At its 41^st Meeting of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria the Allocation Methodology was approved ahead of the Sixth Replenishment scheduled for October 2019 in France. The Global Fund has set a target of US$14 million. As a member of the Board of the Global Fund, I can attest that this global financing mechanism is one of the most transparent. The Global Fund’s governance has significantly improved over the last few years with the establishment of an Ethics and Governance Committee and the hiring of an Ethics Officer and staff to support his function.

In 2016 the USAID-Johns Hopkins University funded PANCAP Knowledge Health Project was established in response to the challenge faced by the Partnership in relation to a lack of knowledge management (KM) expertise and documentation of case studies and best practices among the PANCAP stakeholders, particularly National AIDS Programme Managers and Civil Society Organizations.  Another challenge was limited visibility of PANCAP and its achievements.

Three years into its implementation, the project has had achievements. These include building the capacity of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit staff and PANCAP partners, particularly National AIDS Programme Managers and civil society partners to use knowledge management approaches, document good practices, synthesise, package and share information.  Partners are now utilising knowledge management approaches in their work.  The PANCAP website was revamped and is now the ‘go to’ website for up to date information on HIV.  The PCU now uses various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to reach a wider audience, including youth.  Several NAP managers and other ministry of health staff, and civil society representatives from various countries have benefited from the learning exchanges to HIV programmes in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and The Bahamas.  The project also established a virtual learning experience through PANCAP webinars focused on 90-90-90, Treat All, innovative prevention strategies and sustainability.  A Knowledge Management Working Group has been established to encourage and support a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing across the region.  The work of the Partnership is now very visible and has contributed to increased ownership and appreciation of the added value of PANCAP countries and the region.

While the Johns Hopkins support to PANCAP ends in September, the PANCAP Knowledge for Health Project will continue with funding from PEPFAR-USAID. The responsibility for the management and coordination of the Knowledge for Health Project will now fully reside with the PANCAP Coordinating Unit. This development demonstrates that Johns Hopkins University has successfully built the PCU’s capacity to sustain knowledge management within the Partnership.

I wish to thank Johns Hopkins Knowledge for Health Project team for their technical guidance and for building our capacity to fully serve as the knowledge hub, and for transforming our website and communication. We are appreciative of PEPFAR’s commitment to supporting our knowledge management function. I am particularly pleased with the performance of the two knowledge management staff, Dr Shanti Singh-Anthony, Knowledge Coordinator and Mr Timothy Austin, Communications Specialist. They have the confidence of the Partnership and continue to provide knowledge management support and share their expertise with the Partnership.