Australia will contribute an additional $5 million [$3.7 million US) to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced in Kobe, Japan, at the 7th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific. "This follows the $15 million [$11 million US] announced earlier this month as part of our $75 million [$56 million US] commitment to the global fund," said Downer. Australia's role at the conference included sending a delegation, sponsoring more than 50 participants from developing nations, and supporting workshops and meetings for people living with HIV/AIDS. Downer said a report released by UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot is the region's wake-up call. "[The report says] that in our own region, AIDS is now an exceptional crisis requiring an emergency response," said Downer, adding that "Australia is responding robustly to this challenge."

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