The Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, Mr. Philippe Douste Blazy, signed the agreement on behalf UNITAID in his capacity as chairman of its board of executive directors; while the President of the Islamic Development Bank, Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, signed it on behalf of the Bank.
The President of the Islamic Development Bank has stated that the Bank has allocated US$ 20 million for 1428 – 1429H (2007 – 2008) under an IDB programme designed to roll back malaria in IDB member countries as outlined in the IDB 1440H (2020) Vision. The President added that the money will be granted as interest-free loans to the target countries. He also said that the Bank will strive to secure financing from its member countries and from donor agencies that are concerned with the issue and then give the money as grants and concessionary loans to the countries targeted under the programme.
The agreement stipulates that cooperation between the two signatories shall focus on roll back malaria. In the light of the achievements made, the two sides will collaborate to combat other diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. However, roll back malaria will be included as a first phase in an integrated programme depending on the specific needs of the countries concerned. These countries are Burkina Faso, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sudan and Indonesia.
The President of the IDB said that he considers the agreement a prelude to fruitful cooperation between UNITAID and the IDB as part of their joint effort to help achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
It is worth mentioning that UNITAID was established in September 2006 following an initiative by France, Brazil, Chile, Norway and the United Kingdom to help provide funds necessary to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries that are most affected by these diseases. A nominal tax shall be levied on air tickets sold in member countries of UNITAID. So far eighteen (18) African countries have joined the organization and forty-five (45) countries are considering a sustainable funding mechanism to help the organization achieve its objectives.