Rwandan President will work with fellow leaders to shape the future of the AIDS and development agenda
Geneva, 24 March 2011—In partnership with UNAIDS, the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame will lead a Heads of State event on HIV and broader development issues at the United Nations General Assembly High Level meeting on AIDS in June.
"Extraordinary efforts are needed to achieve results in global health and development, in order to transform the lives of our citizens,” said President Kagame. “As leaders, we will need to be innovative in our approach to these defining issues of our time."
The announcement came following a meeting with the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé who was on an official visit to Rwanda to further collaboration in the response to HIV.
“President Kagame is a visionary and a highly respected world leader,” said Mr Sidibé. “He has been pivotal in turning Rwanda’s AIDS epidemic around. The experience and leadership he will bring to the High Level Meeting discussions in June will be instrumental in bringing AIDS out of isolation and greater country ownership.”
Since President Kagame took up leadership in 2000, HIV prevalence has almost halved and the number of people newly infected with HIV reduced by around 25%.
The Heads of State session will focus on areas such as integrating HIV into broader health and development issues and shared responsibility in responding to the epidemic. Major announcements will include a Pan-African vision for country ownership.
The special event will take place during the High Level Meeting on AIDS from 8-10 June 2011 where leaders will gather to shape the future of AIDS, health and development.
