Feature story

UNAIDS and Flanders renew cooperation agreement with emphasis on HIV prevention

22 March 2011

Minister-President and Minister for Economy, Foreign Policy, Agriculture and Rural Policy Kris Peeters (left) and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé (right) signing the renewed cooperation agreement. Geneva, 22 March 2011. Credit: UNAIDS

UNAIDS and Flanders renewed their multi-year agreement of cooperation on 22 March 2011 during an official visit from a Flemish delegation to the UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva.

“Today’s agreement emphasizes the strong and reliable engagement and commitment of Flanders in the global AIDS response, especially during this time of financial constraints,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

The Flemish delegation was headed by the Minister-President and Minister for Economy, Foreign Policy, Agriculture and Rural Policy, Mr Kris Peeters, the Minister for Finance, Budget, Work, Town and Country Planning and Sport, Mr Philippe Muyters and the Permanent Representative of Belgium in Geneva, H.E. Ambassador François Roux.

Today’s agreement emphasizes the strong and reliable engagement and commitment of Flanders in the global AIDS response, especially in times of financial constraints

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé

The new agreement for the period of 2011-2014 will focus on strengthening HIV prevention efforts mainly in southern Africa countries. The agreement also reflects Flanders’ decision to move away from funding individual projects to a broader programmatic approach.

During the visit, UNAIDS Executive Director shared the UNAIDS’ strategy for 2011-2015. Mr Sidibé also highlighted the importance of the forthcoming UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS to renew commitments towards the global AIDS response.