UN hails Baku-hosted Global Forums   PHOTO

Azerbaijan’s Health Minister Teymur Musayev has met with United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Winifred Byanyima on the sidelines of the 11th Global Baku Forum.

Regional Director for Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions at UNAIDS Eamonn Murphy also attended the meeting, the ministry told Caliber.Az.

Minister Musayev thanked the UN Under-Secretary-General for attending the Global Baku Forum.

"As Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted, the 11th Global Baku Forum is an important platform in terms of discussing topical issues on the international agenda. At present, under the leadership of the head of state, Azerbaijan takes all necessary measures to make this event effective in its content," the minister added.

In his remarks, the health minister also pointed to Azerbaijan's close cooperation with relevant UN institutions. According to the minister, in Azerbaijan, in order to maintain the national strategic directions in the fight against HIV with the support of UNAIDS/WHO, since 2006 every 5 years the Cabinet of Ministers approves the Program of Measures to Combat HIV/AIDS: "The goal of the program is to reduce the prevalence of HIV infection in Azerbaijan, prolong the life of people living with HIV and improve the quality of their lives".

In conclusion, the Azerbaijani minister pointed out joint efforts to fight HIV/AIDS worldwide, as well as potential opportunities for cooperation.

Winifred Byanyima recalled her meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev last year and her participation in the jubilee edition of the Global Baku Forum.

She noted that Azerbaijan has always excellently hosted the Global Forums. Emphasizing Azerbaijan's achievements in the field of health care, including the fight against infectious diseases and AIDS, the UN Under-Secretary-General underlined the significant accomplishments in the implementation of the set tasks and successful implementation of sustainable development programs in this sphere.

The sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.