The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, will be hosting a two-day Special Summit of the African Union Heads of States and Government on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, tagged ‘Abuja Plus 12”.
Billed to hold from Monday 15th-16th July, 12 African leaders alongside health experts are expected to attend the Summit, with the theme: “Ownership, Accountability and Sustainability of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Response in Africa: Past, Present and the Future”. The Summit is christened “Abuja plus12”.
A statement released by the AU Commission states that, the Summit will begin on Friday 12 July 2013, with the meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.
This will be followed by the meeting of the Executive Council schedule for Saturday 13 July 2013 and finally the special Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) to be held on 15 – 16 July 2013.
President Goodluck Jonathan is billed to make statement when the summit formally opens on Monday. Other African leaders scheduled to speak are: Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, goodwill message by Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway and Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the African Union.
Organised by the African Union in collaboration with the Nigerian Government, the special Summit is aimed to review the status of African Governments investment in the various national responses to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases (ORID).
The Summit is expected to adopt a set of actions to enhance the continent’s response and efforts towards reversing the impact of these diseases by ensuring universal access to services and strengthened health systems, especially for the poor and most marginalized people.
It will also be an opportunity to review and identify factors that underpin the persistent burden of HIV, TB and Malaria on the continent as well as the status of health financing on the continent while committing the African leaders to the implementation of innovative and sustainable health financing initiatives.
The Summit will among others, articulate Africa’s position to project health at the core of development in relevant global forums especially the ongoing dialogue on defining the post 2015 development agenda.
Participants at the Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB will include representatives of Ministries of Health, Finance and Economic Planning, as well as National AIDS Councils; Malaria Control Programmes; TB Control Programmes; Maternal Newborn and Child Health Programmes and Civil Society Organizations.
Others are, Regional Health Organizations (RHOs); Regional Economic Communities (RECs); the UN and its Specialized Agencies; Development Partners; the AU Commission and other AU Organs and Programmes; Representative of the Private Sector and representatives of professional bodies amongst others.
The Chairperson of the African Union, Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia alongside President Jonathan and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma are expected to address a press conference at the end of the summit.
