MEDIA ADVISORY

What: Lunch meeting of the AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) Action Committee of Heads of State and Government followed by a press conference

The working luncheonmeeting which will take place on the sidelines of the AU Heads of State and Government Summit will reflect on the progress made in the first year of the implementation of the Roadmap for Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria (2011-2015).It will also examine the guidelines on the implementation of the Roadmap.

When: 26 May 2013, 1300-1400hrs

Where: African Union Conference Canter and Office Complex, Briefing Room 1, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
Why:
Over the past decade African countries with the leadership from African Union have demonstrated strong political commitment by embracing transformative reforms to address AIDS, TB, Malaria and the broader health and development agenda, as well as by building efficient health and community systems. The AU has also framed a compelling vision for the future of the continent and has developed powerful policy frameworks (Abuja Call) that have resulted in tangible improvement in the health sector.

As a result of this strong continental and national leadership, significant gains have been achieved in Africa in reducing the AIDS, TB and malaria disease burden and in reducing the social and economic impact of the three diseases. The annual number of people newly infected with HIV in Africa has been reduced by 25% since 2001, the number of children acquiring HIV infection has declined by 24% between 2009 and 2011 and the number of people who died from AIDS-related causes was 32% lower in 2011 than in 2005.

Since 2001, nearly 13 million people in Africa have been reached with TB treatment. There are also encouraging signs in the effort to prevent new cases of malaria: the burden of malaria in Africa is down by one third, and eight countries have already achieving the targeted reduction of 75% in the incidence of malaria since 2000. Yet progress must be intensified if continentally and internationally-agreed targets are to be met by African countries by 2015 and sustained beyond the millennium.

The African Union Roadmap, adopted in July 2012, is a response to this challenge. Charting a new course for the Continent’s response to AIDS, TB and malaria, the Roadmap lays a path to bolster African leadership, boost local industry, accelerate regional harmonisation and integration, strengthen systems and promote new forms of development cooperation. The Roadmap demonstrates how Africa is leading a wave of sustainable change in the global AIDS, TB and malaria responses, and the broader health and development agenda, on the way towards an AIDS, TB and malaria-free generation.

One year on, the meeting of Heads of State and Government AWA Action committee will reflect on the progress that have been made in implementing the roadmap as we are in the last 1000 days to the MDG mark. The meeting will also review the practical guidelines that have been drawn to accelerate the progress towards the implementation of the roadmap.

Who:
AU Commission Chairperson, H.E Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZuma
UN Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-Moon
H.E Chairperson of AU/ Chairperson of AWA and Prime Minister of Ethiopia,H.EAto Haile Mariam Desalegne
H.E Helen Sirleaf Johnson, President of Liberia
H.E Armando Guebuza, President of Mozambique
H.E Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of Federal Republic of Nigeria
H.E Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa
H.E Dr Mustapha Sidiki Kaloko, Commissioner for Social Affairs
Executive Director of Global Fund, Dr. Mark Dybul
Ambassador Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS Coordinator, PEPFAR
Mr. Michel Sidibe, UN Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNAIDS

Journalists are required to be accredited for the 21st Summit of the AU to cover this event. Follow the link http://summits.au.int/en/21stsummit/accreditation to register.

For more information, visit http://www.africa-union.org.

For more information contact

Wynne Musabayana I Deputy Head of Division | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission I Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.org | Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Tawanda Chisango I AIDS WATCH AFRICA (AWA) Program Advocacy & Partnership Expert | Social Affairs | African Union Commission I Mobile +251934167052 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
About the African Union
The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. The AU Vision is that of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/

About UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Learn more at: http://www.unaids.org/en/

About The Global Fund
The Global Fund is a unique global public/private partnership dedicated to attracting and disbursing additional resources to prevent and treat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. This partnership between governments, civil society, the private sector and affected communities represents a new approach to international health financing. The Global Fund works in close collaboration with other bilateral and multilateral organisations to supplement existing efforts in dealing with the three diseases.

The programme is attached