News Releases

The Global Fund in Bangkok

06 July 2004

Global Fund Partnership Forum and other Global Fund Activities in Bangkok

  • Actor and activist Rupert Everett to talk about AIDS in Zambia and Cambodia
  • Major marketing drive to be announced
  • The Global Fund joins the Mandela Foundation for 46664 event

Partnership Forum

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is holding a meeting of 400 delegates as the culmination of its ongoing Partnership Forum.

The Partnership Forum is a unique feature of the Global Fund. In addition to a Board, the Partnership Forum is part of the Global Fund’s governance structure. It meets every two years to discuss the effectiveness of Global Fund policies and practices and how they can improve. The Partnership Forum is open to a broad group of stakeholders (including civil society, the private sector and academia) and provides a channel for feedback from stakeholders who are not formally represented elsewhere in the governance structure of the Global Fund.

Since mid-March 2004, approximately 750 Global Fund stakeholders have joined PartnersGF, an independently moderated online discussion forum which has provided the introductory, virtual component of the Partnership Forum. Discussions have also taken place during six Regional Meetings of Global Fund recipients during the past three months.

The real-time Partnership Forum meets in Bangkok, 7-8 July 2004, at the United Nations Conference Center. The closing plenary of the Partnership Forum (Thursday, 8 July 17.30-18.15, UN Conference Center) is open to the media. The conclusions of the Partnership Forum will be presented at a press conference at 10.00 on Sunday, 11 July at the IMPACT Conference Centre.

“A Force for Change: The Global Fund at 30 Months”

At the XV International AIDS Conference, which opens in Bangkok on 11 July 2004, the Global Fund will launch its first progress report, documenting achievements during the 30 months since its creation in January 2002. The 72-page report presents and analyzes data the Global Fund has collected on the performance of its operations to date, along with more in-depth descriptions of Global Fund-supported programs in five countries – Ghana, Honduras, Indonesia, Rwanda and Zambia – told in the voices of those involved in managing and implementing them. The report will be presented at a press conference at 10.00 on Sunday 11 July at the IMPACT Conference Centre.

Rupert Everett on AIDS and the Global Fund

Global Fund Goodwill Ambassador Rupert Everett will be attending both the Partnership Forum and the XV International AIDS Conference. Rupert Everett, the British actor whose roles have ranged from Shakespeare to Shrek 2, has turned his attention to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

For the Global Fund, Rupert Everett has visited projects in Zambia and comes to Bangkok direct from visiting Global Fund-supported programs in Cambodia. In Bangkok at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, he will talk about the people he has met and the activities he has seen.

Launch of Global Fund Awareness Campaign

On 12 July, the Global Fund will announce a far-reaching partnership with a major U.S. media corporation. The collaboration aims at spreading awareness among U.S. and European viewers about the global AIDS crisis and the Global Fund’s work.

Nelson Mandela Event

Although Mr Mandela recently announced his retirement from public life, he will be in attendance at the special screening of 46664: The Message, a one-hour special on the 46664 all-star concert staged in Cape Town last year. Following the screening, he is set to address the assembled delegates on what more they can do to help 46664, his campaign to raise awareness of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, and funding for the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s work in this area.

The event will be introduced by Dr. Richard Feachem, Executive Director of Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

GLOBAL FUND PRESS DIARY

When: Thursday, 8 July, 17.30 – 18.15
What: The Global Fund Partnership Forum, closing plenary
Where: United Nations Conference Center (ESCAP Bldg), Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok.
NOTE: All reporters who do not have United Nations Media Accreditation need to call in advance to signal their interest in attending the session. Their names will be provided to Security, who will provide them with entry passes.
Contact: Jon Lidén, Head, Communications. +41 79 244 6006 (mobile; works in Thailand) and Kraig Klaudt, +66 1 612 6596

When: Thursday, 8 July, 20.00
What: An Evening with Actor and Activist RUPERT EVERETT
Where: The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT), Penthouse, Maneeya Center Building, 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Patumwan, Bangkok Tel: 02-652-0580-1
Contact: Craig Knowles, FCCT, +66 1-907 7653

When: Sunday, 11 July, 10.00 – 11.00
What: The Global Fund: Partnership Forum and Progress after 30 Months
Who: Dr Helene Gayle, Gates Foundation and Global Fund Board Member; Richard Feachem, Executive Director of the Global Fund; Representative for Global Fund Grant Recipient
Where: IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Media Room A, 99 Popular Road T. Bannai, A. Pakkred Nonthaburi, Bangkok
Contact: Jon Lidén, Head, Communications +41 79 244 6006 (mobile; works in Thailand) and Kraig Klaudt, +66 1 612 6596

When: Monday, 12 July, 15.00
What: Why the Global Fund Can Spend Billions of Dollars Wisely
Who: Actor and Activist RUPERT EVERETT
Where: IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Media Room A, 99 Popular Road T. Bannai, A. Pakkred Nonthaburi, Bangkok
Contact: Jon Lidén, Head, Communications +41 79 244 6006 (mobile; works in Thailand) and Kraig Klaudt, +66 1 612 6596

When: Monday, 12 July, 12.00
What: Announcement on Media Partnership
Where: Press Release distributed to all media contacts
Contact: Jon Lidén, Head, Communications +41 79 244 6006 (mobile; works in Thailand) and Kraig Klaudt, +66 1 612 6596

When: Thursday 15th July 2004, 20:00 – 22:00 (doors open at 19:30)
What: 46664: The Message brought to you by 46664 and the Nelson Mandela Foundation
Where: IMPACT Arena, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre (Muang Thong Thani)
Contact: Jon Lidén, Head, Communications +41 79 244 6006 (mobile; works in Thailand) and Kraig Klaudt, +66 1 612 6596; or Shimon Cohen or David Russell +44 20 7788 4100

Information about Global Fund-related sessions at the XV International AIDS Conference can be obtained on arrival at the media center at the XV AIDS Conference Venue, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre, Room A, 99 Popular Road T. Bannai, A. Pakkred Nonthaburi 11120, Bangkok.