First meeting of Clinton Global Initiative draws funding and attention for development issues

The foundation established by former US President Bill Clinton launched its Global Initiative by holding its first meeting in New York City to discuss strategies for addressing poverty and its affects on the AIDS pandemic, as well as other prominent development issues. The meeting coincided with the 2005 World Summit being held at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City where strategies for achieving the Millennium Goals were discussed.

Several heads of state and other leaders from the business sector attended the meeting, including UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, South African President Thabo Mbeki, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, and Mozambican President Armando Guebuza. At the conclusion of the three-day summit more than US$1 billion were committed to various development goals around the world, including direct investments into projects targeting women and children affected by the AIDS pandemic.

Clinton's foundation has also been active in negotiating lower prices for antiretroviral treatment and securing funding for treatment programs in Africa and Asia.