Recognising that parliamentarians play a key role in advancing the development agenda, particularly in mobilising the necessary support and in holding government leaders accountable for their commitments, the Parliamentary Advisory Committee of Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung, the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF), in collaboration with the DSW, organised a meeting of parliamentarians.  This was to create support for the G8’s commitment to devise a set of actions for the fight against HIV and AIDS and for Africa’s development. The conference stood in the tradition of two respective parliamentary conferences in conjunction with the G8-Presidency of the UK (2005) and Russia (2006).
On 30-31 May 2007, more than 150 parliamentarians from African, European, Asian and G8 countries and international experts met at the “G8 Parliamentarians Conference on the Economic Rewards of Investing in HIV/AIDS Prevention and Health" in the German Parliament.  The event was attended by several high level politicians and ministers, for example, Sibylle Pfeiffer, MP and Chair of the Parliamentary Advisory Committee of Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung, spoke on behalf of the President of the German Parliament, Dr. Norbert Lammert. Other high-level speakers included Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Karin Kortmann, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and Thomas de Maizière who is Head of the Federal Chancellery.

The parliamentarians concluded with a very strong appeal which was sent out from the MPs themselves to the Heads of State and Governments. As a result of this appeal, the parliamentarians have committed themselves to providing the political leadership at national, European and international levels to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic and call for the G8 Heads of State and governments to join in the efforts. The appeal is also calling for investments in long term solutions to the lack of health infrastructure and supplies as well as investment in young people. Furthermore it focuses on the synergies in linking sexual and reproductive health services and HIV/AIDS programs.

"I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation for this excellent conference.  Together we shall keep the torch of SRH&R alive internationally" Tewodros Melesse, Regional Director of IPPF, Africa Region.

"Thank you for a wonderful experience and a unique opportunity to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS. The conference was excellent." Dr. Akudo Anyanwu Ikemba MD, MPH, CEO of the Friends of the Global Fund Africa.

"Congratulations for the success of our appeal to the G8 Summit. Hope that the promises will become reality in the nearest future. On behalf of all African countries and particularly the 15 ECOWAS (West Africa) countries and also WAHO (West African Health Organisation) I would like to thank all of you." Dr Johanna Austin Benjamin, WAHO

Pictures of the conference can be viewed here.

The Parliamentary Appeal to G8 Heads of State and Governments can be downloaded here.

Please click here to download the programme of the conference.