Ambassadors urge increased investment in health to end AIDS by 2030 in Africa

Addis Ababa, 27 November 2014- Ahead of the continental World AIDS Day commemorations on 1 December 2014 Ambassadors based in Addis Ababa met to discuss the key priorities for Ending AIDS by 2030.The African Union Commission has already started the process of consultations on the future of the AIDS epidemic that include post 2015 development negotiations, meeting with technical experts in Member States and theevaluation of health policy frameworks that will expire in 2015.These consultations will inform the development of a new continental strategy for ending AIDS, TB and Malaria by 2030.

“Addressing AIDS is a key priority under our African Common African Position on the Post 2015 Development Agenda” said H.E Erastus Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, “To end AIDS by 2030 the African Union Member States will need to invest more domestic resources to ensure sustainability of the responses” he added.

The fundamental pillars of the African Common Position on the 2015 Development Agenda including AIDS, TB and Malaria were all taken into consideration in the report to the Secretary General of the United Nations on the Post 2015 development agenda. All the pillars directly impact on Africa’s ability to address health and development challenges.

“In order to sustain the results in responding to the AIDS epidemic there is need to ensure that there is increased domestic financing for health and increased accountability for resources available” said Ambassador Hamadi Meimou on behalf ofPresident of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Chairperson of the African Union and AIDS Watch Africa, H.E. President Mohamed Ould Abdel-Aziz.

The May 2013 Mauritania Member States experts report and the June 2014 AWA Decision of Heads of State and Government reaffirmed African leaders’ commitment to accelerate innovative domestic financing.

Ending the AIDS epidemic is key priority for the African Continent. This has been clearly articulated at the highest level by Heads of State and Government, including the “Abuja + 12” Special Summit which calls for ‘ending the epidemics of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria’ by 2030. These calls and commitments are consistent with the global pledge to ‘have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS’ in the Millennium Development Goals, and with the targets and commitments in the 2011 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS.
“I am very optimistic that achieving an AIDS free society by 2030 is grounded on realistic expectations. The battle against AIDS and other diseases is surmountable but only if we collectively do our part in marshalling the necessary resources and infrastructure for decent health care on the continent”, said Dr.AbdallaHamdock, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.

Africa has made tremendous progress in tackling the AIDS epidemic. From very few people accessing treatment a decade a ago, Africa is now leading the world in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy, with almost 10 million people on therapy by end of 2013. New HIV infections have declined by 33% and the number of AIDS-related deaths fell by 39% from 2005 to 2013. Since 2009, there has been a 43% decline in new HIV infections among children in the 21 priority countries of the Global Plan in Africa. This year the continental the World AIDS Day is being commemorated under the theme “Getting to Zero in Africa-Africa’s Responsibility, Everyone’s Responsibility.

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For further information contact
Tawanda Chisango | Social Affairs | African Union Commission |Tel: +251115182029 | E-mail: Chisangot@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int |Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dinfo@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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