(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Confidence in PANCAP’s ability to build on past successes to reverse or even eliminate the spread of AIDS was expressed by Professor Edward Greene, as he reiterated his support for the Partnership.

In an inaugural visit to the Secretariat of the Partnership, one day before the regional partnership celebrates its 11th anniversary, the UN Special Envoy for HIV in the Caribbean made a number of recommendations. These included amending the Partnership’s current communication strategies, rationalising resources and implementing a “governance” arrangement, based on shared partnerships and collective leadership.

In his remarks, Professor Greene who indicated that his focus as UN Special Envoy would be on the UN mandate Getting to Zero; expressed confidence in PANCAP’s ability to build on its past success and reverse the spread or even eliminate AIDS. The UN Envoy recommended that PANCAP move to implement the recommendations of the Declaration of the 10th Annual General meeting; which included reviving the Champions for Change Initiative. This, he intimated, was critical for addressing the difficult conversations as the Partnership upscaled its prevention efforts.

Director of the PANCAP Project Coordinating Unit, Mrs. Juliette Bynoe-Sutherland in welcoming Professor Greene, called attention to his distinguished academic background, his sterling contribution to the region and his ability to bring life to ideas through partnership building, negotiation and his own personal good will.

Mrs. Bynoe-Sutherland also identified and lauded Professor Greene’s most recent contribution as Assistant Secretary General for Human and Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, his involvement in the development of PANCAP as well as the newly launched Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).