Macron welcomes world leaders in Lyon for Global Fund summit

Heads of state, CEO's and NGO leaders arrived in Lyon in central France on Wednesday to join a summit organized by French president Macron to seek $14 billion to eradicate aids, tuberculosis and malaria. Niger president, Madagascar President and Cameroon President were among the heads of state to arrive at the Lyon City Hall for the Global Fund Replenishment Conference.

U.S. philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates are also joining the summit, which expects around 1,000 delegates. More than $12 billion were collected at the last Global Fund conference in 2016, held in Canada. Last June, Macron said more had to be done to battle AIDS, and save at least 16 million people around the world. The fund aims to prevent 234 million infections by 2023 and support countries in getting back on track to end HIV, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics.