AFN to Participate in first HIV/TB Global Leaders’ Forum

OTTAWA, June 9 – Regional Chief Angus Toulouse is representing the Assembly of First Nations at the first HIV/TB Global Leader’s Forum, held today in New York.

The high rates of TB/HIV among indigenous peoples is expected to be a topic of concern at the forum. Globally, the 370 million Indigenous peoples in 80 countries are among the poorest and most marginalized communities and where data are available, suffer a burden of TB 20-30 times and HIV 10 times the non-indigenous rates.”These are two areas of health that First Nations leaders are very concerned about,” says Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. “We are pleased to be a part of this important forum and to join in a global call for action on HIV and TB.”

The Forum signals the first time heads of government, public health and business leaders, heads of UN agencies and activists will meet at UN Headquarters to confront a global health threat that could undermine investments in life-saving drug treatment for people living with HIV.

This first HIV/TB Global Leaders’ Forum will take place Monday, 9 June 2008, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the UN Conference Room 2, UN Headquarters, New York.

Regional Chief Angus Toulouse will be available to Media from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm EST.

For further information: Karyn Pugliese, AFN Communications, (613) 292-1877, kpugliese@afn.ca