Highlights Canada’s focus on supporting immunization, fostering innovation and engaging the private sector
January 28, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, returned from a successful visit to Berlin, Germany, where he participated in Reach Every Child, the Gavi replenishment pledging conference.
While in Berlin, Minister Paradis reiterated Canada’s early pledge of continued support for Gavi’s 2016–2020 strategy, which aims to immunize 300 million more children by 2020, saving as many as 6 million more lives. Minister Paradis also confirmed Canada’s long-standing support of Gavi as part of the government’s top development priority: improving the health of mothers, newborns and children around the world.
In Berlin, Minister Paradis addressed a breakfast meeting and a high-level dinner of private sector partners involved in delivering on Gavi’s objectives. He highlighted Canada’s commitment to fostering innovation and engaging the private sector to deliver on our common development and global health goals.
“Canada continues to be a leader in pressing for global action on maternal, newborn and child health issues,” said Minister Paradis. ‘‘The private sector has the resources, innovation and expertise to play a key role in development and improving global health. We see the power of the private sector clearly in Gavi’s success: immunizing half a billion children since 2000. As Chair of the Redesigning Development Finance Initiative’s steering committee, I would like to see more private sector engagement in global health and more examples of innovative financing with the potential to save millions of lives.”
A particular focus of Minister Paradis’ visit was also to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to strengthening health systems and improving immunization efforts in francophone countries.
“As Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, I know that many francophone countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have the lowest immunization rates in the world,” said Minister Paradis. “Last year, Canada provided additional support to Gavi to strengthen health systems and bolster immunization efforts in francophone countries in West and Central Africa. Now, we are pleased to announce that Canada will support a new initiative with Gavi to scale up immunization in francophone countries in Africa by working with the private sector to seek out innovative ways to expand equitable access to life-saving vaccines.”
At the conference, Gavi secured pledges adding up to the US$7.5 billion it requires to fully fund its 2016–2020 strategy.
Maxime Robert
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
maxime.robert@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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