Brian Brink, from the Partnership Forum Steering Committee, began by saying that he had the conviction that the Partnership Forum had been a great experience. He thanked everyone for the great job done and asked participants to complete the survey form, so that the next Partnership Forum could be improved upon. He reminded participants that the Partnership Forum is part of the Global Fund's governance structure and that the recommendations that had resulted from the meeting would be taken to the Global Fund Board. He stressed the importance of the work achieved in the previous two days and reassured everyone that all recommendations would be thought through and acted upon accordingly. He briefly explained that Shaun Mellors would read the recommendations prepared by participants, Pierre Blais would detail the steps that follow after the recommendations are presented, and Helen Evans would give a short overview of the meeting and conclusion. Participants would then be addressed by the Minister of Health of Senegal.

Shaun Mellors, Chair of the Partnership Forum, addressed participants and stated that he was given the impossible task of presenting the recommendations made over the previous two days in just twenty minutes. He said that the recommendations were the reflection of the groups' work and reflected different realities. He further clarified that the text had not been changed or amended, and that many of the recommendations may overlap or complement each other across the different groups. He also confirmed that the recommendations had been approved by each of the thematic groups. He then proceeded to read the them and reminded participants that there would not be time for discussion of this final document.

Download recommendations [pdf 118 KB]

After the reading the recommendations, there was also a resolution proposed for adoption by the plenary of the Partnership Forum, stating that the Global Fund would not hold meetings in countries where access is restricted for PLWHA. The audience applauded the initiative vigorously.

Pierre Blais then gave participants an overview of how the recommendations that had been read aloud would be acted upon. The following dates outline the steps to be followed:

• December 2008: recommendations laid out
• February 2009: Partnership Forum report released
• March 2009: recommendations go to the Policy & Strategy Committee
• May 2009: recommendations go to the 19^th Board meeting of the Global Fund
• 2010: Progress report released

He stressed the importance of each constituency collectively following up on the recommendations.

Helen Evans then thanked everyone, including the government of Senegal, the Partnership Forum Steering Committee, the inspiration of Shaun Mellors throughout the process, Sarah Middleton Lee for ensuring the high quality of the meeting and making sure all the voices were heard, the interpreters, her colleagues at the Secretariat for their hard work, and all participants for making their voices heard and delivering the recommendations which had been a great achievement.

She said that the Partnership Forum meetings get better every time and that there are many messages regarding the things that need to be improved. Some of the essential messages are to achieve good governance and accountability; address conflicts of interest within the CCM; address the needs of vulnerable groups, women and girls, and ensure that resources flow to them and through them to support others who are affected. She also highlighted the positive new addition of the parliamentarian constituency and thanked the creation and the work of this group. She also acknowledged the engagement of the private sector and stated that it was really encouraging that the private-public partnership is a positive development. She also noted that whereas the global economic crisis had overshadowed discussions, it had been heartening to have the reaffirmation from the donor constituency that their commitments would stand and hopefully increase. Statements given at this meeting, as well as the Financing for Development meeting at Doha, give a strong message that development is being recognized and health is a necessary investment for development.

She quoted Sigrun Mogedal from Norway, who said that the Global Fund is a different partnership and that it is indeed different because listening  is a core part of the Global Fund partnership. She affirmed that there is a passionate commitment towards the same goal and that it is challenging that not everyone has the same voices but that each listens with respect. She stated that a real partnership requires ongoing hard work at all levels, especially because the Global Fund is a very wide and diverse partnership, and it is working. She called for commitment to maintain the fight against the three diseases, to continue listening with respect and to move and act on decisions made as just talking does not deliver results. She concluded by reaffirming the Secretariat's commitment to implement the recommendations made, and to move them forward.

Safiatou Thiam, Minister of Health of Senegal, closed the meeting by stating that listening to the voices and having a spirit of partnership in the discussion and in decision-making is very positive.

She said that discussing issues of demand, implementation and partnership had been very productive and she insisted on the importance of including gender issues, as women are more affected by the diseases than men. She stressed the importance of addressing women and sexual minorities with interventions and intensifying activities related to vulnerable populations. She highlighted the importance of the recommendations on implementation and coordination and the need to work together to address the needs, implementing quality programs and strengthening health systems. She stressed the need to put a financing mechanism in a place that is predictable and sustainable, and called for governments to improve their interventions and coordination with partners to avoid duplication of activities.

Other related articles/infomation:

Recommendations [pdf 118 KB]

Article 1: The Partnership Forum 2008 kicks off

Article 2: Day 1, Global Fund Information Clinics at the Partnership Forum

Article 3: Day 1: Opening Ceremony

Article 4: Day 2, Plenary (morning)

Article 5: Day 2, Plenary: The Five Year Evaluation