AIDS in Africa Scenario-building Project Orientation Workshop: Opening Remarks by Ms. Lalla Ben Barka Deputy Executive Secretary Economic Commission for Africa

Abstract

Opening Remarks by Ms. Lalla Ben Barka Deputy Executive Secretary Economic Commission for Africa at the AIDS in Africa Scenario-building Project Orientation Workshop. Ms. Barka. On her remarks pointed out that, UNAIDS' leadership of the fight against the scourge of AIDS remains exemplary and should be applauded. We at ECA have worked together with UNAIDS in the past and look forward to continued cooperation and collaboration with it. It is now a truism that Africa faces a social and economic crisis on an appalling scale due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The details and sources may change each year but the flood of alarming statistics about the progression of HIV/AIDS in our continent remain the same. We at the ECA are contributing to the fight against AIDS according to our comparative advantage. In that regard, following the UN Secretary-General's recently announced Commission on HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa (CHGA), the Secretariat is here at ECA, and the Executive Secretary, Mr Amoako will Chair the Commission.