More feature stories on Western and Central Africa

African First Ladies come together to mark a decade of work in the AIDS response
29 January 2013|
The Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) came together on 28 January to mark its 10-year anniversary and held its annual Extra Ordinary General Assembly on the side-lines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President of South Africa says Africa must deal effectively with HIV to reduce maternal mortality on the side-lines of the African Union Summit
28 January 2013|
South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma called on African leaders to effectively deal with HIV and as such eliminate one of the main causes of maternal deaths on the continent.
New campaign to stop new HIV infections among children launched in Sierra Leone
21 December 2012|
The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Sia Nyama Koroma has launched a national campaign to prevent new HIV infections among children called “Bon Pikin Wae Nor Get HIV” (Give Birth to Life without HIV).
UNAIDS meets with the King of the Mossi
21 December 2012|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé thanked the Mogho Naba, the King of the Mossi for encouraging traditional leaders and religious organizations to support the AIDS response in Burkina Faso. Mr Sidibé met with the King in his palace in Ouagadougou on 21 December.
UNAIDS salutes the leadership of Burkina Faso’s President
21 December 2012|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé congratulated the President of Burkina Faso, Blaise Compaoré for his personal engagement in his country’s AIDS response during a meeting held on 20 December in the country’s capital of Ouagadougou. New HIV infections in Burkina Faso have dropped by 60% in the past ten years.
The Third Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit opens in Burkina Faso
20 December 2012|
Hundreds of youth leaders gathered in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso on 20 December for the Third Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit. The meeting is focusing on how young people can contribute to a post-2015 development agenda and reach the UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.
Friends of UN Plus launched in Liberia
19 December 2012|
The United Nations (UN) in Liberia has joined Mozambique, Swaziland, Rwanda and Ghana in launching the ‘Friends of UN Plus’ as part of its efforts to achieve a work environment that is free from stigma for all UN staff living with HIV and their families.
Gaming for HIV prevention: a public-private partnership in Gabon
03 December 2012|
According to the Ministry of Health of Gabon, only 1 out of 2 young Gabonese aged 15-24 have a comprehensive knowledge on HIV in a country where the prevalence rate among youth aged 15-24 is about 4.8%, and 15% of youth have sexual relationships before the age of 15.
UNAIDS and Standard Bank Group partner to bring HIV awareness to the workplace
29 November 2012|
The Standard Bank Group (SBG) and UNAIDS formalised, on 22 November, what had already been a long-term collaboration in the response to AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. They signed an official memorandum of understanding (MoU) for an initial period of two years to further collaborate on AIDS education and advocacy initiatives in the workplace.
Benin’s Head of State calls for shared responsibility in the national AIDS response
26 October 2012|
At an extraordinary session of Benin’s National AIDS Committee on 23 October, President Boni Yayi called for a series of measures to accelerate progress in the country’s AIDS response. Held at the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou, the session was attended by more than 350 participants, including ministers, ambassadors and representatives from the private sector, civil society, networks of people living with HIV, and United Nations agencies.
Senegal commits to reducing AIDS dependency
16 October 2012|
Meeting on 15 October with the Prime Minister of Senegal, Mr Abdoul Mbaye, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the leadership of Senegal for its success in keeping national HIV prevalence low, at approximately 0.7%.
First Lady of the Democratic Republic of the Congo calls for the elimination of new HIV infections among children
16 October 2012|
On the sidelines of the 14th Summit of the Francophonie, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Marie Olive Lembé Kabila, launched the initiative “Rolling back malaria and eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.”
Equatorial Guinea increases domestic investments for AIDS
12 October 2012|
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) recognizes Equatorial Guinea’s efforts in financing its entire national AIDS response from domestic resources. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo stated that “Equatorial Guinea is financing its national programmes on school HIV/AIDS prevention, condom distribution and the financing of antiretrovirals for infected populations.” He made the statement at a special side event organized by the African Union at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York last month.
UNAIDS Executive Director meets Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of the Congo
12 October 2012|
In a meeting on 12 October with the Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Matata Ponyo Mapon, UNAIDS Executive Director praised DRC’s leadership for organizing the 14th Summit of La Francophonie, which will be held in Kinshasa from 13-14 October.
UNAIDS Executive Director calls for shared responsibility to address AIDS-related gaps in Congo
12 October 2012|
In a meeting on 11 October at the Presidential Palace in Brazzaville, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso for gains in the national AIDS response and called for shared responsibility to close remaining gaps.
Senegal: a success story of AIDS investments and impact
11 October 2012|
With new leadership and bold commitments, the Senegal has continued the success of its national AIDS response, keeping HIV prevalence low and earning the recognition of global partners for its progress and achievements.
African leaders embrace shared responsibility and call for innovative solutions to accelerate the response to AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria
27 September 2012|
African leaders gathered in New York on the sidelines of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss the African Union (AU) Roadmap. This initiative outlines long-term sustainable strategies to finance and provide access to HIV treatment and prevention services and other health services in Africa as called for in the Millennium Development Goals.
HIV treatment now reaching more than 6 million people in sub-Saharan Africa
06 July 2012|
More than 100-fold increase in access to HIV treatment in less than a decade. African Union to review roadmap to increase access to medicines and ensure sustainable financing.
UNAIDS Executive Director calls on African leaders to reduce the ‘triple dependency’ on external aid
06 June 2012|
Delivering a speech at today’s opening session of the 16th Conference of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé congratulated leaders across the region for their personal commitment to the HIV response, specifically with regard to upholding human rights and protecting human capital.
UNAIDS Executive Director highlights progress in Chad’s AIDS response
31 May 2012|
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé concluded his official visit to Chad on 31 May after meeting with President Idriss Deby Itno, First Lady Hinda Deby Itno, senior government officials and civil society to highlight the country’s progress in the AIDS response.

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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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