The Global Fund

THE GLOBAL FUND NAMES MS&L ITS GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA RELATIONS PARTNER

NEW YORK AND PARIS – November 18, 2008 – The Global Fund, a public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, has chosen MS&L, one of the world’s leading global communications firms, to be its communications and media relations partner. The account will be led out of MS&L’s Paris office, with support from MS&L offices and staff in 18 countries around the world.

Based in Geneva, The Global Fund is one of the world’s largest and most esteemed global health organizations. It operates as an independent financial entity focused on fighting three of the world’s most devastating diseases – AIDS/HIV, tuberculosis and malaria – and directing those resources to areas of greatest need. To date, the Fund has committed $11.3 billion US in 136 countries to support aggressive interventions against all three diseases.

MS&L will work with The Global Fund on its public, media, and political events in 18 countries throughout Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America. The MS&L team will work hand-in-glove with The Global Fund’s communications team to provide strategic, media and logistical support. MS&L has one of the largest healthcare communications practices in the world.

“We were incredibly impressed with the size and scope of MS&L’s global network, as well as their keen healthcare, media relations and communications expertise,” said Jon Lidén, director of communications, The Global Fund. “We will partner with them on some of our most important projects and events worldwide.”

MS&L was selected through a competitive review process that included dozens of PR agencies from around the world.

“We are thrilled to have been selected by The Global Fund to support their communications team in key markets globally,” says Monique da Silva, MS&L’s global healthcare director. “It is a strong recognition of our global health capabilities and network to partner with such a respected organization as The Global Fund, dedicated to addressing major health concerns throughout the world in coordination with governments, international foundations, and high profile NGOs.”

About The Global Fund
The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organizations to supplement existing efforts dealing with the three diseases.

Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has become the main source of finance for programs to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, with approved funding of US$ 11.5 billion for more than 550 programs in 136 countries. It provides a quarter of all international financing for AIDS globally, two-thirds for tuberculosis and malaria.

As of June 2008, programs supported by the Global Fund are estimated to have averted more than 2.5 million deaths by providing AIDS treatment for 1.75 million people, TB treatment for 3.9 million people, and by distributing 59 million insecticide-treated bed nets for the prevention of malaria worldwide.