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African
common position for the UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS)
on HIV/AIDS
Interagency
Coalition on AIDS and Development
May 05,
2006
We, the Heads
of State of Member States of the African Union meeting in Abuja
from 2 - 4 May 2006, on the occasion of the Special Summit of
the African Union on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM)
with the theme ‘Universal Access to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria Services by a United Africa by 2010’ with the aim of
reviewing the 2000 and 2001 Abuja Declarations and Plans
of Action on Malaria, and HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related
Infectious Diseases respectively;
Recalling the outcomes of Abuja April 2001 Africa
Summit on HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis, and Other Related Infectious Diseases (ORID)
in which the following
priority areas were identified:
- Leadership
at national, regional and continental levels to mobilize society
as a
whole to fight HIV/AIDS, TB and ORID;
- Resource
Mobilization;
- Protection
of Human Rights;
- Poverty,
Health and Development;
- Strengthening
Health Systems;
- Prevention;
- Improvement
of Information, Education and Communication;
- Access to
Treatment, Care and Support;
- Access to
Affordable Drugs and Technologies;
- Research
and Development on HIV/AIDS, TB and ORID, including Vaccines,
- Traditional
Medicines and Indigenous Knowledge; Partnership;
Recognizing
the commitment made by the 2005 World Summit on the
review of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to full implementation
of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and to developing
a comprehensive package of HIV prevention, treatment, care and support
with the aim of coming as close to possible to achieving universal
access to treatment by 2010, for all who need it;
Also recalling our request made at the January
2006 Khartoum AU Assembly for an African Common Position
to be prepared as Africa’s contribution to the forthcoming UN
General Assembly Special Session on AIDS to be held in May/June
2006;
Welcoming the Resolution on HIV vaccine adopted
by the Conference of Health Ministers from East, Central, and
Southern Africa (ECSA) Region in February 2006; Further
recognizing that despite all actions taken by African Member
States and other stakeholders, the number of people living with
HIV infection increased from 24.9 in 2003 to 26.5 million to date;
and that this compounded by the burden of TB, malaria and other
infectious diseases;
Aware that the overwhelming majority of HIV infections
are sexually transmitted or associated with pregnancy, childbirth
and breastfeeding; and that women and youths are disproportionately
affected;
Also aware of the fifth anniversary of the
United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS
will be marked by a review and high-level meeting as provided for
in the General Assembly resolution A/RES/60/224;
Endorsing the Gaborone Declaration on A Roadmap
Towards Universal Access to Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support;
and adopting the Brazzaville Commitment on
Scaling Up Towards Universal Access to HIV and AIDS Prevention,
Treatment, Care and Support;
Also Endorsing the WHO Maputo Resolution,
which declared 2006 as the Year for Acceleration HIV Prevention
in the African Region;
Noting that AIDS financial and human resources
especially in the health sector at domestic level remain limited
and that most African governments have not met the 15% budgetary
allocation target;
Also Noting with appreciation the additional resources
directed to the fight against AIDS by African governments and partners,
as well as, the promise of significant additional resources from
multilateral and bilateral donors to combat poverty and foster development,
including by intensifying support to the fight against HIV/AIDS;
Aware that stigma and discrimination negates the
human rights of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, and still
constitute a major barrier to an effective response to the HIV/AIDS
pandemic;
Also Recognizing that HIV/AIDS is also cross border
issue and that there is need for coordination and sharing of experiences
in the responses and the need to strengthen Regional Economic Commissions;
Deeply concerned that:
- Despite considerable
efforts by national governments supported by partners
including civil society, HIV/AIDS continues to be one of the leading
causes of
morbidity and mortality and continues to cause considerable economic
losses in
the continent exacting an ever increasing toll on our people,
especially young
people, women and children
- Funding,
especially external funding is neither predictable nor sustainable;
- The chronic
shortage of health care workers is hampering efforts to combat
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, and in Africa south of the
Sahara, which has 24% of the global disease burden and only 3%
of the health care workforce;
- The feminization
of HIV/AIDS in Africa due to gender inequality, low socio- economic
status of women and gender-based violence, scaling up universal
access to prevention, treatment, care and support should prioritize
gender equality, women social and economic empowerment and prevention
of gender- based violence
- Access to
medicines and commodities remains poor and that, to date, there
is no proven cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS and that HIV prevention
remains a mainstay of any effective response;
- The susceptibility
of vulnerable groups such as women, children, and uniformed services
to the spread of HIV/AIDS, and the need to scale up the response
to underserved and marginalized groups, such as, people in conflict
situations, displaced people, sex and migratory workers, etcetera
- Extreme poverty
and low levels of education are prevalent in nearly all nations
and are the underlying causes of the high burden of disease
- An increasing
number of orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS have no childhood
and are often deprived of their rights to education, options for
the future and protecting against exploitation and abuse
Appreciating
the role of other sectors beyond health in the AIDS response and
the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach that balances
prevention, treatment, care and support for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis,
and malaria;
Acknowledging the need for research and development;
and monitoring and evaluation for an effective response;
Recalling and Reaffirming our previous Declarations,
Decisions and Resolutions;
Opportunities/Driving Forces for Intensified Actions
Africa is optimistic about the future. It feels that it can do more
in all areas of socioeconomic development. Progress made in the
last five years is solid foundation for deepening the struggle against
the HIV/AIDS epidemic and registering more success stories.
