The International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human
Influenza opened yesterday in Beijing and participants at the
two-day meeting are expected to endorse a declaration today that
reflects the political will of the world to combat the
epidemic.
The two-day meeting, sponsored by the Chinese government, the
European Commission and the World Bank, comes at a time
when the bird flu strain seems to be becoming more virulent and its
control stymied by funding shortages.
"There is a significant shortfall of funds in many affected
countries and relevant international agencies, which will seriously
hamper their prevention and control efforts," Vice-Foreign Minister
Qiao Zonghuai said in the opening speech yesterday.
Therefore, the gathering assumes great significance in
mobilizing necessary resources and technical assistance and
enhancing international cooperation, Qiao said.
The World Bank estimates the total financing gap that needs to be
filled to prepare for, and respond to, avian and human influenza at
roughly US$1.2 billion.
"This gap can only be filled if all sources of external donor
funds are combined and development finance partners work together,"
the World Bank said.
The priority for disbursing grants will go to affected or
high-risk countries, notably Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos,
Mongolia and Viet Nam.
Since the first reports of H5N1 outbreaks in Asia in late 2003,
bird flu has killed or prompted the culling of nearly 140 million
domestic poultry, and has now reached Europe. The fatal strain of
the virus has infected nearly 150 people in six countries, killing
more than half of them.
International decision makers, experts and organizations
yesterday summarized the outcome of a major world meeting in Geneva
in early November that addressed the H5N1 threat, and discussed a
financing framework that identifies a range of mechanisms and
arrangements to support an integrated and coordinated response.
Most of yesterday's sessions were closed to the press.
Vice-Minister Qiao said he expected the meeting to strengthen
partnership among countries.
"The international community should give priority to increasing
support to affected countries and help them build the capabilities
for prevention, control and emergency response," he said.
A long-term strategic partnership should be established among
them, enabling them to share bird flu information in an open,
timely and transparent manner; and increase transparency in
research and development of effective vaccines and antiviral drugs,
he said.
"We live on the same planet and our destinies are
interconnected," Qiao said. "In the fight against avian influenza,
no country can stay safe by looking the other way."
David Nabarro, senior United Nations system coordinator for
avian and human influenza, said the international community has
made headway in working out a comprehensive control strategy,
preventing the infection from spreading to humans, and setting up
international technology networks.
"Unless we are working as one, we won't get a good result,"
Nabarro said. "We are being put to the test like never before
working together. We can reduce death rates and the economic impact
of both avian flu and a future pandemic."
Attending the conference are more than 700 representatives from
100 countries and international organizations.?
(China Daily January 18, 2006)