The leaders of the major religious groups of Ethiopia announced their united stance to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 during a consultation meeting held on 10 July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In a joint position paper, the religious leaders made a call to the Government of Ethiopia to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity and to advocate for the inclusion of a commitment on ending the AIDS epidemic in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. They also pledged their personal commitment to actively engage in the country’s efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The event was jointly organized by the Ethiopian Interfaith Forum for Development Dialogue and Action and UNAIDS in collaboration with Christian Aid, Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid. It brought together more than 80 participants representing religious institutions, government ministries and civil society, including networks of people living with HIV and youth associations.

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The first of a series in regional dialogues organized by the UNAIDS and Lancet Commission: Defeating AIDS - Advancing global health was held on 3 November in Addis Ababa. One of the main messages that emerged from the consultation was the need to include ambitious and measurable targets towards ending AIDS in the post-2015 development agenda.

Co-convened by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and UNAIDS, the Africa-focused dialogue was held on the margins of the Africa Regional Consultative Meeting on the Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of the consultation was to stimulate debate on how to ensure that the achievements of the AIDS response are carried forward to the new development agenda that is currently being worked on to replace the Millennium Development Goals when they expire in 2015.

Participants included officials from the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, Ministers, Ambassadors, African Members of Parliament, as well as representatives of civil society, including networks of people living with HIV, young people, the private sector, and the UN system and other international organizations.

Over the coming weeks, additional regional dialogues are planned, including for Latin America (18 November), Asia-Pacific (19 November), Southern Africa (7 December) and Eastern Europe-Central Asia (13 December). The outcomes of these dialogues will help inform the recommendations of the UNAIDS and Lancet Commission to be presented in early 2014. 

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Leaders from across Africa and beyond are gathering for a special African Union (AU) summit which marks the 50^th anniversary of unity on the continent.

Meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, from 25-27 May, Heads of State and Government will celebrate achievements spearheaded by the AU and its predecessor the Organisation of African Unity established in 1963.

On Saturday, a Special Commemorative Summit will debate Pan Africanism and the African renaissance and stage an event involving more than 70 world leaders, 15 000 invited guests, a gala dinner hosted by Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and performances from international stars like Salif Keita and Papa Wemba. The following two days are given over to the 21^st Assembly of Heads of State and Government where leaders will help chart Africa’s way forward.

Since it was set up some thirteen years ago, the African Union has worked to ensure the further development of the continent and it is committed to meeting future social, health and economic challenges. This is especially relevant now when there is so much emphasis on the post 2015 development agenda and what this will mean for people, countries and regions.

Highlights

There are several meetings and side-events occurring during the Summit. Today, for example, the African Regional Civil Society Health Platform, the Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Association and the Global Network of People Living with HIV are hosting a roundtable discussion. 

They are joined by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. High on the agenda will be the collective responsibility of ‘Getting to Zero’ (zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths) and keeping health issues central to the post 2015 development agenda. 

There will also be a focus on the implications of the Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria Response in Africa adopted by African leaders last year. The Roadmap is a plan aimed at improving health outcomes and access to affordable high quality medicines, as well as diversifying financing mechanisms. Advancements in the AIDS response in Africa have been considerable in recent years, with ever greater numbers of people on HIV treatment and dramatic reductions in the rate of new HIV infections. The roundtable will look at how these successes can be built upon.   

With the theme of accountability a motif of the summit the African Union Commission, alongside UNAIDS and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), will launch Delivering results towards ending AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa, the first thematic accountability report on the AU-G8 partnership.  It recommends that both bodies exercise greater leadership, especially in the spheres of sustainable financing, access to medicines and human and gender rights.   

The summit also provides an opportunity for AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) to measure partners’ progress in the three key diseases affecting the continent—AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. AWA was founded by African Heads of State in 2001 as a platform for advocacy and accountability.  The outcome of its recent Action Committee meeting will be presented to the 21^st session of the AU Assembly for endorsement and follow up action.  AWA is expected to request that member states develop a sustainable investment plan for health with year on year increases in domestic funding.

According to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the continent has made great strides in the last 50 years and needs now to look to the future. She said, “As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the OAU and AU, we are inspired by their example, and pledge to work together in solidarity for an integrated, people-centred and prosperous Africa, at peace with itself.” 

Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki re-elected as NEPAD’s CEO

GENEVA, 1 February 2013—The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) applauds Senegalese President Macky Sall on his election as chairperson of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development’s (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee. The election took place on the fringes of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The high level body of 20 African leaders provides leadership and policy guidance to NEPAD.

“I congratulate President Sall on his election to this position which is key to the future of health and development in Africa,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. “NEPAD is a critical partner of UNAIDS and is helping to drive the AIDS response forward on the continent.”

NEPAD in close cooperation with the African Union Commission, and with technical support of UNAIDS is developing the first ever accountability report on AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa, under the G8-Africa framework for 2013.

The report will assess progress, achievements and shortcomings in delivering commitments made by Africa and the G8 on the three diseases since African Union Heads of State and Government adopted the Abuja Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Other Infectious Diseases in 2001.

