Assembly/AU/4(XI) Page 15 THE ROLES OF PARTNERS IN THE FOLLOW UP AND MONITORING OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ABUJA COMMITMENTS TOWARDS UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO HIV/AIDS, TB AND MALARIA SERVICES African Union and its Organs As had been requested, the then Chairperson of the African Union, H E President Dennis Sassou Nguesso of Congo presented Africa`s common Position to the 2006 UNGASS and High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS which adopted the Political Declaration. This year, a Progress Report on its implementation is to be presented to the Assembly in June 2008. Both the Chairperson of the AU and of the Commission have undertaken advocacy at the G8 and EU Summits, and intensified collaboration with other continents and sub-continents. In these endeavours, issues relating to the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria are regularly included. The 3rd. Session of the AU Conference of Ministers of Health (CAMH) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa in April 2007 on the theme: “Strengthening of Health Systems for Equity and Development in Africa’’. They adopted the Africa Health Strategy as a framework for comprehensively addressing the disease burden; and the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing report for Africa, to promote access to affordable medicines. The Bureau of the 3rd. Session of CAMH had been very active in coordinating the implementation of the adopted strategies, among many other activities. Coordination and harmonization of Partnerships, among others through InterAgency Consultations with the UN and other International partners, RECs and Regional Health Organizations and Regional Civil Society Organizations, on coordination and harmonization of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria (ATM) Strategies and actions. The AU is collaborating more closely with international and regional partners as well as CSOs; while efforts to mainstream HIV/AIDS into other programmes of the AU are improving. Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Health Organizations Regional Strategies and Plans of Action on HIV/AID, TB and Malaria have been developed and are being implemented. Progress is variable but significant. Programmes with Member States and cross-border activities are undertaken in this in this connection. These Agencies are working more and more with the AU. These bodies also benefit from the support and collaboration of international development partners. NGOs and CSOs During preparation for and after the 2006 Abuja Special Summit, the CSOs undertook unprecedented advocacy to ensure the success of the Summit, incorporation of the recommendations in Africa`s Common Position into the conclusions of the UNGASS on HIV/AIDS. The CSOs have organized coalitions which have promoted