| The Abuja Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases | ![]() |
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The 1. We, the Heads of
State and Government of the Organisation of African
Unity (OAU) met in Abuja, Nigeria from 26-27 April
2001, at a Special Summit devoted specifically to address the exceptional
challenges of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases, at
the invitation of H.E. President Olusegun
Obasanjo of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in
accordance with the agreement reached at the Thirty-Sixth Ordinary Session of
our Assembly in Lomé, Togo from 10 to 12 July 2000. 2. We gathered in Abuja
to undertake a critical review and assessment of the situation and the
consequences of these diseases in Africa, and to reflect further on new ways
and means whereby we, the leaders of our Continent, can take the lead in
strengthening current successful interventions and developing new and more
appropriate policies, practical strategies, effective implementation mechanisms
and concrete monitoring structures at national, regional and continental levels
with a view to ensuring adequate and effective control of HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases in our Continent. 3. We are deeply
concerned about the rapid spread of HIV infection in our countries and the
millions of deaths caused by AIDS, Tuberculosis and other related infectious
diseases throughout the Continent, in spite of the serious efforts being made
by our countries to control these diseases. 4. We recognize the role
played by poverty, poor nutritional conditions and underdevelopment in
increasing vulnerability. We are concerned about the millions of African
children who have died from AIDS and other preventable infectious diseases. We
are equally concerned about the particular and severe impact that these
diseases have on children and youth who represent the future of our continent,
the plight of millions of children orphaned by AIDS and the impact on the
social system in our countries. 5. We are particularly concerned
about the high incidence of mother to child transmission, especially given the
challenges of infant breastfeeding in the context of HIV infection on the
continent. 6. We recognize that
special efforts are required to ensure that 7. We recognise that biologically, women and girls are particularly
vulnerable to HIV infection. In addition, economic and social inequalities and
traditionally accepted gender roles leave them in a subordinate position to
men. 8. We appreciate the
special needs and challenges of the HIV/AIDS pandemic for the youth that make
them vulnerable to infection and adverse impacts of the epidemic. 9. We recognize that the
practice of injectable drug abuse with sharing of
contaminated needles in some African countries is a major concern. The abuse of
alcohol, marijuana and other mind-altering drugs, which is on the increase
among the youth further enhances their vulnerability
to HIV infection. 10. We recognize the
essential place that education, in its widest sense has played and will
continue to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS in 11. We acknowledge that
forced migrations due to war, conflicts, natural disasters and economic factors
including unilateral sanctions imposed on some African countries, lead to an
increased vulnerability and the spread of the disease; we note that special
attention should be given to migrants, mobile populations, refugees and
internally displaced persons in national and regional policies. We also note
that special attention should be given to the problem trafficking in human
beings and its impact on HIV/AIDS. 12. We are aware that
stigma, silence, denial and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS
(PLWA) increase the impact of the epidemic and
constitute a major barrier to an effective response to it. We recognize the
importance of greater involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS. 13. We recognise
that the epidemic of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious
Diseases constitute not only a major health crisis, but also an exceptional
threat to Africa’s development, social cohesion, political stability, food
security as well as the greatest global threat to the survival and life
expectancy of African peoples. These diseases, which are themselves exacerbated
by poverty and conflict situations in our Continent, also entail a devastating
economic burden, through the loss of human capital, reduced productivity and
the diversion of human and financial resources to care and treatment. 14. We recognize the need
to intensify our efforts in all areas of research such as traditional medicines
and vaccine development. 15. We are fully convinced
that containing and reversing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, tuberculosis and other
infectious diseases should constitute our top priority for the first quarter of
the 21st Century. We are equally convinced that tackling these
epidemics should constitute an integral part of our continental Agenda for
promoting poverty reduction, sustainable development and ensuring durable peace
and political security and stability consistent with the Millennium African
Recovery Programme. 16. We recognise and commend the efforts by our respective
national Governments, our continental Organisation
and its Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the
national and international NGOs, the civil society, including youth, women,
people with disability, religious organisations, sport
organizations, Trade Unions, Employers organizations, Traditional Health
Practitioners, Traditional Rulers, people living with HIV/AIDS and individuals,
who care for, support and sensitise our people to the
threat of HIV/AIDS and the associated opportunistic infections including
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). 17. We acknowledge the
support that the international Community, including the United Nations System,
its Specialised Agencies and programmes,
bilateral agencies, private sector and other communities and stakeholders have
provided in raising awareness about and combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis and other related infectious diseases in Africa. 18. We further acknowledge
that, to successfully implement a comprehensive and multisectoral
approach and campaign to overcome HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and other related
infectious diseases, there is a need to secure adequate financial and human
resources at national and international levels. 19. We recognize the need
to establish a sustainable source of income to fund HIV/AIDS programmes. 20. We recognise the importance of leadership at all levels in the
fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases in
our Continent. We, therefore, acknowledge the special importance of the
"African Consensus and Plan of Action: Leadership to overcome
HIV/AIDS" adopted at the African Development Forum 2000 as the outcome of
a wide-ranging process of consultation with all stakeholders. 21. In this regard, we
recall and reaffirm our commitment to all relevant decisions, declarations and
resolutions in the area of health and development and on HIV/AIDS, particularly
