UNAIDS and Global Fund Sign Cooperation Agreement

 UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signaled their strong partnership with a renewed cooperation agreement to help countries achieve Fast-Track targets to end the AIDS epidemic as a global health threat by 2030.

At the core of the agreement is an improved way of collaborating that strengthens coordination mechanisms, and information-sharing at all levels and mutual accountability.

The UNAIDS Fast-Track approach emphasizes the need to focus on the counties, cities and communities most affected by HIV and recommends that resources be concentrated on the areas with the greatest impact. The new agreement will focus on maximizing support to countries and optimizing investments and impact at country level.

Cooperation areas include strengthening strategic investments, jointly leveraging political commitment and supporting meaningful country dialogues with all stakeholders - including civil society and communities - to ensure that no one is left behind.

The new agreement will leverage the strengths of both organizations in providing technical support to countries and coordination throughout the grant cycle. Special emphasis will be placed on data collection, analysis and identification of gaps in the epidemic and the response, including on the country’s enabling environment, equity in access to services, human rights, gender and key populations at higher risk.

The new cooperation agreement replaces a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2008. The Agreement will be revisited at the end of 2016.

“This agreement with the Global Fund reinforces our strong relationship and will advance our joint efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030,” said Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director. “UNAIDS is fully mobilized to support the Global Fund’s new funding model which will empower countries to be even more effective, inclusive, grounded in human rights and sustainable in their AIDS responses.” 

Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, added: “Working together, we can achieve even more for people affected by HIV. This agreement captures the spirit of collaboration, which we already do, and will help take us to an even greater level.”

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