Expert opinion

	03.12.06 Victoria Panova G8 research group, University of Toronto, Director for Russia
	03.12.06 Mona Bricke German NGO Forum Environment and Development
	03.12.06 Nigel Martin Montreal International Rorum (FIM)
	02.12.06 John Kirton Head of G8 Research Group, University of Toronto
	02.12.06 Regina Gunter Head of the WWF Germany

News

Canadian Health Minister Clement Notes Progress At G8 Health Ministers Meeting

Canadian Health Minister Tony Clement was pleased with the outcome of discussions at the first-ever meeting of G8 Health Ministers in Moscow.

Ministers renewed their international commitment to combat avian influenza and prevent and prepare for a possible human pandemic influenza. They also committed to work cooperatively on global health issues such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases that represent major threats to global public health and place a heavy socio-economic burden on societies.

"We agreed that it is important to renew our efforts to meet existing health commitments made by G8 leaders and to intensify global cooperation on preparations related to a possible pandemic influenza," said Health Minister Clement.

G8 Health Ministers welcomed the participation of multilateral institutions, including the World Health Organization, UNAIDS and the World Bank, as well as Ministers from China, Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa for part of their discussions.

Minister Clement appreciated the opportunity to meet with his North American colleagues Secretary Michael Leavitt (United States of America) and Minister Julio Frenk (Mexico) to follow up on the commitment to develop a North American Pandemic Plan, as agreed by Leaders at Cancun.

Minister Clement took the opportunity to invite colleagues to attend the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto in August where the world community will address the theme 'Time to Deliver.'

"The Toronto AIDS Conference will bring together scientists, political leaders, multilateral organizations, civil society organizations, governments, people living with HIV/AIDS, to work together to make real inroads into treating, preventing and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS," the Minister said.

Expert opinion

	02.12.06 Halter Marek Le College de France
	02.12.06 Olivier Giscard d’Estaing COPAM, France
	02.12.06 Mika Ohbayashi Institute for Sustainable Energy Poliсy
	02.12.06 Bill Pace World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy
	01.12.06 Peter I. Hajnal Toronto University, G8 Research Group