12.12.2010, Jeddah, The Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the United Nations Program on HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS) on Sunday signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration efforts on a range of AIDS programs in sub-Saharan Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. The MOU was signed between IDB Group President Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali and UN/AIDS Executive Director Mr. Michel Sidibé.
Under the document, the two sides shall cooperate in maximum use of available resources while effectively cooperating and sharing information on HIV prevention and control measures. The program also pays special attention to measures aimed at preventing HIV from mother to child as UN estimates indicate an estimated 1.4 million HIV positive pregnant women live in low- and middle-income countries. In 2009 alone, the UN figures registered some 370, 000.00 new HIV infections among children worldwide.
At the signing ceremony, President of the IDB Group Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali underlined the emphasis IDB Group has attached to promotion of health services and the support it has lent to development of health sector activities and hygiene infrastructure since its inception more than 3 decades ago. “Promoting health and eventually human development in IDB member countries and Muslim communities in non-member countries around the world constitute a major thrust of the IDB Group’s Vision 2020”, Dr. Ali reiterated.
“The Islamic Development Bank’s investment in promoting the global fight against AIDS is welcome at a time when resources for HIV program are flat-lining,” said Mr. Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, after signing the memorandum of understanding at IDB headquarters in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. “Together, we will strive towards slowing down the spread of HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.”
UNAIDS, is an innovative United Nations partnership program that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.