[Title] Remarks by Foreign Minister Kishida at the 5th Replenishment Preparatory Meeting of the Global Fund

Good morning, Excellences, ladies and gentlemen.

It is my pleasure to speak here today at the opening of the Global Fund's Fifth Replenishment Preparatory Meeting. This is the first meeting of its kind held in Asia apart from Europe and North America. I am delighted to see all stakeholders gathered here together.

In 2000, the G8 Okinawa Summit paved the way for the establishment of the Global Fund, and since then the Fund has played a central role to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The Global Fund's work has saved 17 million lives. This is a great achievement, realized by all stakeholders' efforts and public private partnerships. As Foreign Minister of Japan, a country known as a founding father of the Fund, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to all stakeholders involved.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted this year. Among its targets is to end the epidemic of three major infectious diseases. With the great results achieved so far, it is becoming important that the Global Fund's support generates greater ownership on the part of implementers and encourages realization of sustained provision of medical services.

The realization of resilient, inclusive and sustainable health systems along with universal health coverage is indispensable to our efforts to end these three infectious diseases. I very much hope that the Global Fund will play a leading role in establishing health systems in implementing countries.

I strongly commend that the Global Fund focuses on each and every individual and tackles the social challenges the vulnerable face. This is in line with the concept of human security.

In 2016, Japan will assume the G7 Presidency. Let me conclude by expressing our determination that Japan will continue to proactively address various issues regarding global health in collaboration with the Global Fund and other relevant international organizations.