1. November 2009Design: MIS Division Strengthening National AIDS Response Coordination and Aligning of the Continental, and Regional AIDS Responses and other health programmes 7-8 November 2013, Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA Dr. Marie-Goretti-Harakeye Head of Division, AIDS, TB, Malaria and Other Infectious Diseases

2.  The vision of the African Union is that of: “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.” MISSION AND VALUES OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION The mission of the Commission is become “An efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens”. The Commission will be guided by the following principles:  Subsidiarity and complementarity with other Organs, Member States and RECs;  Results orientation, feasibility and impact focus;  Close coordination and cooperation with the RECs;  Coherence of policies and programmes; and  A networking approach that takes advantage of available resources through other players.

3.  AU Strategic plan 2014-2017 AU Strategic plan 2014-2017  AGENDA 2063 AGENDA 2063 "A global strategy to optimize use of Africa's resources for the benefits of all Africans"

4.  To achieve greater unity and solidarity between the African countries and the peoples of Africa;  To defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of its Member States;  To accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent;  To promote and defend African common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its peoples;  To encourage international cooperation, taking due account of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;  To promote peace, security, and stability on the continent;  To promote democratic principles and institutions, popular participation and good governance;  To promote and protect human and peoples' rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and other relevant human rights instruments;

5.  To establish the necessary conditions which enable the continent to play its rightful role in the global economy and in international negotiations;  To promote sustainable development at the economic, social and cultural levels as well as the integration of African economies;  To promote co-operation in all fields of human activity to raise the living standards of African peoples;  To coordinate and harmonize the policies between the existing and future Regional Economic Communities for the gradual attainment of the objectives of the Union;  To advance the development of the continent by promoting research in all fields, in particular in science and technology;  To work with relevant international partners in the eradication of preventable diseases and the promotion of good health on the continent.

6.  The Assembly Composed of Heads of State and Government or their duly accredited representatives. The Assembly of Heads of State and Government is the supreme organ of the Union. The Executive Council Composed of Ministers or Authorities designated by the Governments of Members States. The Executive Council is responsible to the Assembly. The Commission Composed of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, eight Commissioners and Staff members; Each Commissioner shall be responsible for a portfolio. The Permanent Representatives' Committee Composed of Permanent Representatives of Member States accredited to the Union. The Permanent Representatives Committee is charged with the responsibility of preparing the work of the Executive Council.

7. Peace and Security Council (PSC) By decision AHG/Dec 160 (xxxvii) of the Summit of Lusaka, July 2001, a decision was made for the creation within the African Union of the Peace and Security Council. The Protocol establishing the PSC is in the process of ratification. Pan-African Parliament A Pan-African Parliament, and organ to ensure the full participation of African peoples in governance, development and economic integration of the Continent. The protocol relating to the composition, powers, functions and organization of the Pan-African Parliament has been signed by Member States and is in the process of ratification. ECOSOCC The Economic, Social and Cultural Council, an advisory organ composed of different social and professional groups of the Member States of the Union. The statutes determining the functions, powers, composition and organization of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council have been prepared and will be submitted to Maputo Summit. The Court of Justice statutes defining the composition and functions of the Court of Justice have been prepared and will be submitted to the Assembly in Maputo.

8.  The Commission is the key organ playing a central role in the day-to-day management of the African Union.  Among others, it represents the Union and defends its interests; elaborates draft common positions of the Union; prepares strategic plans and studies for the consideration of the Executive Council; elaborates, promotes, coordinates and harmonizes the programmes and policies of the Union with those of the RECs; ensures the mainstreaming of gender in all programmes and activities of the Union. Members of the Commission  Chairperson;  Deputy Chairperson;  Eight (8) Commissioners (Social Affairs, Trade and Industry, Economic Affairs, Commissioner for Peace and Security, Infrastructure and Energy, Human Resources, Science and Technology, Rural Economy and Agriculture)

9. 9 COMMISSIONER DIRECTOR ACALANCELHTOACERWC Secretariat Division of HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB Division of Labour, Employment and Migration Division of Social Welfare and Drug Control Division of Culture Division of Sports Division of Health Population and Nutrition AWA Secretariat DSA Organizational Structure

