Abidjan-Lagos corridor organization chart path to end AIDS in Africa

Holds first annual statutory meeting in Abuja today.

Determined to meet its mandate of coordinating Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)/Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) strategies and national policies along the West African coast into an effective and coherent system and boost these policies as well; the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization (ALCO) will hold its first annual statutory meeting of Governing Board of Year 2016 today Thursday June 23 and Friday June 24, 2016, at Stonehedge Hotel in Abuja.

The Heads of States of the five coastal countries (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, Togo and Nigeria), through a Joint Declaration signed in April 2002 endorsed the creation of ALCO and the establishment of its executive and statutory bodies, among which, the Project Governing Board (PGB).

With the advent of the HIV pandemic, the Heads of State of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria agreed to create the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Organization (ALCO) on April 30, 2002. Its mandate is to conduct a regional cross-border HIV prevention and management program and facilitate the free movement of people and goods to complement national efforts.

Other missions of ALCO include: Control the specific phenomenon of the spread of HIV/AIDS and STIs along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor; strengthen, create or help in creating health institutions and services to combat HIV/AIDS; facilitate access to preventive measures and care centers for migrants and local populations in contact with them; build the capacity of national public and private institutions involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS and facilitate cooperation among them; negotiate with development partners interested with the objective of this agreement on behalf of member states; cooperate with all regional and sub-regional organizations especially ECOWAS; and promote identical legislation in the five member countries in relation to national policies where necessary.

Meanwhile, the PGB decides of the strategies of the Organization, brings the programme to an end, controls the activities of the Executive Secretariat and approves the Executive Secretary’s report.