4 September 2007 - for immediate release The Alliance has welcomed the new International Health Partnership, to be launched by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and other governments, donors and international organisations on 5 September in London. The initiative aims to accelerate progress on the health-related millennium development goals (MDGs) by supporting better co-ordination, planning and accountability within state health systems in poorer countries.

Alvaro Bermejo, Alliance Executive Director, said:

"This initiative builds on previous efforts to make aid more effective and co-ordinated, and we welcome the recognition of the importance of strong health systems in responding to HIV and achieving the health-related MDGs.

"Indeed, it has been through the strong global political commitments to address HIV that the chronic underinvestment in health systems has become apparent - and the critical importance of building these health systems highlighted.

"Signatories must learn from the experience of funding the HIV response and make sure that there is transparency and accountability in how budget support funding to national governments is being used to strengthen health systems, and create mechanisms to ensure that civil society can be fully engaged in national governance, planning and implementation. The new initiative should also build on the proven success of the Global Fund in getting much needed resources to those in need, in a transparent and accountable way.

"The international community has shown strong leadership in its commitments to Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010. This new initiative builds on those commitments, and should be welcomed. But ultimately if Universal Access and the health-related MDGs are to be achieved, the international community also needs to significantly increase the level of funds available for global health. Countries cannot progress towards the health MDGs spending 15 dollars per person year on health"

Cambodia is one of the 'first wave' countries where the partnership will be put to the test. Oum Sopheap, Executive Director of KHANA, the Alliance linking organisation in Cambodia, said:

"The stigma and discrimination that surrounds HIV means that marginalised and vulnerable populations most affected by HIV often receive little if any benefit from government health investment. An important part of the success of this initiative will rest on the creation of mechanisms to ensure accountability and good governance, to track how general budget support funding is used, and how much reaches the most vulnerable and marginalised. Complementary mechanisms will need to be put in place if the evidence shows money is not reaching those most in need."

Ends Editor's notes Established in 1993, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is a global partnership of national organisations working to support community action on AIDS in developing countries. These national partners help local community groups and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take action on AIDS, and are supported by technical expertise, policy work and fundraising carried out at the UK-based international secretariat and across the Alliance. The Alliance has worked with community organisations from over 40 countries, provided financial support to over 3,000 projects (implemented by over 2,000 community and faith-based groups). Expenditure in 2006 alone was over US $58 million (£30 million). More information about the work of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance is available from www.aidsalliance.org. Alternatively, and to arrange interviews, please contact Simon Moore. T: 01273 718744. E: smoore@aidsalliance.org or Rhian Evans. T: 01273 718961. E: revans@aidsalliance.org