Commitments to Fight AIDS/TB in Russia & Ukraine Arrive At Critical Turning Point

A Global Consensus on Partnership provides an in-depth analysis of the business role in stemming the spread of HIV/AIDS and TB in the regions in order to help guide future business efforts, further developing the discussion that began during the GBC Member Trip and Leaders Forum, held in Moscow on October 22-25.

The report, written in partnership with member company Booz & Company, highlights the potential of public-private partnerships as an effective, yet underutilized, response to the HIV/AIDS and TB epidemics in emerging economies such as Russia, China and India, whose economies are particularly vulnerable to the impact of AIDS and TB.

With its inclusion of the declaration made at the Moscow Leaders Forum, the report further helps to unite voice of business leaders in calling for increased engagement and follow through by the leaders of the public and private sectors.

GBC gives special thanks to the leaders of member companies that participated in the Russia events and to Booz & Company, for showing leadership in addressing critical international health issues.

» Read the full report (PDF)

GBC Strikes Landmark Agreements with Ukrainian Prime Minister and St. Petersburg, Russia Vice Governor

The AIDS/TB epidemic in Ukraine and Russia received critical government attention following GBC’s recent member’s trip to the region.

The commitments were among the most important achievements of GBC’s recent member trip to Russia, which brought top business leaders – including representatives from Anglo-American, Bayer, BD, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chevron, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Unilever and SABMiller – to Russia with the goal of forging innovative and results-oriented partnerships between the private and public sector in the fight against AIDS and TB.  

Ukraine to Appoint AIDS “Czar”

In Ukraine, AIDS and TB have been elevated to national priority status thanks to an agreement that GBC President & CEO Richard Holbrooke and Executive Director John Tedstrom secured with Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovich.

Prime Minister Yanukovich promised to appoint a national "Czar" for AIDS and TB to work exclusively on these issues, and ordered his deputy prime minister to engage on this "top priority" matter.

The Prime Minister also pledged to increase Ukraine's commitment to providing substitution treatment for injecting drug users in the context of HIV prevention and treatment. Recent problems facing the country's methadone plan have jeopardized its Global Fund program.

The agreements followed a stakeholder meeting organized by Elena Franchuk Anti-AIDS Foundation in close cooperation with GBC and EastOne LLC. The meeting brought senior business leaders to discuss the impact of HIV/AIDS and TB on business, and the importance of a concerted and strategic private sector response.

At the meeting, GBC also announced that steel holding company Industrial Union of Donbass has become its newest Ukrainian member, joining top firms such as EastOne and XXI Century Investments.

Regional Commitment in St. Petersburg Will Engage Thousands of Workers

In Russia, St. Petersburg Vice Governor Lyudmila Kostkina committed to work closely with GBC to identify potential points of collaboration with the “HEALTH@WORK” program, engaging employees of Russian state enterprises in St. Petersburg – including local seaports which employ tens of thousands of local residents.

As a result of the Vice Governor’s resolute approach to the problem, employees of these enterprises will receive important information that raises awareness, safeguards health, and reduces economic losses caused by HIV/AIDS, TB and other preventable diseases. The move is a critical step forward in a region threatened by the fastest-growing AIDS epidemic in the world, and a significant milestone in GBC’s new drive to align the response of businesses and government.

GBC’s member trip annually engages representatives of top international corporations in an intensive investigation of how AIDS, TB and malaria impacts society.  It also provides a unique perspective on how impacted countries are prepared to respond, from which gaps can be identified for potential future collaboration.

From October 21-25, GBC members participated in a series of meetings with high-level policymakers; made visits to local AIDS and TB treatment facilities, orphanages and outreach programs; and engaged in focused scenario building exercises.  The trip culminated with the 2007 Leaders Forum, which provided participants with an opportunity to discuss the development and initiation of new, high-impact public-private partnerships in the area of public health. Distinguished guests included Ambassador Richard Holbrooke (GBC), Vladimir Pozner (Academy of Russian TV), Peter J. Robertson (Chevron), Jorge Sampaio (UN Special Envoy to Stop TB), and Clyde C. Tuggle (The Coca-Cola Company), among others.