Global Leaders Renew Commitments to Achieve Health MDGs

New MDG Health Alliance Hosts Event in Support of "Every Woman, Every Child"

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- World leaders gather Tuesday evening to announce new commitments in support of achieving health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the deadline of December 31, 2015.

"Progress is being made toward a world in which the needs of every woman and every child are met," said United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Malaria and MDG Advocate, Ray Chambers. "Tonight is about harnessing the energy of new partners and new ideas to achieve this vision through the MDGs; we're now in a sprint to achieve the 2015 targets."

Key figures in business, politics, health, culture, and media are fueling a renewed drive to achieve the MDGs by 2015. Among the many global champions announcing their support at the event are political leaders such as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Desmond Tutu, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Princess Cristina of Spain; business leaders including Mukesh Ambani (Reliance Industries) and William Weldon (Johnson & Johnson); and leaders of culture and entertainment including 50 Cent, Deepak Chopra, Jennifer Connolly, Christy Turlington Burns, Youssou N'Dour and Kami (Takalani Sesame Muppet, South Africa's Sesame Street).

"I used to think I woke up from my coma in order to give people the gift of music," said multiplatinum music star 50 Cent. "Now I know my music is merely a platform to reach others in a positive way. It is my personal mission to do more to help those struggling through world hunger and I am committed to providing 1 billion meals for women and children."

Announcements will address landmark goals including achieving near-zero malaria deaths, ending mother to child transmission of HIV, ending child marriage, launching a new effort against the leading killers of children, and recruiting 1 million front-line health workers to provide care in the developing world.

"Women and children are our most vulnerable citizens, but also the ones with the greatest potential to transform the world," said Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization. "By looking through the lens of maternal and child health, we can see our way to new partnerships, bold commitments, and visionary approaches that will make the health MDGs a reality."

Photos from the event will be available at www.WireImage.com.

ABOUT "EVERY WOMAN, EVERY CHILD" RECEPTION
The "Every Woman, Every Child" Reception is hosted by the MDG Health Alliance, a partnership of private sector leaders called by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to help the world achieve the health-related Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The reception will take place Tuesday evening at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Manhattan Ballroom.

Media Contacts:
Aubree Oakes and Jessica Pollack
Sunshine Sachs
[email protected] and [email protected]
212-691-2800

SOURCE Office of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Malaria