Letter to Japan G7 Finance Minister

February 1 , 2007

Mr. Koji Omi, Minister of Finance

We, Japanese NGOs, write to urge you to make the issue of increased funding towards achieving universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment a core development agenda at the G7 Finance Ministers

Meeting which is to be held on February 8-9, 2007 in Essen, Germany. At the Gleneagles G8 Summit in 2005, the heads of G8 states agreed to come close as possible to achieving universal access of HIV/AIDS treatment by 2010 and significantly reducing HIV/AIDS infections.

This was followed by the declaration made by the international community at the UNGASS Review Meeting in 2006, to achieve universal access to comprehensive prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010. Furthermore, in October 2006 the German government announced that universal access and the strengthening of health systems would be on the agenda of the German G8 in 2007.

We acknowledge that Japan has actively contributed towards attaining these international goals. In fact, former prime minister Jun'ichiro Koizumi announced a pledge of 500 million dollars to The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for the coming years in June 2005, and the Japanese government has made much effort to fulfill the pledge.

Moreover, as part of its bilateral aid efforts, the Government of Japan announced the "Health and Development" Initiative in 2005, and has consistently placed the issue of health and infectious diseases on the center of its development agenda. We highly appreciate these efforts, and express our deep gratitude.

However, in order to achieve universal access to prevention, treatment and care in developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2010, further resources and consolidated measures are required. Currently, out of the 6.8 million who are in need of treatment, 5.2 million are not able to access treatment. Making significant impact in the fight against HIV/AIDS requires a comprehensive approach to prevention and care, as well as strengthening health systems in developing countries.

To ensure treatment and care to all people living with HIV/AIDS and prevent new infections as much as possible, bold and coherent policy, specific action plan and time-bound funding plan implemented by coordinated efforts by G8 countries are required. According to UNAIDS estimates, effective measures against the global pandemic require investments of 22.1 billion dollars in 2008. The 2007 G8 process is critical in raising these funds.

We urge that funding towards achieving universal access is placed on the core development agenda at the G7 Finance Ministers Meeting in February. Furthermore, we strongly urge the following to secure sustained funding for the fight against the epidemic:

1. Develop a time bound funding plan towards attaining universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment

2. Build a specific framework that specifies G8 countries' funding contribution commensurate to their economic power as per its share of world GDP

The year 2000 was a commemorative year in which Japan, at the Kyushu- Okinawa G8 Summit, played a central role in making infectious diseases a core development agenda. We strongly expect that Japan, chairing the summit in 2008, will continue to demonstrate the leadership and take responsible action in advancing the issue of infectious disease both at the 2007 Summit in Germany and 2008 Summit in Japan. As a first step, we strongly hope that Japan takes initiative in addressing universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care at the G7 Finance Minister Meeting, and take action which reflect "growth and responsibility", the central themes of the German Summit.

Yours Sincerely,

Africa Japan Forum

Altermonde

Foster Parents Plan of Japan

Japan AIDS and Society Association

MEDECINS DU MONDE JAPON

Moment

OXFAM Japan

Results Japan

TICO

Together with Africa and Asia Association (TAAA) 2050 World Vision

Japan