President Sall has been an important supporter of the AIDS response. Under his leadership, Senegal’s HIV response has continued to make progress. HIV prevalence is low and the country has made major efforts in the past five years to scale-up access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

NEPAD members also re-elected Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki as Chief Executive Officer. The former Prime Minister of Niger has had a pivotal role in developing the African Union Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity which calls for innovative solutions to accelerate the response to AIDS, TB and malaria.

Last year, UNAIDS and NEPAD signed a memorandum of understanding calling for strategic collaboration to advance sustainable responses to HIV, health and development across Africa.

The Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) came together on 28 January to mark its 10-year anniversary and held its annual Extra Ordinary General Assembly on the side-lines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé attended the anniversary luncheon and congratulated the organization for its contribution to the AIDS response.

OAFLA was established in 2002 by 37 First Ladies from Africa committed to take action against AIDS and improve the lives of women, young people and children. Women account for 58% of people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.

The First Ladies of Africa, together with national partners have launched many high impact campaigns, including ‘FLAME’ which kicked off in 2011 in nine countries to promote the virtual elimination of new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive.

Led by the First Lady of Namibia, Penehupifo Pohamba, OAFLA currently has 40 First Ladies from the continent as signatories to the organization.

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Michel Sidibe meeting with Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn in the Prime Minister's Office, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on December 17, 2012
Credit: UNAIDS/A.Fiorente 

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé congratulated the country on the dramatic decline in new HIV infections it has achieved during the past ten years on 17 December, while on an official visit to Ethiopia. Between 2001 and 2011, the rate of new HIV infections in Ethiopia among adults has been reduced by 90%.

“This drop in new HIV infections is a huge breakthrough,” said Mr Sidibé. “Ethiopia’s achievement demonstrates to the world that it is possible to prevent HIV in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Mr Sidibé met with Ethiopia’s new Prime Minister Haile Mariam Desalegn, who took over as the country’s leader when Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi died in August this year. UNAIDS Executive Director congratulated Prime Minister Haile Mariam on his appointment and expressed confidence that he will continue the legacy of his predecessor, who was known as an important advocate for the AIDS response.

Prime Minister Haile Mariam said that his country’s development agenda was people centered and that it was designed to improve the health status of families with their full participation, using local technologies and community skills and wisdom.

Mr Sidibé called on the prime minister, as the incoming Chairperson of the African Union and as the chair of AIDS Watch Africa (AWA), to strengthen AWA as an accountability mechanism. Mr Sidibé also asked for the prime minister’s help in translating into action a new roadmap adopted by African heads of State at the 19th summit of the African Union held in Addis Ababa in July. The roadmap charts a new course for the continent’s responses to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria and emphasizes the importance of shared responsibility and global solidarity.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Tedros Adhanom, acknowledged the support of UNAIDS in helping Ethiopia make a dramatic reduction in new HIV infections. He also stressed that the new road map on shared responsibility was an innovative approach that encouraged African leaders to own the transformation of health responses on their continent.

While Ethiopia has made huge progress in reducing new HIV infections, it still faces challenges in stopping new HIV infections among children. UNAIDS’ latest World AIDS Day Report finds only 24% of pregnant women living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy to reduce HIV transmission. Mr Sidibé met with Dr Kesetebirhan Admassu, Minister of Health, who briefed him on the country’s new accelerated plan for eliminating new HIV infections in children and providing paediatric antiretroviral treatment to children. Dr Kesetebirhan Admassu emphasized that preventing new HIV infections among children will be given more focus in Ethiopia’s health programme.

During his one day visit to Ethiopia, Mr Sidibé also met with Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Commission, Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko. The Commissioner requested UNAIDS support to the African Union Commission in developing a cross-cutting programme for the AIDS response involving all sectors of the African Union Commission.

Mr Sidibé met with Commissioner for Peace and Security at the African Union Commission, Ramtane Lamamra and called for the commissioner’s support in pushing for the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1983, which was adopted in June 2011. The resolution calls for HIV prevention efforts among uniformed services to be aligned with efforts to end sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé (standing) consults with Mr Jean Ping, Chair of the African Union Commission (left), and President Boni Yayi of Bénin, AU Chair and Chair of AIDS Watch Africa, at a breakfast meeting on 14 July in Addis Ababa. Photo: UNAIDS/J.Ose

Addressing more than 20 African high-level officials at a meeting today in Addis Ababa, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) as a leader in HIV responses across the African continent. The meeting, hosted by AWA’s action committee, was held on the eve of the 19^th African Union (AU) Summit.

"Africa needs AWA now more than ever,” said Mr Sidibé. “We need AWA to cultivate a common voice in Africa—one that embraces AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), malaria and other health challenges. We need AWA to provide oversight of health investments and to leverage those investments for broader development.”
Established by eight Heads of State and Government in 2001, AWA was originally designed as a platform for advocacy and accountability in Africa’s AIDS response. To date, its committee has played an important role in keeping AIDS high on the development agenda and in mobilizing domestic and international resources for HIV and health. In January 2012, AWA’s mandate was expanded to include TB and malaria, and its representation was broadened continent-wide.

