Myanmar has almost achieved the national target of eliminating
leprosy as a public health problem. The country has reached this
stage with an exceptional level of political commitment and
outstanding coordination among the many partners. Myanmar is a
country blessed with a diversity of ethnic groups. At the same time
it is a country that has had to face many difficult social
conditions. In spite of these difficulties, the people in Myanmar,
with their strong will and determination, have traveled together to
within sight of the goal. We should all acknowledge this effort.

The collaboration between The Nippon Foundation, the Sasakawa
Memorial Health Foundation and the Government of Myanmar began in
1976 with a contribution of 9 million DDS tablets. Our
collaboration has continued for the last 26 years, with a major
increase from 1991 onward that coincided with the intensification
of elimination activities in the country. This support not only
covers direct elimination efforts, but includes donations of 4000
bicycles for midwives as well. To date, the two foundations have
offered the equivalent of 20.3 million dollars to support leprosy
elimination in Myanmar, most of which passed through WHO. From the
very beginning, we acknowledged the well-established technical
leadership in the leprosy program. I am certain that this, in
combination with the country's political leadership, enabled the
program to fully involve grass-roots field workers, notably
midwives, and to coordinate well with NGOs.

It is my life's goal to see a world without leprosy. Elimination,
therefore, is an important first step toward this goal. In a 100-
mile journey, finishing the first 99 miles is no better than
finishing the first 50. Let us build a firm and broad solidarity
among all the partners as we walk the final mile. We have the
cooperation of WHO, governments, international agencies, the World
Bank, Novartis and local and international NGOs. Some, like the
ILEP agencies, have worked in the field of leprosy for a long time,
while numerous others, including non-leprosy NGOs, are joining us.
We are no doubt all very different. To achieve our common goal
however, we must bring out the best in all of our partners. If the
commitment to our common goal is strong, that will become our
biggest strength. It goes without saying that it is important to
share our knowledge and information in this fight. And it is
imperative that this knowledge and information be widely
disseminated to the general public. In this third meeting of the
Global Alliance for the Elimination of Leprosy I look forward to
seeing further development of our collaboration, by which we will
emancipate humankind from this centuries-old disease.