The United Nations Theme Group on HIV/AIDS under the auspices of the RC/ERSG on Thursday 22nd February 2007 officially launched recently the UN Team on AIDS in Sierra Leone. The occasion witnessed by Heads of Agencies took place during the first United Nations Theme Group on HIV/AIDS meeting.
The Joint UN Team on HIV/AIDS has 16 members comprising of HIV/AIDS Focal Points of the different UN Agencies and the World Bank. Members of the team have different background, each with vast expertise in the UN Division of Labour related to their agencies mandate on HIV/AIDS.
The overall purpose of the AIDS Team is to promote coherent, evidence-based and effective UN action in support of an expanded national response in Sierra Leone to HIV/AIDS.
Furthermore, specifically among others, their major terms of reference include:
• Supporting national authorities and stakeholders, including civil society and People Living With HIV groups in their efforts to implement an accelerated national response which takes into account human rights and equity
• Facilitate the implementation of the “Three Ones” principles in Sierra Leone, including joint programming, policy dialogue and partnerships with national and international stakeholders
• Provide an entry point for national stakeholders to access HIV/AIDS technical assistance from the UN system.
• Develop, facilitate and monitor the implementation of the HIV components of UN policies and joint programmes on HIV.
• Support the joint and individual work of UN organisations and ensure that technical directions are consistent with recognized best practice and that full advantage of synergies is being taken.
This initiative comes as a result of the request of the Secretary General’s letter of 12th December 2005. The initiative is designed to advance UN reform at the country level as well as support national and international efforts to improve aid effectiveness. The Joint UN Team on AIDS is a follow-up to the recommendations of the Global Task Team on improving AIDS coordination among multilateral institutions and international donors. The establishment of this team is closely linked to aid harmonization.
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