Speaking alongside Mr Sidibé, Dr Boni Yayi, Chair of AWA and President of the Republic of Bénin, said that reversing the spread of HIV, TB and malaria in Africa would demand political will, leadership and shared responsibility. “We must redouble our efforts to prevent new infections and deaths linked to these diseases. The time has come to transform policy into action,” said Dr Yayi, who also serves as Chair of the African Union.

A new Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity provides clear parameters for such action. Developed by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), with support from UNAIDS, the Roadmap offers practical solutions to enhance sustainable responses to AIDS, TB and malaria in Africa.

Structured around three strategic pillars—diversified financing, health governance and access to medicines—the Roadmap was reviewed and endorsed at today’s meeting by AWA committee members. It will be presented for adoption at the upcoming AU Summit. 

"Effective fund mobilization and disbursement and access to treatment are critical for our response, which requires political leadership," said Mr Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad. "We must therefore stay committed to ensure that Africa does not suffer any longer." 

Partnering with African legislators

Following the breakfast meeting, Mr Sidibé signed, on behalf of UNAIDS, a joint memo of understanding (MoU) with the Pan African Parliament calling for strategic partnership to advance sustainable responses to HIV. The MoU provides a platform for the two parties to join forces and advance a shared goal of “getting to zero.”

“As people’s representatives, legislators have a duty to remove obstacles that hamper universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. By partnering with legislators, we can close inequity gaps and get to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths,” said the UNAIDS Executive Director.

Through this partnership, UNAIDS will work with legislators from across Africa, empowering them with up-to-date knowledge and information on HIV. Legislators, in turn, will become high-level advocates for the HIV response; they will work to ensure accountability, push through non-discrimination laws and encourage governments to commit the necessary resources. Preventing new HIV infections among children will be a key area of focus for the two agencies.

“PAP can be a great ally in supporting accountability, appropriate resource allocation, challenging stigma and discrimination, and realizing access to affordable and high quality HIV medicines on the continent,” said Hon Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi, the President of Pan African Parliament, following the MoU signing with Mr Sidibé.

NEPAD meeting

Later in the day, the UNAIDS Executive Director addressed the 27th Summit of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee. He presented the new Roadmap and congratulated the AUC and NEPAD for taking the lead in developing it. “Through this Roadmap, African leaders are charting a new course towards shared responsibility and global solidarity,” said the UNAIDS Executive Director.

During the meeting, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD, presented a progress report on the work of NEPAD. Emphasizing NEPAD's critical partnership with UNAIDS, he said the two agencies would continue to collaborate closely on the planning and implementation of AIDS responses across the continent.

First Lady of Namibia and OAFLA President Penehupifo Pohamba (pictured left) at the 11th OAFLA General Assembly, together with the First Lady of Chad, Hinda Déby Into (centre) and the Ethiopian First Lady, Azeb Mesfin.
Credit: UNAIDS/J.Ose

Speaking at the 11^th General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) on 30 January, Madame Penehupifo Pohamba, First Lady of Namibia, identified the prevention of new HIV infections among children as a key objective for her new term as President of OAFLA.

Madame Pohamba noted that in most African countries, lack of male involvement in sexual and reproductive health programmes is a challenge. She urged her fellow First Ladies to launch a continent-wide campaign to encourage the participation of male partners in efforts to stop new HIV infections in children.

“Let us conduct this campaign under the theme, An HIV-free generation tomorrow needs caring men and women today,” said the Namibian First Lady. “I believe that zero HIV infections among new born babies is an achievable goal,” she added.

Mrs Ban Soon-taek, wife of the United Nations Secretary-General, highlighted in her remarks the growing momentum and support for the goal of an HIV-free generation. “Around the world, in developing and developed countries, in the North and in the South, in the streets of communities and the halls of governments, people know that no child should be born with HIV,” said Mrs Ban.

According to the latest data from UNAIDS, WHO and UNICEF, there has been considerable progress over the past decade in reducing new HIV infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 350 000 children were newly infected with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa in 2010 compared to about 500 000 children in 2001—a 30% reduction. An estimated 230 000 children died from AIDS-related causes in 2010, down from about 320 000 in 2005.

In his keynote address at the OAFLA General Assembly, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé applauded the First Ladies for their collective action in the HIV response across the continent. He said that through the strong leadership and advocacy of OAFLA members, 12 of 22 high burden countries in Africa had launched accelerated national plans to stop HIV transmission from mother to child. “The results of your efforts are increasingly visible and are making a difference in the lives of women, youth and children across Africa,” said Mr Sidibé.

Expressing concern over Africa’s dependency on external aid, the UNAIDS Executive Director requested the support of OAFLA members in mobilizing funding from local sources for HIV prevention, treatment and care. “Working with leaders of your countries, we need to focus all efforts on the issue of sustainable funding for the AIDS response. We must advocate for new partnerships with the private sector,” said Mr Sidibé.

According to a new UNAIDS issues brief — “AIDS dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions”—an estimated two-thirds of AIDS expenditures in Africa come from international funding sources. The vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in Africa are imported from generic manufacturers.