Anglo American’s Chief Executive joined world business leaders in Davos today to launch the Business Leadership Council Generation Born HIV Free. The private sector-led initiative aims to end the transmission of HIV from mothers to children by the end of 2015 but calls on the collaboration and support of the private sector, government and civil society.
Ms Cynthia Carroll said that “I am delighted that Anglo American is participating in the Business Leadership Council initiative, launched today in Davos. With approximately 95% of our operations in developing countries, Anglo American has a deep appreciation of the vital role health plays in ensuring human development and promoting economic growth. We have many years’ experience in seeking to overcome the burden of HIV/AIDS, particularly in South Africa, and we are confident that we will be able to make a significant contribution to this coordinated effort.”
“It is truly unconscionable that out of the roughly 1.4 million global HIV-positive pregnancies each year, we still see some 390,000 new child infections. That’s 28% not much better than if we did nothing at all. We would not tolerate such poor performance in business and there is no earthly reason why mothers should tolerate such a burden of disease in their newborn babies. I am excited to see everyone here joining in our determination to achieve the goal of an HIV free generation.”
The Business Leadership Council is part of the broader United Nations Millennium Development Goals Health Alliance, designed to harness the collective weight of the private sector to tackle global health challenges. Anglo American’s participation builds on its global leadership in HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, care and support and improving health care systems more generally in countries where there is the greatest need.
Anglo American strongly believes that a collective and innovative response is required from business, government and civil society in order to have a meaningful impact on improving healthcare in developing countries. In June 2011, Anglo American pledged USD 3 million to the UK Government led matching initiative for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations a public/private partnership dramatically increasing access to immunisation in the world’s poorest countries. At the G20 Business Summit in Seoul in November 2010, Anglo American announced a USD 3 million pledge over three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund).
Ms Carroll added that “Notwithstanding the remarkable achievements of innovative health partnerships, there is a lot more work to do and funding shortfalls remain, particularly as the economic environment presents its challenges. We urge the private sector, in particular, to recognise the importance of investing in health in developing countries; there are significant long-term business benefits in terms of economic growth and development. For Anglo American, improving access to healthcare is an important part of our sustainable development program which aims to make a real and lasting difference in the communities where our mines operate.”