Particularly, the following are impetus towards the process of scaling-up
HIV prevention, treatment and care in the continent:
- The
political will and commitment expressed by the leadership at various
levels;
- The
progress made by some countries in improving access to treatment,
care, and support, including ART, as well as access to infrastructure,
technologies, and commodities;
- The
expansion of DOTS services for TB patients in most countries which
contributes to AIDS prevention and treatment;
- The
achievements of some countries in reducing HIV prevalence;
- The
bold action exercised across all sectors and levels of government
to address the burden of HIV/AIDS requires;
- The
lessons learnt from the ‘3 by 5’ Initiative, the DOTS
strategy and the Roll Back Malaria movement to expand the progress
in increasing access to quality prevention, care and support services
for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria control;
- The
integration and reinforce of prevention, treatment and care for
HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria towards the attainment of Millennium
Development Goal No 6, with the focus on prevention, especially
for young people;
- The
essential role that good nutrition and food security play in HIV
prevention, treatment, and care
- The
added value and opportunities provided by GFATM, MAP, PEPFAR,
ADB and other global health partnerships, private foundations,
bilateral and multilateral partners in terms of innovative financing
mechanisms and making additional resources available;
- The
cancellation of debt by the G8 countries offers the potential
for poverty- reduction and for resources to be committed to health
in some countries;
- The
fundamental role of intensified research and development efforts
in all areas particularly traditional medicine and microbicides;
- The
evidence that effective control of HIV/AIDS has high economic
benefits;
- Evidence
that national and international effort is beneficial, based on
the "three ones" initiatives and the recommendations
of the Global Task Team on Improving AIDS Coordination Among Multilateral
Institutions and International Donors;
- Partnerships
between the public sector and civil society etcetera to be developed.
Guiding
Principles to which Africa will adhere:
Africa will continue to adhere to the following important guiding
principles to effectively and efficiently implement the Abuja 2006
Action Plan and as well continue to:
- Build on
existing international and continental frameworks, such as the
NEPAD programme;
- Foster and
strengthen community, national, regional and continental leadership
and strong political commitment that builds on and strengthens
existing African institutions at all levels, including civil society
institutions;
- Integrate
the control of HIV/AIDS with broader efforts to combat poverty
and food insecurity and fostering development, whilst recognizing
the urgency and exceptionality of the HIV and AIDS response;
- Respect of
human rights, particularly the rights of women and children, with
regard to the fight against stigma and discrimination and to advance
equity will be promoted;
- Put people
at the centre of the HIV and AIDS response, especially vulnerable
people (e.g. the poor; women, young people; orphans and vulnerable
children; men who have sex with men; migrants; prisoners; sex
workers; the disabled, people affected by conflicts; and Injection
Drug Users (IDUs);
- Adopt gender-centred
approaches in order to address the needs of women and girls
- Focus on
HIV prevention, care and support of children and young people;
viii. Ensure mutual accountability (political, moral and programmatic)
at every level of the response;
- Maintain
an unwavering commitment to deliver a comprehensive package of
services for prevention, treatment, care and support for HIV and
AIDS, including nutrition and linkages with reproductive health.
