Serious concerns have been raised relative to the stakeholders’ meeting that was held on 14-15 January 2014 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) capital Kinshasa. The meeting was the final country dialogue to validate the content and priorities of the country’s HIV concept note under the Global Fund’s new funding model (NFM).

For the NGO report of 2014, the NGO Delegation has chosen the topic of how intellectual property (IP) regulations impact the access to HIV treatment and what role civil society plays in addressing IP barriers to essential treatment.

The sweet, familiar taste of bream fish, the feel of the warm African sun, and the beautiful colors and talents of open markets. I was back in Zambia… open to learning and excited.

The discussion on the new Strategic Development Goals (SDG) is currently a key agenda for the United Nations. Just as happened with the Millennium Development Goals – MDGs (which were even considered by many as reductionist when compared to the set of commitments made at the UN Social Cycle in the 90s, but is now referred to as the most far-reaching action outlined by the UN), the indubitable point at this stage is: “will how the Post 2015 goals are set, determine how resources and power will flow globally?”

In March 2013, fighting between Sélékarebel forces and the Central African Army resulted in the ousting of President Francois Bozize and the overthrow of the government of the Central African Republic (CAR). Tens of thousands of people fled. Health facilities were looted, and many were abandoned. As a result, thousands of people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are now estimated to be ‘lost.’

With this letter, we would like to kindly ask your Excellency’s support in advocating towards having HIV remaining as a high priority within the Post 2015 framework. This positioning is fundamental to realize the work we started 30 years ago, and continue to preserve the lives of people living with HIV and the robust effort to see an end to new HIV infections and AIDS progression in the 30 years ahead.