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News Release
2006-69
August 15, 2006
For immediate release
Health Minister Tony Clement renews the UNAIDS partnership arrangement
TORONTO - The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, today announced that Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have signed a new formal partnership arrangement with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
“Canada has a long history of collaboration with UNAIDS in areas of common interest,” said Minister Clement. “This partnership is a key component of Canada's efforts to fight HIV/AIDS around the globe. I am pleased to renew this partnership arrangement in the midst of the International AIDS Conference, the largest-ever gathering of scientific, community, and government experts in HIV/AIDS.”
“Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada play a critical role in bolstering international efforts to defeat the pandemic,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot. “They have provided advice and technical support to UNAIDS and its country partners in the areas of epidemiology, surveillance, and laboratory science. We are grateful that Canada continues to share its technical expertise through the renewal of this arrangement.”
UNAIDS is the leading advocate for global action on HIV/AIDS, bringing together the efforts and resources of 10 United Nations organizations. Historically, Canada and UNAIDS have worked in close collaboration in a number of areas, aimed at strengthening an expanded global response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The organizations have engaged in activities such as policy dialogues, satellite sessions, and other international learning and capacity development events. The Partnership Arrangement also allows for the provision of mutual technical expertise and collaboration on epidemiology, surveillance, modelling of the HIV epidemic, and laboratory science.
Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), is a substantial supporter of UNAIDS, funding close to 4% of UNAIDS total annual budget. For 2006 and 2007, Canada's annual contribution increased from $5.4 M to $7.6 M.
“UNAIDS has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV/AIDS,” said Minister Clement. “Over the last ten years, they have had tremendous success at providing leadership, tracking and monitoring the spread of AIDS, and mobilizing resources around the world. I'm pleased that our successful partnership and collaboration with UNAIDS will continue.”
The new Partnership Arrangement reflects changes in the HIV/AIDS landscape since 2003, such as the creation of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the enhanced capacity for international collaboration through the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada. The Federal Initiative's goals are to:
- Prevent the acquisition and transmission of new infections;
- Slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life;
- Reduce the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS; and
- Contribute to the global effort to reduce the spread of HIV and mitigate the impact of the disease.
Health Canada, in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada, is responsible for coordinating the Global Engagement component of the Federal Initiative. This component focuses on establishing a strong and coherent health sector response to fulfill Canada's international commitments and to contribute to global efforts to address HIV/AIDS.
This Partnership Arrangement covers a five-year period, effective August 15, 2006 to August 14, 2011.
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Media Enquiries:
Christopher Williams
Health Canada
(416) 585-3731
Erik Waddell
Office of the Honourable Tony Clement
Federal Minister of Health
(613) 957-0200
Public Enquiries:
Health Canada
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
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