Speeches

Walter Reed/U.S. Military HIV Research Program Scientific Investigators Meeting

VENUE: Arusha

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Remarks by Ambassador Mark Green

Habari za asubuhi! (Good Morning!)
Waheshimiwa Wageni Waalikwa (Honorable invited guests)
Mweshimiwa...
Mabibi na mabwana (Ladies and Gentlemen)
Nimefurahi kuwa hapa asubuhi hii (I am happy to be here this morning)

Thank you Colonel Michael for that kind introduction.

I am honored to be here with you this morning and it is a pleasure to welcome our guests visiting from around the globe, including Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Thailand, the United States, and those joining us from here in Tanzania. Karibuni!

The work that each of you is doing is essential in fighting HIV, but we all know that in order to achieve the momentous tasks at hand, it is imperative that we continuously learn from our experiences, absorbing new information and consulting one another. We are pleased to host you this week as you do just that, and we look forward to the many benefits that I’m certain will come from your discussions.

Although I am relatively new in Tanzania--I recently celebrated my two month anniversary of arriving in country--my commitment to Africa began years ago. In 1987, my wife Sue and I worked in Kenya for one year through the World Teach Project. We had the great privilege of traveling in Tanzania and visited places like Tabora, Mwanza, Musoma and Kigoma. It was during this time we came to appreciate the region and what advances could be brought to the communities we lived in, where even basic healthcare could be improved.

To build upon my support and respect for the communities and people of Africa, I devoted time when I served in the United States House of Representatives to create the Global Access to HIV/ AIDS Prevention, Awareness and Treatment Act of 2001, the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act, as well as the Millennium Challenge Act. All of these are representative of America’s historic commitment to invest in developing nations throughout the continent, and throughout the world.

My commitment to these issues remains steadfast and the efforts that you are making towards advancing healthcare for everyone are at the heart of our American policy to advance access to quality services around the world.

The United States Military HIV Research Program’s global successes are an example of how international, collaborative science can advance these efforts.

The entity of the USMHRP, and its many facets, makes it a complex player in the HIV/AIDS field. But among the layers of complexity is a program with a real-life story to tell--the story of advancing public healthcare worldwide.

From their initial goal of advancing to a Phase III community-based HIV vaccine trial which began in Thailand in 1991 to the development of comprehensive research programs in Africa, USMHRP has been a global player in fighting HIV/AIDS, both in the military community and the civilian world. Here in Tanzania, they are an essential element of the PEPFAR team.

In fact, I am looking forward to the opening of the new Center of Excellence for Infectious Disease Research at the Mbeya Referral Hospital, which is supported by USMHRP, in the beginning of 2008.

This training center exemplifies how multiple partners come together to strengthen a region's health care system by enhancing the local hospital’s HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment efforts. It synergizes the work of both the USMHRP and the Mbeya Medical Research Program to make a difference in the region.

These efforts are essential contributions to the work of PEPFAR in Tanzania. They are one of the many reasons that our greater PEPFAR program is on track to meet its final targets in Tanzania. We will see 200,000 individuals on antiretroviral drugs; provide care for 1.1 million individuals, including orphans and vulnerable children; and prevent 490,000 new HIV infections. These numbers encompass hundreds of thousands of individuals that would not receive HIV/AIDS related services and interventions without the assistance of PEPFAR.

As this meeting progresses, my team specifically looks forward to learning more about your countries HIV/AIDS prevention, awareness, and treatment work, as well as your research activities. The more knowledge this Mission can obtain from the interchange will only enhance the work we do in Tanzania. Partnership with our African neighbors also advances research and clinical activities related to HIV/AIDS.

To come together as a group to discuss your current progress and the way forward is an important step in your continued efforts. Many of you have been working hard to prepare for the possible start of the HIV vaccine trial PAVE 100. Each country has built an impressive portfolio of capabilities that is improving global health. Continued discussion with your Thai colleagues on lessons learned from the Thailand community-based Phase III trial is vital.

This meeting represents a global commitment to respond to a severe public health crisis. This type of forum is a model of how to advance successful healthcare programs through a truly collaborative effort.

As I close, I want to thank the U.S. Military HIV Research Program for selecting Tanzania as the site for your investigator meeting. The beauty of the Arusha region, and the openness of the Tanzanian community is an ideal setting for this important exchange of information.

As you work through these next three days, please be aware that the U.S. Mission in Tanzania supports not only the efforts of this country, but all the countries coming together to discuss advances in your field. May you gain strength from the support of the Government of Tanzania, the U.S. Mission to Tanzania, as well as your host countries as you return home and continue to advance your efforts in HIV vaccine trials.

The world stage is ready for continued advancements in the management of HIV/AIDS.

Asenteni sana. Thank you.