NEW YORK - The First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, last week, attended the Global Business Coalition Gala banquet in New York.

The GBC’s 10th Anniversary Conference and Awards Dinner was attended by representatives from top global corporations as well as Governments, NGOs and academia.

The GBC Annual Conference is a forum for delving into the most vital topics on business engagement in global health issues. A series of essential plenary sessions on health topics of concern to most global business leaders were the highlight of this year's conference.

Two million dollars was raised during the dinner attended by over 700 guests including former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, American philanthropist Ted Turner, Aigboje Imokhuede, Access Bank CEO and South African singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, the Roll Back Malaria Goodwill Ambassador.

Rwanda was recognised for its remarkable achievements in the fight against AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. The First Lady was especially commended for her tireless efforts in the area.

Mrs. Kagame is a board member of Friends of the Global Fund Africa, which is an advocacy group that works to mobilise resources to contribute to the Global Fund’s efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis.

The GBC on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis represents over 200 private sector companies leading the business fight for improved global health. The GBC helps members achieve their global health goals.

Its work includes developing comprehensive workplace policies, supporting community programs, leveraging core competencies, facilitating leadership and advocacy by business leaders, and brokering public-private partnerships.

Prior to the Awards dinner, a conference was held on June 1st 2011, to focus on the unique role of business in addressing health challenges. During the conference, Jack Kayonga, Managing Director of Rwanda Development Bank, participated in a high-level panel to discuss Innovative Financing for Health. 

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