Ensuring that no good plan go unfunded;
- Reinforce
and strengthen the central role of strategic partnerships among
countries; and within countries between governments and civil
society, especially people living with HIV, faith-based organizations,
women, young people and the private sector, and which require
effective coordination;
- Recognize
and respond to the need to build long-term infrastructure and
systems and strengthening capacity building at all levels, using
as appropriate, the resources available for an exceptional response
to HIV/AIDS;
- Consider
access to essential medicines and other basic commodities as human
right and ensuring that these are available and accessible to
all who need it in Africa;
- Give special
consideration to people and countries affected by conflicts, including
Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and refugees; and
- Urges for
sustained and increased funding and capacity for AIDS vaccine
research and development in Africa, in order to contribute to
the control and eventual elimination of the AIDS pandemic.
Targets
to be met by 2010
Taking the above opportunities into account, Member Sates of
the African Union will intensify the fight against HIV/AIDS
and achieve other internationally agreed goals on health. The national
policies, strategies and operational plans will be geared towards
achieving the following targets by 2010. The African Union
and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) will continue
to provide the necessary support wherever possible promote regional
integration and play its leadership role.
The targets to be met by 2010 include the following:
- Reduce HIV
prevalence in young people between 15 and 24 years, by at least
25% in ALL African countries
- Protect and
support in 2010, 5 million children orphaned by AIDS and ensure
that 80% of orphans and vulnerable children have access to basic
services.
- At least
80% of pregnant women have access to Prevention of Mother-To-Child
Transmission (PMTCT), and treatment for HIV-positive women
and children.
- At least
80% access of those in need, particularly children, have access
to HIV/AIDS treatment, especially antiretroviral, as well as care
and support.
Supported
by the following:
- At least
80% of target populations access Voluntary Counseling and Testing
(VCT)
- 100% of blood
and blood products are safe to reduce the rate of transmission
of HIV/AIDS
- 100% injection
safety is ensured
- At least
80% of target populations have access to prevention and treatment
of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
- At least
80% of target population use condoms for HIV prevention ensured
- 100% of refugees
and other displaced persons have access to HIV/AIDS prevention,
treatment, care and support when these are available to surrounding
host populations
- 100% of all
clients accessing HIV care and support services are screened for
TB to ensure early detection and treatment
- 100% of TB
patients have access to HIV testing and counseling services
- 100% of HIV-positive
TB patients access antiretroviral treatment
- 100% access
to sexual and reproductive health services including antenatal
care
1. Since progress
towards these bold collective goals can only be assured through
decisive action at the country level, we commit to:
- As appropriate,
develop or revise our national HIV/AIDS plans to ensure that they
- Are costed
and credible, yet sufficiently ambitious to ensure progress towards
our collective goals;
- Strengthen
planning, monitoring and evaluation and the generation of information
for quality, sustainability and accountability of programmes,
and for advocacy;
- Ensure that
strategies promote access to prevention, treatment, care and support
for HIV/AIDS by poor and marginalized populations, including those
affected by conflict.
- Reflect an
allocation of domestic resources commensurate with the urgent
and extraordinary challenge to development that the AIDS epidemic
represents.
- Enable at
least 50% of HIV patients to benefit from care and support, including
the treatment of opportunistic infections as well as psychological
care;
- By December
2006, include revised, quantified national targets (both interim
for 2008 and for 2010) for prevention, PMTCT, AIDS treatment and
care and support that are consistent with and contribute to the
Africa wide targets articulated above.
