Tokyo, 12 October 2014 - Discussions on Japan’s possible adoption of the innovative air ticket levy continued today in Tokyo at a symposium to commemorate the launch of the Second Terashima Commission.  The Commission, a multi-sectoral coalition advocating for Japan to agree to the Solidarity Levy, includes parliamentarians, academics, civil society groups, trade unions, private sector and international organizations. Delegates were urged to help convince Japanese authorities that the country should come on board and implement the air ticket cooperation charge, as a first step to a wider but more complex contribution such as through the Financial Transaction Tax.  The campaign has already received widespread support under the leadership of the Parliamentary group chaired by Mr Seishiro Eto and been actively promoted by Mr Michihiro Ishibashi with the crucial support of Mr Tetsuji Tanaka from the International Solidarity Levy group (ISL).

Geneva – 09 October 2014 UNITAID has released the second edition of its TB Medicines Technology and Market Landscape, detailing current shortcomings in the tuberculosis (TB) medicines market and opportunities to improve access to lifesaving TB treatment.

Although largely curable, TB remains a serious threat to global public health and a leading cause of death, particularly among people co-infected with HIV and women of reproductive age. TB is also one of the top 10 causes of death in children.

Geneva – 26 September 2014. UNITAID releases today its 2014 Tuberculosis Diagnostics Technology and Market Landscape, detailing the promising pipeline of products and technologies to diagnose tuberculosis (TB). The report highlights current and emerging technologies from over 80 manufacturers and developers, including products which are smaller, simpler and easier to use in decentralized settings than the current tools used by the majority of high-burden TB countries.

24th September 2014 - Chair of the UNITAID Executive Board and United Nations Secretary General's Special Advisor on Innovative Financing for Development, Philippe Douste-Blazy, gave an opening address at the Leading Group on Innovative Financing for Development in New York.  The event's theme was "Innovative financing: a solution to diversify the financial toolbox for sustainable development and the climate".