The PCB recommended that emphasis be placed on strengthening capacity of national governments, NGOs and networks of people living with HIV/AIDS to mobilize resources.

The PCB recommended that UNAIDS strengthen its activities to mobilize resources from nontraditional sources, including the private sector, in the response to HIV/AIDS.

The PCB endorsed the recommendations of the PCB Working Group on Resource Mobilization (Document UNAIDS/PCB(4)/97.9), emphasizing the need to give priority to non-earmarked contributions to the core budget, while taking note of the limitations within some donor agencies with regard to the earmarking of contributions and the subsequent need for some flexibility.

The PCB endorsed the recommendations of the PCB Working Group on Resource Mobilization
(Document UNAIDS/PCB(4)/97.9), emphasizing the need to give priority to non-earmarked contributions
to the core budget, while taking note of the limitations within some donor agencies with regard to the
earmarking of contributions and the subsequent need for some flexibility.

The PCB asked the Secretariat to organize an ad hoc thematic meeting of the PCB in the last quarter of 1997 (most likely November).

The PCB requested that the chairperson and vice-chairperson present to the PCB a proposal for election procedures of future chairpersons and vice-chairpersons at its next regular annual session.

The PCB recognized the potential value in conducting its future meetings in a different manner to permit more in-depth exchange of ideas and requested the Secretariat, in conjunction with the chairperson and vice-chairperson, and in consultation with PCB members, to look at ways of implementing this for the next meeting.

The PCB endorsed the proposals included within the report on Mode of Operations of the PCB (Document UNAIDS/PCB(4)/97.8). The PCB also recommended that ad hoc and informal meetings be convened to complement the regular annual sessions of the PCB. One ad hoc thematic meeting and four informal information meetings have been proposed for 1997, although the number per year will remain flexible. The PCB requested the Secretariat to provide adequate notice of the meetings to facilitate participation and/or inputs by all members.

The PCB recommended that the UNAIDS’s governance structure strike a balance between formal and informal mechanisms. Where appropriate, country visits by PCB members should be encouraged to enable greater understanding of UN Theme Group operations.

The PCB amended Article 21 of its Modus Operandi by adding the office of a rapporteur, taking into account fair geographical distribution.

The PCB requested that the 1998-1999 Coordinated Appeal documentation clearly indicate: (i) the division of responsibility for implementation among the Cosponsors and the Secretariat; (ii) how specific Coordinated Appeal proposals help to strengthen HIV/AIDS programming at country level; (iii) how proposals are linked to programme component objectives in the UNAIDS workplan; (iv) that proposals emphasize HIV/AIDS activities rather than Cosponsor core support; and (v) that the Coordinated Appeal include country-level activities on an experimental basis. The PCB further requested that the Secretariat distribute quarterly updates on funding status of the Coordinated Appeal, and that the PCB be briefed at its next meeting on overall progress.

The PCB noted the Progress Report on the UNAIDS Coordinated Appeal for Supplemental Funded Activities (Document UNAIDS/PCB(4)/97.7) at global and regional level, acknowledging the efforts of the Cosponsors and the Secretariat in developing this important instrument for harmonization, and appreciating the frank description within the Report of the difficulties encountered in establishing the process. The PCB encouraged the Cosponsors and the Secretariat to proceed with the development of the 1998-1999 Coordinated Appeal, with appropriate prioritization of its components within a US$ 20 million ceiling at global level, and its planned launch in June 1997.

In emphasizing the importance of providing as comprehensive a picture as possible of the HIV/AIDS activities of UNAIDS and its Cosponsors, and of continuing to progress towards a more complete integrated workplan in future budget submissions, the PCB also recommended that continued attention be given to further clarifying the respective implementation responsibilities of the Secretariat, the Cosponsors and other partners; and that the narrative detail better correspond to the budget level of the respective programme components. The PCB also encouraged the Secretariat, in preparing its more detailed workplans for programme management, to undertake greater prioritization of the programme components along with their timeframes; to describe objectives, sub-objectives and outputs with greater precision and consistency; and to better link specific programme components, strategic objectives, and performance monitoring and evaluation.

The PCB requested that, in implementing its workplan, the Secretariat give greater priority to strategies related to improving access to care, including access to antiretroviral therapy and to treatment for opportunistic infections, and to broadening the range of approaches for reducing HIV transmission through injecting drug use.

The PCB endorsed the proposed budget of US$ 120 million for 1998-1999 and its allocations for programme components, re-emphasizing the importance of the four cross-cutting themes – human rights, gender, young people, and the greater involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS.

The PCB expressed appreciation for the transparency in presentation, the structure and quality of the 1998-1999 Proposed Budget and Workplan, and noted the progress made in terms of moving towards a more integrated workplan among UNAIDS and the Cosponsors.