Specifically,
We African Heads of State and Government undertake to:
- Provide
bold and resolute leadership in spearheading efforts in all countries
to combat HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria;
- Implement,
in all countries, the commitments adopted at the Special Summit
in Abuja, Nigeria in 2006;
- Support
the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation of country-specific
frameworks adopted by the Special Summit;
- Allocate
and manage effectively the domestic resources required for sustained
implementation of planned HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria prevention
and control interventions;
- Engage
further with development partners to mobilize additional resources
towards meeting the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (CMH)
recommended target of US$34 per capita on health;
- Increase
support for research, including developing vaccines, new medicines
and other tools including traditional medicines, improving existing
technologies to combat the diseases, undertaking operational research
such as testing delivery strategies and monitoring drug resistance
and drug adverse reactions
- Reduce
by 80%, the tariffs and taxes on essential medicines and HIV/AIDS
related technologies and commodities;
- Conduct
an audit of existing legislation and as appropriate, develop,
implement and enforce policies and laws to reduce stigma and discrimination,
protect the rights of people living with HIV and address the needs
of vulnerable groups especially women and children and support
these with advocacy campaigns;
- Establish
a national systems of accountability comprising inter alia, civil
society and parliamentarians to carry out oversight functions
and ensure transparency, accountability and good governance in
the management of the HIV response;
2. And
at the continental level, we commit ourselves to:
- Strengthen
the advocacy role of the AIDS Watch Africa (AWA) in co-ordinating
the efforts of African leaders and mobilising resources from within
and outside Africa;
- Utilize and
strengthen the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) on
health and establish clear linkages between the APRM and the national
systems of accountability and to regularly review progress within
the established mechanisms of the African Union;
- Member States
are urged to adopt the Abuja 2006 common position for the continent
in order to inform and strengthen their own plans of action in
the framework of the 2001 Abuja Declaration and Plan
of Action. In the same vein, the African Union and
Regional Economic Communities should make close follow-
up the development and implementation of national Action Plans
of Member States and Mechanisms for Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Deploy financial
and human resources – integrated in health and social systems
- and create the enabling environment for the establishment of
three (3) regional training and accreditation centres aimed at
rapidly overcoming the human resource crises in HIV/AIDS and broader
health service delivery in the African region;
- Deploy financial
and human resources and create the enabling environment for the
establishment of 3 regional centres of excellence for the development
and local production of antiretrovirals, condoms, vaccines, microbicides
and other HIV/AIDS related commodities and technologies.
- Develop and
strengthen inter-country cooperation through regional and sub-regional
strategies for HIV/AIDS, prevention, treatment, care and support
across borders and migratory routes, giving special consideration
to conflict affected and displaced persons
3.With
the view to ensuring that no sound national HIV/AIDS plan goes unfunded,
request that:
The international community reaffirm its commitment to strengthening
the partnership with Africa for the fight against HIV/AIDS
- The donor
community and health development partners increase HIV allocations
to African countries by replenishing the Global Fund Against HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria
- The donor
community increases their support to enable countries to access
the technical assistance they require from strengthened national
and regional responses in line with the Global Task Team
(GTT) recommendations through the United Nations System.
- The World
Bank through the Multi-Country AIDS Programme (MAP) increase
their support for the national mobilization of sub-Saharan African
countries against the AIDS epidemic
- Bilateral
organizations such as the US President’s Emergency Fund for
AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), other members of the G8, the European
Union, the Nordic countries and the United Nations System
increase their ongoing technical and financial support towards
combating HIV in Africa
- Development
partners to work with AU Member States, the African Union
Commission and the RECs to assure long term, predictable
finance commensurate with the burden of these diseases and to
provide financial and technical support to our efforts in a coordinated,
efficient and country-led manner.
Finally,
We, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, mandate:
- The AU Chairman,
H.E. President Sassou Nguesso, to present the Common Position
at the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS
in New York from 31st May – 2nd June 2006 and H.E. President Olusegun
Obasanjo, Host of the Special, to present the Common Position
to the Ordinary AU Assembly in July 2006, Banjul, The Gambia;
- The AU
Commission is mandated to develop an implementation plan
for Africa’s Common Position as adopted at the Special
Summit in Abuja, Nigeria in May 2006, and coordinate and
monitor its execution. In this regard, the Commission shall collaborate
and consult with the Bureau of the AU Conference of Ministers
of Health, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other
stakeholders, and submit annual reports to the AU Assembly.
- The Chairperson
of the AU Commission in collaboration with the Executive
Secretaries of the Regional Economic Communities to organise
a broadly consultative 2-year Review (2008) and a similarly consultative
5- year review
(2010) of the status of implementation of the African Common
Position on HIV/AIDS concurrently with the reviews of the
Abuja Call for Accelerated Action Towards Universal Access
to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
Services by 2010; and of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDGs)
Interagency
Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD)
Coalition interagence sida et développement (CISD)
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Tel/Télép (613) 233-7440 ex13
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