A Memorandum of Understanding will be signed tomorrow Friday 11 December 2009, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 11.00 am, between the Republic of Cyprus and UNITAID.

The Memorandum will be signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ambassador Nicholas Emiliou, on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chairman of the Executive Board of UNITAID, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, Mr. Philippe Douste-Blazy as well as by the Executive Secretary of UNITAID, Mr. Jorge Bermudez.

By signing the Memorandum, Cyprus will be actively participating in UNITAID with a contribution of 2,5 million euros over a six (6) year period.

UNITAID is an international innovative financing mechanism, set up to accelerate the treatment of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in developing countries. Founded in 2006 by the governments of Brazil, Chile, France, Norway and the United Kingdom, it aims at creating ‘healthy markets for medicines’ which will facilitate access to drugs and treatments in developing countries.

By joining UNITAID the Republic of Cyprus reiterates its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and actively contributes to international efforts to address current global development challenges.