Press Releases

1. Minister Kishida stated that Japan would assume the G7 presidency next year and would also be holding TICAD VI in Africa for the first time; expressed the desire to take these opportunities to promote the response to public health emergencies and universal health coverage (UHC) and to actively contribute to the strengthening of the health system; and expressed the desire to cooperate closely with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

2. In response, Co-Chair Bill Gates praised Japan for making the health area one of the main issues at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, and expressed his hopes for Japanese leadership in the health area. Moreover, he specifically referred to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) as an example of Japanese leadership, and expressed his hopes for appropriate financial contributions from Japan during the current replenishment period (2014-2016) and a forceful commitment as the G7 presidency at the Fifth Replenishment Meeting scheduled for the coming year. He also expressed his hopes for continued contributions from the Government of Japan with regard to the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT).

3. Minister Kishida praised the contribution by the Gates Foundation to the Global Fund, and stated that Japan also intends to make an appropriate contribution despite the difficult fiscal circumstances and intends to give positive consideration to GHIT as well.

4. Minister Kishida also praised the progress in the innovative public-private partnership (PPP) current underway between Japan and the Gates Foundation to eradicate polio and to take measures against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and expressed the Japanese desire to continue to explore new means of PPP with the Foundation.