Health Ministers Meeting
The 2007 Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM) was held on 13 May in Geneva, Switzerland. The Commonwealth Foundation brought together health ministers and key representatives of the Pan-Commonwealth Civil Society Network on HIV and AIDS, by organising an event in the wings of the CHMM, on 15 May 2007.
This initiative provided a valuable forum where ministers and civil society representatives could exchange views, experiences and strategies regarding HIV and AIDS. The purpose of the meeting was to create a greater focus, among health ministers, on this critical issue affecting the Commonwealth. It also highlighted the dynamic approach of the Foundation in setting up the pan-Commonwealth network of grassroots organisations working with those affected by HIV and AIDS, and in mobilising strategic initiatives to contain the AIDS pandemic across the Commonwealth.
The event attracted wide participation. In addition to Commonwealth (as well as non-Commonwealth) health ministers, the Foundation and the Pan-Commonwealth Network, there were also participants from the Global Fund, the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNAIDS, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and others.
The Global Fund strongly endorsed the work of the Foundation and commended it for involving people living with HIV and AIDS when designing interventions. Furthermore, health ministers were urged to work in close partnership with civil society, as this will be a key requirement when the Global Fund disburses resources to countries.
The Sri Lankan Health Minister, who collaborated with the Commonwealth Foundation in organising the meeting, highlighted the Foundation's work in strengthening the capacities of civil society organisations (CSOs) working in HIV and AIDS, as well as its commitment to containing HIV and AIDS.
Civil society representatives made presentations at the meeting which were very well received. In particular, presentations by a HIV positive child from the Caribbean, who was born with the virus, and a HIV positive activist from Asia, who has been living with the virus for 13 years, captivated the audience. Health ministers later engaged at length with CSOs in an interactive question and answer session. Several ministers called upon the Foundation to assist in organising similar events in their respective countries. The Health Minister of Antigua and Barbuda offered his support and commitment to host the launch of the pan-Commonwealth network in the Caribbean region.
Civil society representatives found the experience of participating in such an event to be valuable and expressed that it had increased their profile and bolstered their confidence in forging ahead with their work in the pan-Commonwealth network. Furthermore, they felt the meeting strengthened relations between governments and civil society, which will make their joint fight against the AIDS pandemic more effective.
