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Annie Lennox, Diane Kruger, Natalie Portman and Penélope Cruz Call on the World to End Epidemics

23 September 2019

GENEVA − With just three weeks left until the Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment Conference in Lyon, Annie Lennox, Diane Kruger, Natalie Portman and Penélope Cruz have launched a petition on change.org calling on people to sign an open letter to 7-year-olds.

The letter promises to end AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics by 2030 – the year the children will become adults – and is a call to action for the world to step up the fight to end the three deadliest infectious diseases.

It reads: “Let’s be honest, we’re leaving you with a long to-do list – fighting injustice, promoting equality, protecting the planet. But, we promise you this: over the next 11 years, we are going to do everything we can to remove one thing from that list. Actually, we’ll remove three things: AIDS. Tuberculosis. Malaria. We will step up the fight, so you don’t have to.”

Women and girls continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. Worldwide, nearly 1,000 young women and girls are infected with HIV every day. Gender inequality, discrimination, violence, limited access to education and a lack of tailored services inhibit women’s and girls’ access to health care and fuel new infections.

The petition was first launched as an open letter signed by more than 40 leading global artists, athletes and activists and more than 35,000 people around the world have now joined them and made their promise.

"I've personally witnessed the devastation caused by AIDS, TB and malaria around the world. We have the tools to put an end to these diseases. If we act NOW we can achieve this Global Goal by 2030. Let’s put an end to these epidemics once and for all! It CAN be done" - Annie Lennox, OBE

"As a mother I am deeply concerned about the legacy we are leaving the next generation. While kids today have many battles ahead I am determined that AIDS, TB and malaria will not be left for them to deal with" - Penélope Cruz

This year is a decisive moment in the fight against AIDS, TB and malaria. France will host the Global Fund’s Sixth Replenishment Conference in Lyon on 10 October 2019, where world leaders, philanthropists and companies will gather to make pledges to the Global Fund. The Global Fund seeks to raise at least US$14 billion for the next three years to help save 16 million lives, cut the mortality rate from HIV, TB and malaria in half, and build stronger health systems by 2023.

Other signatories include: Amandine Henry, Amy Poehler, Annie Lennox, Antoine Griezmann, Baaba Maal, Charlize Theron, Cindy Bruna, Daniel Brühl, David Oyelowo, Diane Kruger, Ed Sheeran, Sir Elton John, Freida Pinto, Jennifer Garner, Laura Whitmore, Neil Patrick Harris, Naomie Harris, Ndileka Mandela, Noëlla Coursaris, Noom Diawara, Panti Bliss, Penélope Cruz, Richard Curtis, Russell Tovey, Sifiso Mlungwana, Simon Pegg, Stephen Fry, Stephen Merchant, Thandie Newton, Thomas Lemar, Trevor Noah, Vanessa Kingori, Vanessa Kirby, Will Poulter, Youssou N’Dour, Zara Larsson, Zonke.