WJC Heads To Africa
Former President Clinton will make his annual trip to Africa at the end of this month. He is expected to travel to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Liberia, and Senegal, among other nations, to explore the impact of his foundation's projects to treat HIV/AIDS, eliminate malaria and create sustainable development across the continent. The trip will wrap in Mexico City, where Clinton will deliver remarks at the International AIDS Conference. Full release is available after the jump.
New York, NY – The Clinton Foundation today announced that President Clinton will make his yearly visit to Africa at the end of this month to see first-hand the progress of Foundation projects and make major announcements of new efforts that will have a significant impact in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, eliminating malaria, and creating sustainable development across the continent.
“Every year, I am amazed at how much my Foundation has accomplished in such a short amount of time, from helping national governments strengthen overall health systems to implementing programs to alleviate poverty and fight climate change,” President Clinton said. “This year, I am excited to take our work to the next level with new projects that will make a tremendous difference in turning the tide of the HIV/AIDS, improve lives, and help people work toward a brighter future.”
President Clinton and a delegation of leaders travel to Africa each summer to visit with staff and volunteers on the ground and meet people who benefit from the Foundation’s work. This year’s itinerary includes stops in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Liberia, and Senegal, highlighting the work being done by the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Clinton Climate Initiative, the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative, and the Clinton Global Initiative. Four of the Clinton Foundation’s initiatives have staff in more than 20 countries working with local organizations and government partners to address some of the most pressing issues facing African countries today, including the HIV/AIDS pandemic, poverty, and global climate change.
President Clinton first visited Africa in 1998, the longest, most comprehensive trip taken to the continent by any president. The Foundation has been working in Africa since 2002, beginning with the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative which was established with the support of Nelson Mandela. At the end of 2007, CHAI, in partnership with UNITAID, has helped initiate 53,600 children in 24 countries in Africa receive lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment. Through agreements that have significantly lowered the prices of medicines worldwide, 1.24 million people in 36 countries are accessing the antiretroviral treatment they need.
Additionally, the Clinton Climate Initiative works with four large cities in Africa, including Addis Ababa, Lagos, Cairo, and Johannesburg, to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through energy-saving building retrofits, waste management programs, and other large-scale measures. The Clinton Hunter Development Initiative, in partnership with the Hunter Foundation, is investing $100 million over 10 years in Rwanda and Malawi to establish programs that generate sustainable economic growth and alleviate poverty by strengthening health care, agricultural markets, education, and sanitation. Members of the Clinton Global Initiative, another project of the Foundation, have made commitments to support more than 280 projects in 23 countries across the African continent.
The trip will culminate in Mexico City where President Clinton will deliver remarks at the International AIDS Conference. A more detailed schedule will be announced closer to departure.
Press and members of the public are invited to join President Clinton’s journey and pledge their support online at www.clintonfoundation.org.
