The UNAIDS Secretariat, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, the Africa Development Bank (ADB) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) as ‘Initiating Partners’, jointly expressed an interest in taking part in the Project AIDS in Africa: Scenarios for the Future.

The UNAIDS Secretariat and Initiating Partners plan to use their extensive networks to disseminate the results of the Project in order to promote open, informed debate and to help activate a broad-based response from all segments of society with regard to the care, support, treatment and prevention of AIDS, to overcome stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, and to address the impact of the AIDS epidemic.

The partners in the Project, each with their expertise and networks, will be instrumental in identifying and selecting participants involved in the scenario-building process.

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
(www.uneca.org)
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is the regional arm of the United Nations, mandated to support the economic and social development of its 53 member States, foster regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa’s development. Established in 1958 and based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ECA is one of five regional economic commissions under the administrative direction of the UN Headquarters. It reports directly to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) through the Conference of African Ministers Responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning, and convenes a number of intergovernmental organs and committees. The Commission has a staff of some 850, comprising professionals with a wide range of expertise, as well as general support and field service.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
(www.undp.org)
UNDP is the UN’s global development network, working in 166 countries to support national solutions to development challenges. UNDP plays a unique role within the UN System’s overall response to the HIV/AIDS. It works with its partners to create an enabling governance, policy, and legislative environment by continuing to strongly make the case for HIV/AIDS as a primary development challenge, while at the same time working in countries to generate breakthrough results. 

The UNDP HIV/AIDS practice area focuses on the interrelated governance, poverty reduction and health challenges that the epidemic presents and supports strategies that engage sectors and different levels of government and civil society. This multi-sectoral and multi-level approach is underpinned by leveraging effective leadership and action at key levels of government, civil society and communities. Firmly grounded in the principles of gender equality and human rights, UNDP HIV/AIDS support to national responses fall under three broad areas:

1. Leadership and Capacity Development
2. Development Planning and Implementation
3. Advocacy and Communication

African Development Bank (ADB)
(www.afdb.org)
The African Development Bank, established in 1964, is a regional multilateral development bank, engaged in promoting the economic development and social progress of its Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in Africa. Its shareholders are the 53 countries in Africa as well as 24 countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia.
The Bank’s principal functions are: to make loans and equity investments for the economic and social advancement of the RMCs; to provide technical assistance for the preparation and execution of development projects and programs; to promote investment of public and private capital for development purposes; and to respond to requests for assistance in coordinating development policies and plans of RMCs. In its operations, the Bank is also required to give special attention to national and multinational projects and programs which promote regional integration.

World Bank
(www.worldbank.org)
The World Bank is one of the world’s largest sources of development assistance. Its primary focus is on helping the poorest people and the poorest countries. The World Bank works to bridge the poverty divide and turn rich country resources into poor country growth. One of the world’s largest sources of development assistance, the World Bank supports the efforts of developing country governments to build schools and health centers, provide water and electricity, fight disease, and protect the environment.