The Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Mr Michel Sidibe, will be embarking on a multi-country visit to three of the hyper-endemic countries in Southern Africa. The visit will commence in Swaziland from 14 – 16 February 2010, Botswana on 17 -18 February 2010 and South Africa 19 February 2010.

Southern Africa continues to carry the highest burden of the HIV epidemic globally with 67% of all HIV infected people living in the region and 49% of all new HIV infections occurring in the region. Mr Sidibe will be using the opportunity of his visit to explore joint actions with Heads of State and Government, Parliaments, Civil Society Organizations and Development Partners to explore efforts to reduce new HIV infections to meet the SADC endorsed target of reducing new HIV infections by 50% by 2015 and to ensure the sustainability of financing for the HIV response.
Members of the press are invited to engage with The UNAIDS Executive Director during his multi-country visit at the following times and locations:

Swaziland
Date, time:        Tuesday 16 February 12h20 – 13h00
Venue:               Lilunga House, UNCT Conference Room, 5th Floor Mbabane
Speakers:         Mr Michel Sidibe, Executive Director, UNAIDS
                           Mr Benedict Xaba, Minister of Health, Kingdom of Swaziland
                           Mr. Musinga Bandora, UN Resident Coordinator
Botswana
Date, time:        Thursday 18 February 14h30 -15h15
Venue:               UN Place, UN Conference Room, Plot 22 Khama Crescent. Gaberone
Speakers:         Mr Michel Sidibe, Executive Director, UNAIDS

                          
UNAIDS
Leveraging the AIDS response, UNAIDS works to build political action and to promote the rights all of people for better results for global health and development. Globally, it sets policy and is the source of HIV-related data. In countries, UNAIDS brings together the resources of the UNAIDS Secretariat and 10 UN system organizations for coordinated and accountable efforts to unite the world against AIDS. www.unaids.org

UNAIDS Press Contact
UN Swaziland |Jabu Matsebula| +268 602 3500, |  jabu.matsebula@one.un.org,
UN Botswana |Irene Maina | + 267 3905480 | mainai@unaids.org
UNAIDS Johannesburg | Bathsheba Okwenje | okwenjeb@unaids.org | tel. +27 82 909 2638