Visit to Bern by Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé
Bern, 13.05.2013 - On 13 May, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), received the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Michel Sidibé, in Bern. Among the topics discussed during their meeting was the importance of UNAIDS, Switzerland's commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS, and the sharing of Swiss experience in the treatment of this disease. During his visit to Bern, Michel Sidibé also met with representatives of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
In 2011, 2.5 million people were infected with HIV worldwide, and nearly 1.7 million died of AIDS-related causes. These figures attest to the continuing importance of the international commitment to the fight against this pandemic. Switzerland actively contributes to global efforts through its support for international organisations, including the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The meeting of 13 May with Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, was an opportunity for Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter to reaffirm this commitment.
For Switzerland, UNAIDS, based in Geneva, is the most important multilateral platform in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly with regard to coordinating action within the United Nations. Having contributed more than CHF 5 million per year in recent years, Switzerland ranks among the 12 largest donors to UNAIDs. The Confederation is currently evaluating the possibility of significantly increasing its contribution for 2013-2015.
The meeting was also an opportunity for Michel Sidibé and Didier Burkhalter to talk about Swiss experience in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly in the area of prevention. "We have always benefited from Switzerland's considerable public health culture and expertise," noted Michel Sidibé. For example, the guidance provided by UNAIDS to other countries is modelled on Swiss injection programmes for drug users to reduce risks.
During the second part of his visit, Michel Sidibé also talked with Ms Maya Tissafi, Deputy Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and with Mr Pascal Strupler, Director of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).
Switzerland is currently a member of the UNAIDS Coordinating Board, where it leads its voting group, which is also composed of Sweden, Austria and Iceland. Switzerland also works closely with the group composed of the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland and Norway). The significant role it plays in this body enables it to influence discussions and decisions.
The meeting between Michel Sidibé and Didier Burkhalter followed an official visit made on 6 May 2013 by Mr Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). On that occasion, Switzerland also reaffirmed its future political and financial commitment to the fight against communicable diseases.
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