Calls for UNAIDS to explore the rationale and options for establishing a Virtual Steering Group on technical support based on the lessons learned, including from the Global Implementation Support Team (GIST) that includes all stakeholders in technical support including representatives from the global south and civil society. This should be a light touch mechanism that reinforces country priorities;

Urges UNAIDS to exercise its convening role to facilitate a more strategic, country driven, and better coordinated technical support, in light of the multiple number of technical support mechanisms that can be brought to bear to support country needs, the changing economic environment, the work of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the emphasis on priority countries within the UNAIDS Strategy, and the wide range of Technical Support needs which can be unique to each country;

Takes note of the report;

In light of the substantial needs for additional support to countries in implementing actions to meet the goals and targets of the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, the PCB endorses the plans of UNAIDS to expand the provision of technical support at country level, in particular in the areas of monitoring and evaluation, partnership development and resource mobilization.

further encourages UNAIDS to advocate that technical assistance providers, including the United Nations System, other public and private sector partners, including civil society and NGOs are adequately financed to meet the scale of demand; and

encourages the establishment through UNAIDS of Technical Support Facilities, including regional technical assistance networks to help countries identify key technical assistance providers and access high quality technical assistance;

further supports UNAIDS’ efforts to identify the obstacles to effective AIDS programme implementation and to support countries in overcoming such obstacles, and accelerate implementation through the tapping of national and regional capacities through its Technical Support Facilities, the brokering of horizontal cooperation, the strengthening of UNAIDS’ own capacity in this area, and working with country partners, civil society and donors to articulate further the nature and scale of the problem, and how policies and programmes can be refined;