>----------------------------------------------------------------------- > > INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN AIDS NETWORK (IAAN) > [log in to unmask] > > > Information Release > > ABUJA DECLARATION ON HIV/AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND > OTHER RELATED INFECTIOUS DISEASES > >April 27, 2001 > >----------------------------------------------------------------------- > >http://www.oau-oua.org/afrsummit/HIV-AIDS%20TB%20ORID%20ABUJA%20DECLARATION.htm > >ABUJA DECLARATION ON HIV/AIDS, >TUBERCULOSIS AND OTHER RELATED INFECTIOUS DISEASES > >We, the Heads of State and Government of the Organisation of African Unity >(OAU) met in Abuja, Nigeria from 26-27 April 2001, at a Special Summit >devoted specifically to address the exceptional challenges of HIV/AIDS, >Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases, at the invitation of >H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in >accordance with the agreement reached at the Thirty-Sixth Ordinary Session >of our Assembly in Lomi, Togo from 10 to 12 July 2000. > >2. We gathered in Abuja to undertake a critical review and assessment of >the situation and the consequences of these diseases in Africa, and to >reflect further on new ways and means whereby we, the leaders of our >Continent, can take the lead in strengthening current successful >interventions and developing new and more appropriate policies, practical >strategies, effective implementation mechanisms and concrete monitoring >structures at national, regional and continental levels with a view to >ensuring adequate and effective control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and >Other Related Infectious Diseases in our Continent. > >3. We are deeply concerned about the rapid spread of HIV infection in our >countries and the millions of deaths caused by AIDS, Tuberculosis and >other related infectious diseases throughout the Continent, in spite of >the serious efforts being made by our countries to control these diseases. >Africa is exceptionally afflicted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This >generalised epidemic is affecting a wide cross-section of our people, thus >decimating the adult population, the most productive group, and leaving in >its wake millions of orphans, and disrupted family structures. > >4. We recognize the role played by poverty, poor nutritional conditions >and underdevelopment in increasing vulnerability. We are concerned about >the millions of African children who have died from AIDS and other >preventable infectious diseases. We are equally concerned about the >particular and severe impact that these diseases have on children and >youth who represent the future of our continent, the plight of millions of >children orphaned by AIDS and the impact on the social system in our >countries. > >5. We are particularly concerned about the high incidence of mother to >child transmission, especially given the challenges of infant >breastfeeding in the context of HIV infection on the continent. > >6. We recognize that special efforts are required to ensure that Africa's >children are protected from these pandemics and their consequences and >that the full and effective participation of young people in prevention >and control programmes is essential to their success. > >7. We recognise that biologically, women and girls are particularly >vulnerable to HIV infection. In addition, economic and social >inequalities and traditionally accepted gender roles leave them in a >subordinate position to men. > >8. We appreciate the special needs and challenges of the HIV/AIDS >pandemic for the youth that make them vulnerable to infection and adverse >impacts of the epidemic. > >9. We recognize that the practice of injectable drug abuse with sharing >of contaminated needles in some African countries is a major concern. The >abuse of alcohol, marijuana and other mind-altering drugs, which is on the >increase among the youth further enhances their vulnerability to HIV >infection. > >10. We recognize the essential place that education, in its widest sense >has played and will continue to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS in >Africa. Education constitutes the most powerful, cost effective tool for >reaching the largest number of people with information and personal >development strategies that promote long-term behaviour change. > >11. We acknowledge that forced migrations due to war, conflicts, natural >disasters and economic factors including unilateral sanctions imposed on >some African countries, lead to an increased vulnerability and the spread >of the disease; we note that special attention should be given to >migrants, mobile populations, refugees and internally displaced persons in >national and regional policies. We also note that special attention >should be given to the problem trafficking in human beings and its impact >on HIV/AIDS. > >12. We are aware that stigma, silence, denial and discrimination against >people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) increase the impact of the epidemic and >constitute a major barrier to an effective response to it. We recognize >the importance of greater involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS. > >13. We recognise that the epidemic of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other >Related Infectious Diseases constitute not only a major health crisis, but >also an exceptional threat to Africa's development, social cohesion, >political stability, food security as well as the greatest global threat >to the survival and life expectancy of African peoples. These diseases, >which are themselves exacerbated by poverty and conflict situations in our >Continent, also entail a devastating economic burden, through the loss of >human