CHINA: International donors approve a global fund of 1.9 billion U.S. dollars to combat bird flu at close of conference in Beijing.

Record ID: 859369

  • Title: CHINA: International donors approve a global fund of 1.9 billion U.S. dollars to combat bird flu at close of conference in Beijing.
  • Date: 18th January 2006
  • Summary: (BN 09) BEIJING, CHINA (JANUARY 18, 2006) (REUTERS) DELEGATES AT CLOSE OF CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 2nd February 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • City:
  • Country: China
  • Topics: International Relations,Health
  • Reuters ID: LVAZDGBMHDJXAF7SC8MYYZJF40
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  • Story Text: An international donors's conference on bird flu wrapped up in Beijing on Wednesday (January 18) with nations pledging 1.9 billion U.S. dollars to help fight the global battle against the spread of the deadly disease.
    The fund was higher than expected and delegates to the conference said it would help in reducing the threat of a global pandemic.
    "Today at the conclusion of the international pledging conference in Beijing, I am glad to announce that the total amount pledged by the international community amounts to 1.9 billion U.S. dollars,"± said EU Commissioner Markos Kyprianou.
    Underscoring the urgency of the task at hand, a toddler in Indonesia died on Tuesday and was being tested for bird flu and Turkey confirmed its 21st human case.
    The H5N1 virus mainly infects birds but has already killed about 80 people since 2003 and scientists fear it is only a matter of time before it mutates into a form that can pass easily between people, sparking a human pandemic.
    The World Bank said it was now key to ensure the funds were well spent.
    "Finally, it'll be key to set a results framework for the country, regional and global programmes. Results is what everyone wants to achieve and I think that framework of monitoring and focusing results will be key over time to justify both the level of lending which has been mobilized but I also think in the future when similar problems arise to be able to match the target. If we're able to show results we're able to show progress, I think that's the most effective way to send a message about the effectiveness of the commitments that have been made in the last two days," said Jim Adams, World Bank Vice President.
    In the past month the virus has also spread to Turkey, bringing the disease that had previously hit East Asia hardest to the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
    "Avian flu is an international problem, that doesn't share a border. It needs international efforts. Let's take this conference as an opportunity to unite and help each other and to set up cooperation. Let's fight together and win the battle over avian flu," said Du Qinglin, China's Minister of Agriculture.
    The World Bank has estimated that a pandemic lasting a year could cost the global economy up to $800 billion.
    The U.N.¡¯s top coordinator on avian flu, David Nabarro, said it was vital the funds were used wisely.
    "And it's all what we've got to work on now is making sure that the money is well spent, achieves its impact and makes the world a safer and better place for ourselves and our children."
    "It's about implementation now, I think there's a very strong agreement that the key programmes have to be developed at the country level and it those programmes that should be implemented effectively with the financing that's been provided," said Adams.
    Earlier in the day Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged further donations from rich countries, while warning that bird flu posed a regional and global threat to security.
    Representatives from 89 countries attended the conference.
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