Noriyuki Ishiyama of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) / Friends of the Global Fund, Japan (FGFJ) was selected as a torchbearer for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Noriyuki took part in the run on Saturday, May 1, in Okinawa Prefecture representing “The Global Fund – from Okinawa” team consisting of eight members from Japan and abroad, along with celebrity JOY and Morimitsu Touma, Executive Director of the Yaeyama War Malaria Bereaved Family Association.
In honor of the fact that the Global Fund was first proposed at the G8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in 2000, an international team consisting of members who have been involved in the fight to end AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria carried the Olympic torch through the streets of Okinawa.
Celebrating the achievements over the 20 years since the Summit, “The Global Fund – From Okinawa” team emphasizes the value of life, peace, and the importance of international solidarity in ending the epidemic of the three infectious diseases.
Following the team’s run, a blog post by Global Fund Executive Director Peter Sands was published on May 3rd.
Okinawa: Lighting a Flame for the Fight Against Infectious Diseases
May 3, 2021 by Peter Sands, Executive Director
Outline of “The Global Fund – from Okinawa” Team
Date: Saturday, May 1, 2021
Location: Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture
Team Name: “The Global Fund – from Okinawa”
The team consists of eight people, including four representatives from infectious diseases supported by the Global Fund, Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, and three people who have fought tuberculosis and malaria in Japan. Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions caused by the new corona, five runners from overseas were unable to run, but three Japanese runners ran in Okinawa with the united wishes of the entire team.
On The Runners:
Eight people, including four advocates and leaders in the fight against infectious diseases supported by the Global Fund, the executive director of the Global Fund, and three people who have fought tuberculosis and malaria in Japan. Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions caused by the new corona, the overseas five runners were unable to run, but three Japanese runners ran in Okinawa with the united wishes of the entire team. More information on the runners can be found here.
- Maureen Mulenga
Executive Director, Lean on Me Foundation (Kenya) - Jeffrey Akaba
Programme Officer, APCASO (Philippines) - Noriyuki Ishiyama
Digital and Print Production Officer, Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE)/Friends of the Global Fund, Japan (FGFJ) - JOY
TV Personality, Stop TB Partnership Volunteer Ambassador (Japan) - Morimitsu Touma
Director, Yaeyama War Malaria Bereaved Family Association (Japan) - Peter Sands
Executive Director, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria - Zolelwa Sifumba
Community Service Medical Officer, St. Andrews Hospital (South Africa) - Saw Win Tung
Malaria Community Worker (Myanmar)
