Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa by Mr. Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund
April 21, 2022
On April 21, commencing at 2:10 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Hayashi Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy visit by Mr. Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The overview is as follows.
- Minister Hayashi expressed his appreciation for the role played by the Global Fund in responding to three major infectious diseases as well as in strengthening health systems at the current difficult time with negative impacts of COVID-19 on the health systems. He also stated that the Global Fund’s role is more important than ever in situations where an increased emphasis is put on the importance of preparedness and response for future pandemics.
- In response, Mr. Sands expressed his sincere gratitude to the continuous contribution from Japan for the Global Fund. He explained the impact of COVID-19 on the three infectious diseases and on the health systems, while touching upon topics such as health and medical care situation in Ukraine. Mr. Sands also asked Japan’s support to the Global Fund’s seventh replenishment scheduled in the second half of this year.
- Both sides reaffirmed to continue close cooperation between Japan and the Global Fund in various areas, including achieving universal health coverage and improving health systems with a view to strengthening preparedness for future pandemics.