Australia to support efforts to empower women, fight malaria
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Julia Gillard, Primer Minister of Australia
The year 2015 should not just be the deadline for the Millennium Development Goals but the jump-off point for new global action, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Gillard said over the next decade, her country will provide $320 million to support women’s political participation, expand women’s leadership, and spread economic and social opportunities in the Pacific.
She added that Australia is also supporting UN initiatives to fight malaria.
"Since 2000, the world has cut the number of deaths from malaria by 26 per cent. Without these advances, 330 000 more people would have died of malaria last year –the great majority in Africa. But malaria itself is fighting back – now, drug resistance in malaria must be overcome." (Duration: 25″)
Later this year, Australia will host a meeting bringing together political leaders, civil society and the private sector to boost efforts to eliminate malaria.
