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.
Although AIDS remains the leading cause of death in Africa, recent dramatic scientific advances convince me that we can end AIDS in Africa. To realize this aim, I call on Africa to ensure a prominent position of AIDS in the next global development framework.
Dr Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa
Ending AIDS is a critical element of Africa’s vision for the sustainable development goals – it will require shared responsibility and global solidarity and even more inclusive approaches.
Mr Assane Diop, Director of Social Development policy division and Special Advisor to the Executive Secretary, UNECA
I am from the generation that never experienced a world without HIV. It is my dream to see how the world feels without AIDS.
Mr Zerihun Mammo, representative of the Pan African Youth Leadership Network of United Nations For Achievement of MDGs