10. AU POLICY INSTRUMENTS (HEALTH)  Africa Health Strategy  Abuja Call for accelerated action toward universal access to ATM services in Africa  Maputo Plan of Action for SRHR(MPoA)  Africa regional Nutrition Strategy  Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa (PMPA)  Campaign for accelerated reduction of maternal Newborn and Child mortality in Africa (CARMMA)  AIDS Watch Africa, an HOSG platform for High Level Advocacy and accountability for AIDS, TB and Malaria response  AU Roadmap for Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for Aids TB and Malaria response in Africa (2012-2015)

11.  The RECS are the pillars of the AU and have been recognized by the AU as AU’s building blocks and the key vehicles for regional and continental economic integration and cooperation in Africa. The final OAU Summit in Lusaka from 9 to 11 July 2001 reaffirmed the status of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) within the African Union and the need for their close involvement in the formulation and implementation of all programs of the Union.  The 2003 session of the AU conference of African Ministers of health considered and adopted recommendations on a proposal to establish health and social affairs desks within the RECS. The 2003 Maputo session of the assembly of AU Head of States duly endorsed the Report of the Ministers and their recommendations. With the 2003 decision, the African leaders recognized the important role of the RECS in regional integration, as well as the centrality of health in the regional integration process. 11

12.  The UNGA resolution 57/7 of 4 November 2002 has also provided an important legal basis for the collaboration of WHO and other UN agencies with AU and RECS on various social and health matters  During the WHO meeting held in Brazzaville/Congo on 28-29 April 2005, all participants from member states, RECS and AUC agreed to consult each other in the development of policies, strategies and reports to ensure coherence and consistency in positions on health matters. They agreed to organize consultative meeting to clarify and determine the roles of each partner within the health sector, taking into consideration their strengths, weaknesses, competencies and comparative advantages.  At the July 2007 Accra summit the AU Assembly adopted a Protocol on Relations between the African Union and the Regional Economic Communities (Assembly/AU/Dec.166 (IX)). This protocol is intended to facilitate the harmonization of policies and ensure compliance with the Abuja Treaty and Lagos Plan of Action time frames

14.  The Protocol on relations between African Union and RECs agreed to: a. Formalize, consolidate and promote closer co-operation among RECs and between them and the AU through the co-ordination and harmonization of their policies, measures, program and activities in all fields and sectors;  b. Establish a framework for co-ordination of the activities of RECs in their contribution to the realization of the objectives of the Constitutive Act of the AU and the Abuja Treaty;  c. Establish a co-ordination mechanism of regional and continental efforts for the development of common positions by its members in negotiations at the multilateral level;  d. Encourage the sharing of experiences in all fields among the RECs and ensure harmonization of their cooperation with potential donors and international financial institutions;

15.  Situational assessment to collect all available data within the RECS related to health sector.  To identify continental and regional priorities as well as areas of synergy in health policy and interventions with a view to strengthening capacity for result delivery including monitoring and reporting.  Need to formulate Suggestions/ Recommendations for improving collaboration, communication and drawing on synergies between your REC/RHO and the AU Health Divisions  Organise visits to RECS and agree on a forum AU-RECS to monitor progress made in the coordinating the AIDS response and to review the strategies and policies at regional level if needed.

16.  Existence of Health and Social desk within RECS/RHOs (HIV/AIDS, cross borders programmes and other related health issues).  Key health policy instruments (declarations, decisions, frameworks, protocols) endorsed by MOHs or HOSGs.  Strategic plans, Work plans highlighting priorities for the health and HIV/AIDS area areas, Important upcoming events  Monitoring and Evaluation framework

17.  The Regional Ministers of Health Conference  Regional coordination meetings with any international/continental bodies e.g. UN partners, AU and other International organizations?  Implementation of the decisions/declarations in Countries Process

18.  Status update of continental and regional health initiatives information and experiences on programs and activities exchanged, at all appropriate levels,  continental priorities identified and aligned with regional and national priorities in the health sector  Articulation of an AUC-RECs Cooperation Framework that institutionalizes partnership, coordination and reporting mechanisms.  Dialogue established for resource pooling/resource-sharing for dealing with cross borders problems such as HIV/AIDS in particular and fight against endemics in general.  Agreement on strengthening the monitoring of AU Commitment on AIDS

19. AN UNITED AND STRONG AFRICA TO ACHIEVE the goal of an AIDS FREE GENERATION