The Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States

July 8rd 2008 – Brussels

ACP States have been urged to build on the success of some of its members in the fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The Executive Director of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Michel Kazatchkine, told the ACP Committee of Ambassadors that “by learning on our success and learning from our experiences, we can achieve ever greater impact against AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria in the coming years.”

Mr Kazatchkine also shared examples with the ACP ambassadors of dramatic results of how the Fund help reduced malaria in ACP States.

He cited a bed-net campaign in Niger, which achieved dramatic results.

Mr Kazatchkine said a Global Fund grant funded the distribution of over two million insecticide treated bed-nets and the results have proved dramatic.

Malaria cases have been cut by one third and malaria deaths reduced by half, he added.

“This result shows that, if we set our minds to it, what once seem unthinkable is possible,” he said.

The executive director said the seemingly relentless march of deadly, infectious diseases can indeed be stopped.

Mr Kazatchkine urged ACP states that have been successful in addressing malaria to be careful and avoid complacency.

There are also success stories in Burkina Faso and Sudan in the fight against malaria.

The executive director said Global Fund is guided by the key principles of country-ownership, accountability and results.

Mr Kazatchkine said country ownership is especially critical to ensuring that programmes for combating the three diseases meet the local needs.

“Governments alone cannot stop epidemics. All stakeholders, including civil society and the private sector, need to play their part in programme design and delivery,” he said.

Chairman of the Committee of Ambassadors and Ambassador of Djibouti, HE. Mr Mohamed Moussa Chehem, noted the importance of the fund to ACP countries.

Mr Chehem also said that for the visibility of ACP Group, he wants the organization to be present at Global Funds Meetings with its name visible – and should be in a position to contribute at all levels.

Details contact: iroga@acp.int