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Last minute preparations on global issues criticised
2006-07-10 08:56:35
By Simon Kivamwo
Tanzania needs to work more aggressively than now when it comes to the global issues that require individual country’s representation, Alex Margey, a global ambassador of hope representing people living with HIV/AIDS, observed at the weekend.
Margey, who is the Chairperson of the Tanzania National Network of PLHAs (TANEPHA) gave his observations when commenting on the country’s participation to the just ended UN’s Special Session Assembly on HIV/AIDS, popularly known as UNGASS+5.
Being one among the delegates representing the country’s Civil Society, Margey said, while the participation of other African countries was so strong, the story was the other way round to the group from Tanzania.
He said, due to the lack of serious preparations and coordination, Tanzanian delegates found themselves in suspense, a state that forced them to mobilize themselves at the eleventh hour, so they could at least get what to say on the country’s stance during the session.
According to Margey, during the session that took place between May 31st and June 2nd in New York, each country was supposed to give its own experience, performance and recommendations as way forward in the general fight against the pandemic.
’Generally, it is through an organized presentation that the country’s case can be heard and then win new partners, ideas and support in the fight against the pandemic,’ said Margey.
He added, ’Much as I can appreciate the central government’s efforts in taming the pandemic locally, I am however, not happy by the way, responsible authorities prepare her people to represent the country in such very important meetings.’
He said, countries like, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya and Senegal had a well-coordinated participation to the session, and had their recommendations.
’I am proud to say that those countries are not better than us in the waging the war against AIDS. However, the way they express their cases internationally, give them opportunities of being accepted,’ he said.
If I was to give my advice concerning the national authorities on HIV/AIDS, preparations should be made much earlier, rather than waiting to awake at the last minute.
Despite all the shortfalls, Margey said, Tanzanian delegation was part to the 47 political declaration recommendations from the civil society that were issued on June 1st , this year.
Section 44 of the recommendations stated: ’’We, the Civil Society commit to intensify investment in and efforts towards the research and development of new, safe and affordable HIV/AIDS-related medicines, products and technologies, such as vaccines, female-controlled methods and microbicides, paediatric antiretroviral formulation and second-line therapies, as well as encourage increased investment in HIV/AIDS.”
Among the national recommendations made by the Tanzanian Civil Society and submitted to the Prime Minister, Edward Lowassa who represented the country to Head of States session, were the importance of the Global Fund in reaching universal access by 2010 and need for all technically sound round 6 proposals to be fully approved and funded in 2006.
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