Combating HIV/AIDS discussed in Geneva

The Memorandum pursues fixing common terms of cooperation between the parties in countering HIV/AIDS, including a more deep engagement of governmental and public bodies providing prevention, care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, promoting role of CIS Member Nations at international events on HIV/AIDS issues, enhancing partnership to achieve targets set in the Action Plan on Enhancing Development Cooperation to Reach Millennium Development Goals (MDG-6) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (12 October 2011).

The Memorandum inspires nomination of authorized officials to coordinate this partnership and participate in HIV-related meetings, as well as support for initiatives on combating HIV/AIDS across the CIS.

Sergey Lebedev, Chairman, CIS Executive Committee, outlined the global landmarks of combating HIV/AIDS and milestones of related cooperation between the CIS and UNAIDS. He referred to the Program of Immediate Action of CIS Member Nations in Countering HIV/AIDS Epidemic, 2001 UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, the Protocol of Cooperation between the Committee and UNAIDS, and Program of Joint Action of CIS Member Nations on HIV/AIDS of 20 November 2009.

CIS Executive Committee Chairman expressed confidence that signing of Memorandum and its implementation will bring practical momentum to step up intergovernmental support of better early HIV diagnostics and effective treatment of HIV patients. The CIS Executive Committee is willing to continue fruitful cooperation with UNAIDS in every related aspect, he said.

The CIS Executive Committee