It is with the deepest regret that I am unable to attend the Ninth Annual General Meeting of PANCAP. Competing events have conspired to keep me away from Grenada at this time. But believe me when I say I am with you in spirit.
I note with interest that the theme of this Meeting advocates for achieving universal access through a multi-sectoral coalition. Indeed, this is the hallmark of PANCAP, which from its inception has demonstrated the effectiveness of functional cooperation, expanding beyond CARICOM Member States to include the French and Dutch Antilles and other overseas territories, as well as the Dominican Republic and Cuba. It is in tribute to this unique network that the United Nations designated PANCAP an international best practice in 2004. Many among you have contributed in no small measure to PANCAP’s success.
First of all, I wish to offer my congratulations to Mr Carl Browne, Director, PANCAP Coordinating Unit and the dedicated members of the staff of the Coordinating Unit, past and present who have sustained the efforts of this Partnership. Then there are our development partners who have kept the faith and continue to support the efforts of CARICOM and PANCAP, contributing over 60 million US dollars over the past eight (8) years for implementation of institutional strengthening, care treatment and support, reducing stigma and discrimination, resource mobilisation and the strengthening the governance of PANCAP.
I am aware also of the expanding nature of this partnership over the years and the synergies that have evolved with the Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with AIDS, Caribbean Coalition National AIDS Programme Coordinators (C/C/NAP/C), the private sector, faith based organizations and the political directorate of the Region. I have witnessed at first-hand the vibrancy of this partnership. First, at the Inaugural Meeting of Champions for Change in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2004 where the idea of a regional stigma and discrimination unit was born and I am glad to see on your programme that such a unit has become a reality and is “breaking new ground”.
Second, I was also at the launch of the Pan Caribbean Business Coalition against HIV and AIDS in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in 2005 and I am now very pleased to note that not only has this partnership been consolidated into a full-fledged HIV AIDS response but has functioning units in over five (5) countries of the Region.
It is also very heartening to learn of the linkages that have been established between PANCAP and the CARICOM youth ambassador’s and Gender programmes in the execution of preventive strategies that reach out to the youth of the Caribbean, in particular, girls and females who are among the most vulnerable groups.
The challenge for the PANCAP network is now in the implementation of its very ambitious Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework for 2008-2012. This document is very well conceived as it makes the critical linkages between regional and national priorities. and requires financial support. The Secretariat pledges its commitment to working with PANCAP to achieve the objectives set out in this framework. And In this regard I urge all development partners to assist with the necessary financial support for its implementation.
I am aware of the deep and abiding faith that many of our development partners have vested in this partnership: European Union, CIDA, DFID, Kfw, GTZ, USAID, UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank , IADB and the Global Fund and more recently CDC. I wish in particular to acknowledge the roles of PAHO and UNAIDS for bringing PANCAP into existence and for their technical and financial support over these nine years.
Most important too are the engagement of our Ministers of Government, in particular the Ministers of Health.
To all these actors and to the members of the Regional Coordinating Mechanism, past and present, that provide the executive management of this diverse network I offer my deepest appreciation.
There are too many institutions and agencies that have supported this network: too many to individually identify and thank. However you will permit me if I take the opportunity of this gathering also to offer my warmest congratulations to Dr Michel Sidibé who was appointed as Executive Director of UNAIDS earlier this year succeeding a dear colleague friend of PANCAP and CARICOM, Dr Peter Piot.
I had also looked forward to being here with you to sign the partnership commitment on HIV AIDS and the Caribbean with the officials of the United States Presidential Emergency Fund for HIVAIDS Relief (PEPFAR). I can assure you that the Chairman of PANCAP, Dr the Hon. Denzil Douglas was a major advocate for the expansion of this fund to include the wider PANCAP membership. I am sure he and the other Heads of Governments that supported this appeal welcome its reality and it is my pleasure to ask Dr Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development under whose directorate PANCAP falls, to sign this partnership Agreement on behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat.
I wish you a very successful Ninth Annual General Meeting.