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Washington, D.C. / Johannesburg, November 29, 2004
– The International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, today launched the
HIV/AIDS Guide for the Mining Sector
as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable development. The guide introduces a new framework for management strategies and workplace prevention, as well as care and outreach programs to help combat the disease.
Based on IFC’s experience in southern Africa, the guide provides information, tools, and case studies for stakeholders and organizations working in the region’s mining communities. It addresses emerging mining companies, trade unions, contactors, and service providers, as well as larger companies with established HIV/AIDS programs and their partners.
In focusing on the mining sector, the guide aims to support a key business driver in southern Africa, an industry that is also one of the hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. At the same time, it provides a model for other industries, including oil and gas, transportation, and construction.
IFC’s Executive Vice President Peter Woicke said, “Thanks to their access to resources and the importance of their public voice, businesses can play an important role in combating HIV/AIDS, especially in times of scarce public resources. The
HIV/AIDS Guide for the Mining Sector
helps them fulfill their corporate social responsibilities and at the same time improve their profitability. It will become an integral part of the
IFC Against AIDS
program.”
Launched in 2000,
IFC Against AIDS
(
www.ifc.org/ifcagainstaids
) helps clients understand the multiple impacts of the disease and provides guidance for corporate HIV/AIDS action plans. IFC’s approach pays special attention to a company’s specific needs and resources, as well as existing corporate experiences and good practices. Through this approach, it enables companies to fight the effects of the disease on their operations and their communities.
The
HIV/AIDS Guide for the Mining Sector
has been supported by a technical assistance grant from the Canadian International Development Agency. It will become available free of charge from IFC in January 2005.
The mission of IFC (
www.ifc.org
) is to promote sustainable private sector investment in developing countries, helping to reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. IFC finances private sector investments in the developing world, mobilizes capital in the international financial markets, helps clients improve social and environmental sustainability, and provides technical assistance and advice to governments and businesses. From its founding in 1956 through FY04, IFC has committed more than $44 billion of its own funds and arranged $23 billion in syndications for 3,143 companies in 140 developing countries. IFC’s worldwide committed portfolio as of FY04 was $17.9 billion for its own account and $5.5 billion held for participants in loan syndications.
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