U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Susan E. Rice today announced that the USAIDS and UNICEF are investing measures to eliminate pediatric AIDS by accelerating the scale-up of more effective antiretroviral regimens to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission.
At the U.S. opening intervention at the UNICEF Executive Board Meeting, Ms. Rice emphasized that the U.S Government and UNICEF share a strong commitment to improving global health outcomes.
“Last year we welcomed UNICEF’s focus on equity, which enables the most vulnerable children in the hardest to reach areas to receive assistance. The United States has accelerated our own activities to assist vulnerable children in line with UNICEF’s new approach.” -Ms. Rice
She cited that through a new agreement between USAID and UNICEF, both are expanding their long-standing partnership in three priority areas that will help save millions of lives.
Ms. Rice announced that USAID and UNICEF are aggressively working to increase access to new vaccines designed to protect children against the two leading causes of global child mortality: pneumonia and diarrhea.
“We are collaborating to end malaria as a major public health problem across sub-Saharan Africa by intensifying current control efforts and extending the reach of malaria interventions to the remaining under-served areas in high burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa.” -Ms. Rice
She stressed that transparency and accountability across all of the UN remains a top priority for the United States. She added that the U.S. government remains dedicated to ensuring that the UN funds and programs move urgently to implement full disclosure of all audit, oversight and financial information.
“UNDP, UNFPA, and UNOPS have all recently implemented institutional donor access to audits. At this Board, we look forward to adoption of a decision to simplify access for member states to internal audit reports, as well as to provide similar access to some of our key partners, including intergovernmental donors and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.” -Ms. Rice
She explained that progress on transparency will complement the great progress UNICEF has already made in the implementation of a strong accountability system, the establishment of an ethics office, and the continuing improvement of the audit and evaluation functions.
Ms. Rice commended UNICEF for delivering aid quickly and efficiently under very difficult circumstances. She added that the United States has been the top donor in addressing this crisis, but more needs to be done quickly.
We urge fellow Board members to increase their contributions to tackle this emergency.you will find the United States an active and committed partner in addressing the needs of the world’s children.” -Ms. Rice
