More feature stories on Western and Central Africa

New report shows that a healthier Africa will further boost economic growth on the continent
15 July 2013|
The report, Abuja +12: Shaping the future of health in Africa, published by the African Union (AU) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), reviews progress made since the AU’s 2001 Abuja Declaration—in which leaders pledged to mobilize domestic and international resources for health and remove barriers to the AIDS response—highlights remaining gaps, and prioritizes next steps.
Côte d’Ivoire President commits to stopping new HIV infections among children
15 July 2013|
The President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara said his country is committed to stopping new HIV infections among children in a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, on the side-lines of the 39th conference of Francophone parliamentarians, which took place in Abidjan from 9 to 12 of July.
African civil society organizations call on governments to intensify efforts to end the AIDS epidemic
11 July 2013|
Representatives of more than 100 civil society organizations (CSO) from 42 countries urged African leaders to intensify efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Gabon President commits to review progress made on the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution on HIV and Security
09 July 2013|
President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon committed to hosting a meeting in 2013 to review progress made on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1983 focused on HIV and security.
Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa
28 June 2013|
On 27 July, under the leadership of the Nigerian president Jonathan Goodluck, several head of states and experts advocated in Abuja, Nigeria, to end gender based violence and inequality during the 2nd high level meeting of the Global Power Women Network Africa.
UNAIDS welcomes the Republic of the Congo and Senegal as its first African donors
24 June 2013|
The Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Senegal have become the first African countries to financially contribute to UNAIDS. These historic decisions are in line with the leadership demonstrated by Member States of the African Union in taking forward the Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity.
Celebrating fifty years of African unity
24 May 2013|
Leaders from across Africa and beyond are gathering for a special African Union (AU) summit which marks the 50th anniversary of unity on the continent.
UNAIDS reports more than 7 million people now on HIV treatment across Africa––with nearly 1 million added in the last year—while new HIV infections and deaths from AIDS continue to fall
21 May 2013|
As the African Union (AU) begins its 21st summit in Addis Ababa, celebrating 50 years of African unity, The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has released Update a new report on the AIDS response in Africa, documenting the remarkable recent progress against HIV on the continent.
Burundi to increase access to education and health services to improve its response to AIDS
09 May 2013|
Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza said his country is trying to increase access to education and health services as key elements to effectively respond to AIDS in the country. He met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 9 May in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Burundi marks its National AIDS Day and commits to an AIDS-free generation
08 May 2013|
Burundi marked its National AIDS Day on 8 May and committed to stopping new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive. UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé attended an event at the Kamenge health centre in Bujumbura, Burundi along with the country’s Minister of Health, Dr Sabine Ntakarutimana and the Ambassador from the USA to Burundi, Dawn Liberi.
The First Lady of Ghana to lead country's drive to stop new HIV infections in children
18 April 2013|
The First Lady of Ghana, Lordina Mahama, has agreed to become UNAIDS premiere ambassador for the implementation of the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive.
A clinic in Niger uses an innovative and low-cost solution to keep babies alive
02 April 2013|
Inside the Issaka-Gazobi maternity clinic a group of women are waiting expectantly for a meeting very few imagined they would ever have. The First Lady of Niger, Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou and UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé met the women during their visit recently to the maternity clinic, which is a model for the rest of the country.
Niger’s First Lady commits to stopping new HIV infections in children
28 March 2013|
The First Lady of Niger, Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou, promised to use her influence to greatly expand prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services in her country. She made her commitment during the official launch of her foundation, “Guri, for a better life,” on 28 March in Niamey, Niger.
UNAIDS Executive Director calls on Côte d'Ivoire to redouble HIV response efforts
27 March 2013|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé urged the Côte d'Ivoire government to intensify its efforts in the HIV response. Mr Sidibé wrapped up a two-day official visit to the country on 27 March.
African leaders call for greater industrialization of an emerging Africa
26 March 2013|
African Ministers of Finance and other leaders have agreed that the continent needs to shift from a reliance on exports of primary commodities to greater industrialization in order to accelerate the continent’s development.
Sierra Leone’s President says gender is a development issue on International Women’s Day
08 March 2013|
Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma stressed his commitment to increasing women’s participation in his government during an event on 8 March, celebrating International Women’s Day in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He said that the many appointments of women to high positions his government has sent “a clear message that discrimination against women no longer has a place in Sierra Leone.”
The First Lady of Sierra Leone highlights her country’s efforts on stopping new HIV infections in children
08 March 2013|
On 7 March, the eve of International Women's Day, Sierra Leone’s First Lady Alice Sia Nyama Koroma hosted a dinner in Freetown, where efforts to improve health services for women and children were showcased. The First Lady recently launched a campaign towards eliminating new HIV infections among children in partnership with UNAIDS, Voice of Women and the National AIDS Control Programme.
Global Fund resumes funding of a full-scale HIV programme in Mali
11 February 2013|
The Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé was in the Malian capital Bamako over the weekend. He was there to take part in a ceremony marking the reinstatement of funding by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for a full-scale HIV programme in Mali.
UNAIDS and Economic Commission for Africa discuss ways to support Africa’s HIV response
01 February 2013|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Dr Carlos Lopes, on the side-lines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
African Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians meets in Niger
30 January 2013|
The annual congress of the African Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians took place in Niger from 21-23 January 2013 under the theme “Mortality Costs and Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity in Africa”.

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31 July 2013

UNAIDS urges Greek authorities to repeal Sanitary Decree. More

17 July 2013

UNAIDS condemns killing of AIDS activist Eric Lembembe. More

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