MIN/Sp/AU/CAMH3/6 HIV/AIDS Page 3 • • • 1. Even countries with low prevalence rates or where success has been reported, should avoid complacency. Member States are urged to monitor implementation and submit reports regularly. Partners at national, regional and international level should sustain their technical and financial support as well as advocacy BACKGROUND In April 2001, African leaders met in Abuja to address the challenged posed by HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and other related infectious diseases. The primary objective of the declaration was to arrest and reverse the frightening rate at which these priority diseases are depleting the gains made in combating communicable diseases in the continent. They adopted the related Abuja Declaration and Framework for Action, and declared HIV/AIDS an emergency and a threat to security. The Abuja Declaration and Framework for Action was Africa’s contribution towards the 2001 United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS. In May 2006, the Heads of State and Government again held a Special Summit on HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria to review the status of implementation of their previous commitments on these diseases. They reviewed the continental status report on the implementation of the Abuja Plans of Action and adopted commitments to promote Universal Access to HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Services by 2010. The African leaders highlighted a Framework for Action, which requested for implementation and reporting on the following 12 priority areas: • • • • • • • • • • • • Leadership Resource Mobilization Partnership Enabling Environment and Protection of Human Rights Information, Education and Communication Poverty, Health and Development Strengthening Health Systems Prevention Access to Care and Support Access to Affordable Drugs and Technologies Research and Development Monitoring and Evaluation The Leaders also requested for progress reports on the 2006 commitments in 2008 and 2010.