capital, reduced productivity and the diversion of human and >financial resources to care and treatment. > >14. We recognize the need to intensify our efforts in all areas of >research such as traditional medicines and vaccine development. > >15. We are fully convinced that containing and reversing the HIV/AIDS >epidemic, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases should constitute our >top priority for the first quarter of the 21st Century. We are equally >convinced that tackling these epidemics should constitute an integral part >of our continental Agenda for promoting poverty reduction, sustainable >development and ensuring durable peace and political security and >stability consistent with the Millennium African Recovery Programme. > >16. We recognise and commend the efforts by our respective national >Governments, our continental Organisation and its Regional Economic >Communities (RECs), the national and international NGOs, the civil >society, including youth, women, people with disability, religious >organisations, sport organizations, Trade Unions, Employers organizations, >Traditional Health Practitioners, Traditional Rulers, people living with >HIV/AIDS and individuals, who care for, support and sensitise our people >to the threat of HIV/AIDS and the associated opportunistic infections >including Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). > >17. We acknowledge the support that the international Community, >including the United Nations System, its Specialised Agencies and >programmes, bilateral agencies, private sector and other communities and >stakeholders have provided in raising awareness about and combating the >scourge of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and other related infectious diseases in >Africa. > >18. We further acknowledge that, to successfully implement a >comprehensive and multisectoral approach and campaign to overcome >HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other related infectious diseases, there is a >need to secure adequate financial and human resources at national and >international levels. > >19. We recognize the need to establish a sustainable source of income to >fund HIV/AIDS programmes. > >20. We recognise the importance of leadership at all levels in the fight >against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases in >our Continent. We, therefore, acknowledge the special importance of the >"African Consensus and Plan of Action: Leadership to overcome HIV/AIDS" >adopted at the African Development Forum 2000 as the outcome of a >wide-ranging process of consultation with all stakeholders. > >21. In this regard, we recall and reaffirm our commitment to all relevant >decisions, declarations and resolutions in the area of health and >development and on HIV/AIDS, particularly the "Declaration on HIV/AIDS in >Africa" (July 2000) and the "Decision on the adoption of the International >Partnership against HIV/AIDS". > >WE SOLEMNLY DECLARE AS FOLLOWS: > >22. We consider AIDS as a State of Emergency in the continent. To this >end, all tariff and economic barriers to access to funding of AIDS-related >activities should be lifted. > >23. To place the fight against HIV/AIDS at the forefront and as the >highest priority issue in our respective national development plans. To >that end, WE ARE RESOLVED to consolidate the foundations for the >prevention and control of the scourge of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other >Related Infectious Diseases through a comprehensive multisectoral strategy >which involves all appropriate development sectors of our governments as >well as a broad mobilisation of our societies at all levels, including >community level organisations, civil society, NGOs, the private sector, >trade unions, the media, religious organisations, schools, youth >organisations, women organisations, people living with HIV/AIDS >organizations and individuals who care for, support and sensitise our >population to the threat of HIV/AIDS and associated opportunistic >infections and also to protect those not yet infected, particularly the >women, children and youth through appropriate and effective prevention >programmes. > >24. To that effect, WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY >AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP for the activities of the National AIDS >Commissions/Councils. WE THEREFORE RESOLVE to lead from the front the >battle against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious >Diseases by personally ensuring that such bodies were properly convened in >mobilizing our societies as a whole and providing focus for unified >national policy-making and programme implementation, ensuring coordination >of all sectors at all levels with a gender perspective and respect for >human rights, particularly to ensure equal rights for people living with >HIV/AIDS (PLWA). > >25. WE ALSO COMMIT OURSELVES TO ENSURE that leadership role is exercised >by everyone in his/her area of responsibility in the fight against >HIV/AIDS and other related diseases. WE THEREFORE ENDORSE the "African >Consensus and Plan of Action: Leadership to overcome HIV/AIDS" during the >Second African Development Forum on "AIDS: The Greatest Leadership >Challenge" organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa >(UNECA) in collaboration with the OAU, UNAIDS and ILO (Addis Ababa, 3-7 >December 2000). > >26. WE COMMIT OURSELVES to take all necessary measures to ensure that the >needed resources are made available from all sources and that they are >efficiently and effectively utilized. In addition, WE PLEDGE to set a >target of allocating at least 15% of our annual budget to the improvement >of the health sector. WE ALSO PLEDGE to make available the necessary >resources for the improvement of the