May 24, 2005
No. 20/05

Addis Ababa Hosts President’s AIDS Emergency Plan Annual Field Meeting
Conference Brings Together Officials, Program Partners from Around Africa and the World

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – Since its inception in 2003, President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has energized the global fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  As the largest international health initiative in history by one nation to address a single disease, the Emergency Plan's bold leadership and action mark a turning point in the response to the pandemic.  From May 22 to 27, Addis Ababa will host the Emergency Plan’s second annual field meeting, bringing together a wide range of U.S. Government officials, representatives from the 15 countries in which the Emergency Plan is active, and dignitaries including Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, who is the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

Under the theme “Supporting National Strategies:  Building on Success,” this meeting will identify and explore best practices learned during the “start up” phase of the initiative that can be applied more broadly as HIV/AIDS programs supported by the United States scale up and mature.   The goals of the meeting include improving program planning through the examination of innovative Emergency Plan-funded programs; seeking solutions to barriers impacting rapid scale-up of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care programs; enhancing program sustainability through the participation of local, new, and other partner organizations; providing relevant and timely technical assistance; and strengthening communication about the Emergency Plan.

Commenting on the conference, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Aurelia E. Brazeal said, “Hosting this second annual Field Meeting is a valued opportunity.  It will allow those of us engaged in fighting HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia to highlight how we support the Government of Ethiopia’s national strategy as well as review our accomplishments and work with our colleagues from around the world, ensuring that the President’s Emergency Plan maximizes its potential to save and improve the lives of those it was designed to assist.”