UNAIDS.org — The African continent is experiencing major changes as 17 African countries prepare to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their independence in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Two days before the anniversary celebrations, a high-level international conference, Africa 21 began on Tuesday in Yaoundé. The conference is called “Africa, a chance for the world: realities and challenges,” and brings together top politicians, economists, international civil servants and business leaders, including former United Nations Secretaries of State, Kofi Annan and Boutros Boutros-Ghali. Much of the debate will focus on macro-economic issues.

With a generalised HIV epidemic (prevalence of 5.5% in adults aged 15-49 years old), the conference host country of Cameroon has led the way in decentralizing its AIDS response. Now almost all health districts are equipped to manage mother-to-child HIV transmission. Around 46% of people with an advanced stage of HIV infection were receiving antiretroviral therapy in 2009 compared to 39% in 2008.

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Tags: global partnerships, leadership, UNAIDS