Remarks

Ambassador Dennise Mathieu's Remarks at the Closing Session of the 2009 HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Conference
June 14, 2009

It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the Government of Namibia and the meeting co-sponsors to host this HIV/AIDS Implementers’ Meeting in Windhoek.  On behalf of the U.S. Government, I want to thank the Government and people of Namibia for their partnership in organizing this meeting, and for their ongoing dedication and leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

It has been an exciting few days.  In this short time, we have shared successes in the field, confronted issues facing program implementation, and discussed ways to improve our efforts.  We have approached these discussions with firm commitment to quality programming, sustainability and local ownership. 

I am very pleased that Namibia has been able to share so many of its best practices and lessons learned in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Only a few years ago, many thought that it would be impossible to provide antiretroviral treatment in countries like Namibia.  This country is a shining example of how the skeptics have been proven wrong.  In five short years, the coverage of life-saving antiretroviral treatment increased dramatically from 1.3 percent in 2003 to more than 90 percent in 2008. And the percentage of HIV-positive pregnant women reached by prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs grew from only 12 percent in 2004 to 76 percent in 2008. 

In addition to having the privilege to host this meeting and share Namibia’s successes in the fight against HIV/AIDS, we also have had the honor to welcome sections of The AIDS Memorial Quilt to Africa for the first time.  These panels are proudly displayed at the back of this room.  Started in 1987, this Quilt is one of the largest ongoing community arts projects in the world.

A unique mix of materials – including afghans, bubble wrap, dresses, love letters, paintings, stuffed animals, shoes – comes together to create the more than 40,000 panels that make up the Quilt.  The majority of these panels were created by family and friends of loved ones lost to HIV/AIDS.  And while it is a symbol of remembrance, the Quilt also represents a shared experience of millions around the world.  As we know, this pandemic is bigger than any person, family or nation.  The Quilt started in the United States.  More than 30 countries from across the globe, including the African nations of South Africa, Uganda and Zambia, have contributed panels.  In fact, panels from South Africa and Uganda are displayed here today and Ugandan and South African delegates have joined the Quilt’s curator in calling out the names of those memorialized in those panels.  They did so in remembrance and to honor them.

Just as the beautiful and inspiring AIDS Memorial Quilt is the sum of many parts created by many people, so too is the global response to the pandemic.  It has taken the unprecedented international, multisectoral partnership represented here this week – including governments, international and non-governmental organizations, faith- and community-based groups, the private sector, and organizations of people living with HIV/AIDS – to create the concerted global response to one of the most devastating health challenges of our time.   Local partner organizations are essential to this effort.  And in fact, more than seventy percent of U.S. Government staff working on PEPFAR are locally employed.

Without each of these partners, Namibia’s dramatic successes in implementing prevention, care and treatment services would not have been possible.

And while much progress has been made, both new and enduring challenges remain. I am confident that this week’s frank conversations will help Namibia and countries around the world to confront head on the challenges that we face, and that these discussions will lead to improved HIV prevention, treatment and care programs.

So, again, thank you HIV/AIDS implementers. Thank you for your invaluable contributions.  Your knowledge has been and will continue to be essential in this battle against HIV/AIDS. Together, we can defeat this disease.  I look forward to our ongoing partnership in this fight.

Thank you.