Governor General to Attend the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund in Montréal

OTTAWA, Sept. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will meet with world leaders at the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at the International Civil Aviation Organization (999 Robert-Bourassa Blvd.) in Montréal, on Saturday, September 17, 2016.

"What an honour it is for Canada to host the Global Fund Fifth Replenishment Conference," said the Governor General. "This is an opportunity to demonstrate our country's strong commitment to improving global health by eliminating AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as pandemics by 2030. As one of the world's largest donors to the Global Fund, Canada is dedicated to working closely with its international partners to prevent and end these deadly diseases, which claim millions of lives every year."

Below is His Excellency's itinerary for the day.

9 a.m.
Opening Session of the Second Day of the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
His Excellency will attend the opening session of the second day of the conference, which will be opened by Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, along with Hannah Godefa, UNICEF Ethiopia National Ambassador. Keynote addresses will be delivered by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, His Excellency Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Bill Gates, humanitarian and Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Bono, U2 singer and co-founder of One and (Red).
Assembly Hall, 4^th floor, International Civil Aviation Organization
OPEN TO MEDIA

12 p.m.
Official Luncheon with Heads of State and Heads of Government
His Excellency will host an official luncheon with heads of State and heads of Government from contributing or recipient Global Fund countries, as well as heads of international organizations and leaders of the Global Fund.

In his speech, His Excellency will highlight the importance of the Global Fund to millions of people worldwide and detail the ways in which it is an innovative example of partnership and caring on a global scale.
Delegates Lounge, 3^rd Floor, International Civil Aviation Organization
OPEN TO POOL MEDIA – Speech only

About the Global Fund
The Global Fund is a 21^st-century partnership designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. A partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and those affected by the diseases, the Global Fund mobilizes and invests nearly US$4 billion a year to support programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries. By challenging barriers and embracing innovative approaches, the Global Fund works to better serve people affected by the diseases. For more information, visit www.theglobalfund.org.

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SOURCE Governor General of Canada

Media information: Annabelle Cloutier, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-993-8158 (office), 613-301-2764 (cell), [email protected]; Media Relations Office, Global Affairs Canada, 343-203-7700, [email protected]