comprehensive multi-sectoral >response, and that an appropriate and adequate portion of this amount is >put at the disposal of the National Commissions/Councils for the fight >against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases. > >27. WE REQUEST the OAU Secretariat, in collaboration with ADB, ECA, and >all other partner institutions, especially WHO and UNAIDS, to assist >Member States in formulating a continental-wide policy for an >international assistance strategy for the mobilisation of additional >financial resources. > >28. WE CALL UPON Donor countries to complement our resources mobilization >efforts to fight the scourge of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related >Infectious Diseases. Bearing in mind that Africa cannot, from its weak >resource base, provide the huge financial resources needed. In this >regard, WE URGE those countries to, among others, fulfill the yet to be >met target of 0.7% of their GNP as official Development Assistance (ODA) >to developing countries. > >29. We support the creation of a Global AIDS Fund capitalized by the >donor community to the tune of US $5 - 10 billion accessible to all >affected countries to enhance operationalization of Action Plans, >including accessing Anti-retroviral programmes in favour of the >populations of Africa. > >30. WE UNDERTAKE to mobilize all the human, material and financial >resources required to provide CARE and SUPPORT and quality treatment to >our populations infected with HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related >Infections, and to organize meetings to evaluate the status of >implementation of the objective of access to care. > >31. WE RESOLVE to enact and utilize appropriate legislation and >international trade regulations to ensure the availability of drugs at >affordable prices and technologies for treatment, care and prevention of >HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Infectious Diseases. WE ALSO RESOLVE to >take immediate action to use tax exemption and other incentives to reduce >the prices of drugs and all other inputs in health care services for >accelerated improvement of the health of our populations. > >32. WE COMMIT OURSELVES to explore and further develop the potential of >traditional medicine and traditional health practitioners in the >prevention, care and management of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other >Related Infectious Diseases. > >33. WE COMMIT OURSELVES to support the development of effective >affordable, accessible HIV vaccine relevant to Africa. We, therefore, >support "The Africa; AIDS Vaccine Programme"(AAVP), its collaborative >partners, International partners and Institutions committed to the >facilitation of HIV vaccine research and testing in Africa. > >34. WE COMMIT OURSELVES to documenting and sharing these successful and >positive experiences with a view to sustaining and scaling them up for >wider coverage; mindful that there are still challenges that confront us, >particularly in the area of infant feeding. > >35. WE COMMIT OURSELVES to scaling up the role of education and >information in the fight against HIV/AIDS in recognition of the essential >role education, in its widest sense plays as a cost-effective tool for >reaching the largest number of people. > >36. WE COMMIT OURSELVES to the strengthening and development of special >youth programmes to ensure an AIDS-free generation. > >37. WE, within the framework and spirit of our Sirte Declaration of 9 >September 1999, RENEW THE MANDATE of our brothers, President Bouteflika of >Algeria, President Mbeki of South Africa and President Obasanjo of Nigeria >to continue discussion with our debt creditors, on our behalf, with the >view to securing the total cancellation of Africa's external debt in >favour of increased investment in the social sector. > >38. WE ENDORSE the Abuja Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other >Related Infectious Diseases; and WE PLEDGE to promote advocacy at the >national, regional and international levels; and WE ALSO PLEDGE to ensure >massive participation of Heads of State and Government at the United >Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS slated for >25 - 27 June 2001 so as to ensure that the session comes up with concrete >and urgent decisions for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa including >the fight against poverty and deduction of Africa's debt. > >39. WE REQUEST the OAU Secretary General, in collaboration with ECA, ADB, >UNAIDS, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, ILO, UNFPA, FAO, UNESCO, UNIFEM, IOM, UNDCP and >other partners, to follow-up on the implementation of the outcome of this >Summit and submit a report to the Ordinary Sessions of our Assembly. > >40. WE MANDATE the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to >submit a report on the outcome of this African Summit on HIV/AIDS, >Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases to the next Ordinary >OAU Summit which will be held in Lusaka, Zambia in July 2001. > >Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria > >27 April 2001 > >----------------------------------------------------------------------- > >See also: > >http://www.oau-oua.org/afrsummit/docs.htm >Summit Documents > >http://www.oau-oua.org/afrsummit/Framework%20for%20Action.htm >THE ABUJA FRAMEWORK FOR ACTION FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS, >TUBERCULOSIS AND OTHER RELATED INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN AFRICA > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html You may also send subscription requests to [log in to unmask] if you have problems accessing the web interface and remember to write your full name and e-mail address. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------