AUC, UNAIDS sign MoU on better response to HIV/AIDS
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) – The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the aim of establishing a stronger partnership for a better response to HIV/AIDS on the continent.
Under the agreement, the two organisations want to facilitate co-operation and collaboration in all issues with regards to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, management and control, through harmonized and effective responses, in line with the catalytic framework to end HIV, TB and malaria by 2030.
A statement issued by the AUC on Thursday said that Amira Elfadil Mohammed, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, and UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, redefined the areas of collaboration after the signing ceremony.
Elfadil expressed appreciation for the tremendous effort made by UNAIDS to ensure that all stakeholders are aligned in priorities and targets as set in the policy frameworks – AU Agenda 2063, African Health Strategy and Catalytic Framework to End AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria by 2030.
“We must consider the cultural barriers that strain effective behavioural change implementation and in the AU Member States. As you know, the African Union's theme of the year is ’Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want’. It is a strategic time to voicing cultural matters that Africa must address to end AIDS by 2030", said Elfadil.
In response, Byanyima remarked: “Today we mark 22 years of successful collaboration between UNAIDS and the African Union Commission, as we sign a renewed MoU with the Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Department; we set the path for a stronger HIV response in Africa towards our common goal”.
The MOU sets out the framework for cooperation in order to ensure closer collaboration and exchange of information between the AUC and UNAIDS in a manner that creates synergistic relationship and partnership in capacity building initiatives.
-0- PANA AR 18March2021
