Annan's panel on HIV/AIDS and governance in Africa set for launch

A panel of commissioners appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to study the impacts of HIV/AIDS on Africa's economic development and governance is set to be officially launched tomorrow in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at an event expected to be attended by leaders from the continent.

Mr. Annan announced the Commission on HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa (CHGA) last February. CHGA's work will culminate in June 2005 with a report analyzing the governance and development threats posed by the pandemic and contain policy options for mounting an effective response.

Chaired by the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, (ECA) K.Y. Amoako, the Commission will also address the implications of scaling up anti-retroviral therapies for health systems capacity and structures in Africa, and advise African policy makers on how to address the profound structural impacts that HIV/AIDS is having on their abilities to tackle development challenges.

The Commission's report is intended to be a key tool for further advocacy and policy engagement, channelled through the 20 Commissioners appointed by Mr. Annan.