Ambassador Hooks at AIDS Confernce

Ambassador Hooks Leads Joint American-Ivoirian Delegation to AIDS Conference

American Ambassador Aubrey Hooks is leading a fifteen-member delegation of Ivoirian and American officials to the annual conference of President George W. Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (American Emergency Plan), which opened yesterday (June 12) in Durban, South Africa.  The conference brings together over a 1,000 international experts in the field of HIV/AIDS, with those working out in the field, in an effort to stem the red tide of one of the world’s deadliest diseases.  Officials from the Ivoirian Ministries of Health, for the Fight Against AIDS, & Education, along with leaders of NGOs, are accompanying the U.S. officials to discuss the progress that has been achieved to date  and areas for improvement as part of the United States' 7.8 trillion CFA global initiative.

“The United States is making a tremendous commitment to fight HIV/AIDS around the globe and in Côte d’Ivoire, which is one of fifteen priority countries, through the Emergency Plan,” declared Ambassador Hooks at the conference’s opening.  “Together with our Ivoirian partners, we will share the significant work we’re accomplishing in Côte d’Ivoire, while learning from global leaders about how to improve our unified efforts.  Sharing best practices is important.  The lessons learned by us and our Ivoirian partners at this conference, will help to strengthen the Ivoirian systems working to stop the spread of this terrible disease and ensure the sustainability of HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs.”

In Côte d’Ivoire and globally, the United States is giving more to fight HIV/AIDS than any other country.  These coordinated efforts are taking place both through bilateral funding, in addition to providing 33% of budget for the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, Malaria, & Tuberculosis.  The American Emergency Plan in Côte d’Ivoire contributed 23 billion CFA in 2005 to support the national HIV/AIDS response.  This has helped to considerably counteract the effects of an epidemic that has robbed the Ivoirian economy of workers, communities of the creative contributions of these talented Ivoirians, and children across Côte d’Ivoire of their parents.  An even larger financial commitment, which will soon be announced, is being made in 2006.  This historic initiative constitutes the largest program ever launched against a single disease and has helped to bring hope to millions.

"The Ivoirian government recognizes the considerable aide it receives from the American Emergency Plan," said the representative of the Ivoirian Minister for the Fight Against AIDS who was attending the conference in Durban.  "We hope to be able to benefit from the experiences of others, especially in the area of the coordination of activities against AIDS, being discussed during these meetings."

"I hope to gain a better grasp of the latest developments to combat the HIV/AIDS virus, so that we can use to improve our work," remarked Siaka Toure, Director of the Ivoirian NGO ACONDA.  "This meeting will also help me build an international network of experts that I can continue to collaborate with, in our effort to rid Côte d'Ivoire of this scourge.