the "Lomé Declaration on HIV/AIDS in
Africa" (July 2000) and the "Decision on the adoption of the
International Partnership against HIV/AIDS" (Algiers 1999). WE
SOLEMNLY DECLARE AS FOLLOWS: 22. We consider AIDS as a
State of 23. To place the fight
against HIV/AIDS at the forefront and as the highest priority issue in our
respective national development plans. To that end, WE ARE RESOLVED to
consolidate the foundations for the prevention and control of the scourge of
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases through a
comprehensive multisectoral strategy which involves
all appropriate development sectors of our governments as well as a broad mobilisation of our societies at all levels, including
community level organisations, civil society, NGOs,
the private sector, trade unions, the media, religious organisations,
schools, youth organisations, women organisations, people living with HIV/AIDS organizations
and individuals who care for, support and sensitise
our population to the threat of HIV/AIDS and associated opportunistic
infections and also to protect those not yet infected, particularly the women,
children and youth through appropriate and effective prevention programmes. 24. To that effect, WE
COMMIT OURSELVES TO TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP for the
activities of the National AIDS Commissions/Councils. WE THEREFORE RESOLVE to
lead from the front the battle against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related
Infectious Diseases by personally ensuring that such bodies were properly
convened in mobilizing our societies as a whole and providing focus for unified
national policy-making and programme implementation,
ensuring coordination of all sectors at all levels with a gender perspective
and respect for human rights, particularly to ensure equal rights for people
living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA). 25. WE ALSO COMMIT
OURSELVES TO ENSURE that leadership role is exercised by everyone in his/her
area of responsibility in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other related
diseases. WE THEREFORE ENDORSE the "African Consensus and Plan of Action:
Leadership to overcome HIV/AIDS" adopted during the Second African
Development Forum on "AIDS: The Greatest Leadership Challenge" organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for
Africa (UNECA) in collaboration with the OAU, UNAIDS and ILO ( 26. WE COMMIT OURSELVES to
take all necessary measures to ensure that the needed resources are made
available from all sources and that they are efficiently and effectively
utilized. In addition, WE PLEDGE to set a target of allocating at least 15% of
our annual budget to the improvement of the health sector. WE ALSO PLEDGE
to make available the necessary resources for the improvement of the comprehensive
multi-sectoral response, and that an appropriate and
adequate portion of this amount is put at the disposal of the National
Commissions/Councils for the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other
Related Infectious Diseases. 27. WE REQUEST the OAU Secretariat, in collaboration with ADB,
ECA, and all other partner institutions, especially
WHO and UNAIDS, to assist Member States in
formulating a continental-wide policy for an international assistance strategy
for the mobilisation of additional financial
resources. 28. WE CALL UPON
Donor countries to complement our resources mobilization efforts to fight the
scourge of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases.
Bearing in mind that 29. We support the
creation of a Global AIDS Fund capitalized by the donor community to the tune
of US $5 – 10 billion accessible to all affected countries to enhance operationalization of Action Plans, including accessing
Anti-retroviral programmes in favour
of the populations of Africa. 30. WE UNDERTAKE to mobilize all the
human, material and financial resources required to provide CARE and SUPPORT
and quality treatment to our populations infected with HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Other Related Infections, and to organize meetings to evaluate
the status of implementation of the objective of access to care. 31. WE RESOLVE to
enact and utilize appropriate legislation and international trade regulations
to ensure the availability of drugs at affordable prices and technologies for
treatment, care and prevention of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Infectious
Diseases. WE ALSO RESOLVE to take immediate action to use tax exemption
and other incentives to reduce the prices of drugs and all other inputs in
health care services for accelerated improvement of the health of our
populations. 32. WE COMMIT OURSELVES to
explore and further develop the potential of traditional medicine and
traditional health practitioners in the prevention, care and management of
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases. 33. WE COMMIT
OURSELVES to support the development of effective affordable, accessible
HIV vaccine relevant to 34. WE COMMIT
OURSELVES to documenting and sharing these successful and positive
experiences with a view to sustaining and scaling them up for wider coverage; mindful
that there are still challenges that confront us, particularly in the area of
infant feeding. 35. WE COMMIT
OURSELVES to scaling up the role of education and information in the fight
against HIV/AIDS in recognition of the essential role education, in its widest
sense plays as a cost-effective tool for reaching the largest number of people.
36. WE COMMIT
OURSELVES to the strengthening and development of special youth programmes to ensure an AIDS-free generation. 37. WE, within the framework and spirit
of our Sirte Declaration of 9 September 1999, RENEW
THE MANDATE of our brothers, President Bouteflika of
Algeria, President Mbeki of South Africa and President Obasanjo
of Nigeria to continue discussion with our debt creditors, on our behalf, with
the view to securing the total cancellation of Africa’s external debt in favour of increased investment in the social sector. 38. WE ENDORSE the
Abuja Declaration on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious
Diseases; and WE PLEDGE to promote advocacy at the national, regional
and international levels; and WE ALSO PLEDGE to ensure massive
participation of Heads of State and Government at the United Nations General
Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS slated
for 25 – 27 June 2001 so as to ensure that the session comes up with concrete
and urgent decisions for the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa including the
fight against poverty and deduction of Africa’s debt. 39. WE REQUEST the
OAU Secretary General, in collaboration with ECA, ADB, UNAIDS,
UNDP, ILO, UNFPA, FAO, UNESCO,UNIFEM,
IOM, UNDCP and other partners, to follow-up on the
implementation of the outcome of this Summit and submit a report to the
Ordinary Sessions of our Assembly. 40. WE MANDATE the
Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to submit a report on the outcome
of this African Summit on
HIV/AIDS Tuberculosis and Other Related Infectious Diseases to the next
Ordinary OAU Summit which will be held in |
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