September 22, 2010.
Sidibé, and Jackson
4:00~5:30 Opening Panel Discussion
Introduction
- Tadashi Yamamoto, Director, Friends of the Global Fund, Japan; President, Japan Center for International Exchange
Opening Remarks
- Hon. Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan
Keynote Address
- Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); Under Secretary-General of the United Nations
Panelist Presentations
- Ernest Loevinsohn, Vice Chair of the Board, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund); Director, Policy and Advocacy, Global Health Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Carol Nyirenda, National Coordinator, Community Initiative for Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and Malaria (CITAM+), Zambia; Board Member of the Global Fund
- Danielle Jackson, Magnum Photos New York
Moderator
- Aiko Doden, Senior Commentator, Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK)
Closing Remarks
- Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
5:30~6:00 Gallery Preview
6:00~8:00 Reception
Welcome:
- Tadashi Yamamoto, Director, Friends of the Global Fund, Japan; President, Japan Center for International Exchange
Remarks:
- Hon. Motohisa Furukawa, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary; Member, House of Representatives
- Hon. Chinami Nishimura, Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Hon. Ichiro Aisawa, Member, House of Representatives
