Moving forward together: Global '3 by 5' partners meeting
More than 120 delegates from '3 by 5' partner organizations gathered in Geneva, May 11-12, for a Global Partners Meeting to address enhanced coordination for rapid increase of access to ART at a country level.
Partners including non-governmental, faith based and community organizations, people living with HIV/AIDS, treatment activists, private sector, pharmaceutical industry, donors and UN agencies discussed challenges and opportunities for greater coordination and identified key roles the various partners need to play to achieve the '3 by 5' target.
"Why support 3 by 5? This is the first time atheists like me can sit in the same room with Muslims and Christians to discuss AIDS treatment. This is the first time I see brand name pharmaceutical companies sit together with generic drug manufacturers to pursue a common goal. I urge you to give your fullest support to '3 by 5'," said Zackie Achmat of the Treatment Action Campaign, South Africa.
As an integral part of the meeting, the WHO shared a recently developed draft ‘Operational Pan’ which sets out WHO's role in achieving the '3 by 5' target. The plan was well-received by partners who provided recommendations for future actions.
Partners called for greater coordination and wider sharing of existing experiences and success stories. They also recommended the global group reconvene and that specific stakeholder gatherings be held at regional, sub-regional and country levels.
Addressing the participants, Dr. Jim Kim, WHO Director of HIV/AIDS said: "We have solidarity like never before to increase access to HIV/AIDS treatment. Let's move forward together towards '3 by 5'."
'3 by 5' is the target to get three million people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries on ART by the end of 2005. This is a step towards the ultimate goal of universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment.