First Annual PEPFAR Caribbean Regional Meeting to be held in Barbados

Bridgetown, Barbados Friday, January 7, 2011 - On January 12th and 13th, the U.S. Embassy to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean will host the First Annual PEPFAR Caribbean Regional Meeting.

This meeting will bring together U.S. Government officials and our Caribbean partners to recognize the first year of PEPFAR activities in the regional Caribbean program, and continue the planning process for successful implementation of the Partnership Framework.

Participants will include Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby, Health Ministers from CARICOM and the Dominican Republic, nine U.S. Chiefs of Mission, other high-level representatives from twelve Partnership Framework countries and three bi-lateral country programs, CARICOM and OECS representatives, and other key stakeholders.

The opening session of the Regional Meeting will begin on Wednesday, January 12th at 9 am at the Hilton Hotel with welcome remarks by Dr. D. Brent Hardt, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy, and Barbados' Minister of Health Donville Inniss.  St. Kitts & Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas will speak on behalf of CARICOM. U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby will deliver a key note address and open the two-day event. 

You are cordially invited to send a representative to cover this opening session. Media are requested to arrive at the Hilton Hotel by 7:30 am for security screening.

 Background 

PEPFAR, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS around the world, is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease internationally.  PEPFAR is part of the President's Global Health Initiative which focuses on improving the health of women, newborns and children, to save the greatest number of lives by increasing and building upon successes and, then, supporting countries as they work to improve the health of their own people.

The "PEPFAR II" theme of country ownership and partnership with local government will be emphasized at this meeting. The U.S. and our Caribbean partners will explore increased sustainability of HIV/AIDS programs in partner countries and the region, review the changing environment in the Caribbean that impacts the health systems, and identify ways in which the U.S. and our Caribbean partners can work together to maximize available resources and prioritize HIV/AIDS issues in health programs.

For more information on PEPFAR programs, please visit http://www.pepfar.gov/