2007 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting Concludes in Kigali, Rwanda; 2008 Meeting Location Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2007

Kigali, Rwanda – The 2007 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda concluded successfully today after four days of discussions, presentations, and plenary sessions on a wide array of topics critical to advancing partnerships in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Her Excellency Mrs. Jeanette Kagame, the First Lady of Rwanda, gave the welcome and reflections on the final day of the conference.

Meeting Co-chair Dr. Innocent Nyaruhirira, Minister of State in charge of HIV/AIDS and other epidemics in the Rwanda Ministry of Health, noted: “It has been an honor and privilege for us to receive such committed delegates of the 2007 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting. It is the sincere hope of all Rwandans that this meeting will be recorded as a milestone in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, where the importance of public-private and civil society partnerships and sustainable programming have been emphasized as the best approaches.” He added: “It is also our hope that this meeting has been quite significant in a way that networks have been forged between different implementers and that they will be utilized to enhance the struggle against HIV/AIDS.”

The 2007 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting drew over 1,500 delegates from around the world. The conference was hosted by the Government of Rwanda and was co-sponsored by President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, the Secretariat of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) served as the official Advisory Group, helping to ensure representation of people living with HIV/AIDS as expert implementers.

Co-chair Ambassador Mark Dybul, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, stated: “We extend our deepest gratitude to the Government of Rwanda and the people of Rwanda for hosting this meeting, and we thank the Global Fund, UNAIDS, UNICEF, the World Bank, WHO, and GNP+ for their participation.” He emphasized: “All partners must continue to work together and to build new partnerships to implement high-quality, sustainable programs that deliver results and ensure coordinated action in support of host countries’ national strategies.”

The 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting will be held in Kampala, Uganda in June 2008.