The NUST Centre for international Peace and Stability (CIPS) ex NIPCONS signed a cooperation agreement with the UNAIDS Country Office for Pakistan and Afghanistan for cooperation in educaton and training of peace keepers on HIV and AIDS
ISLAMABAD (Pakistan Point News - 26th Jan, 2018 ) The NUST Centre for international Peace and Stability (CIPS) ex NIPCONS signed a cooperation agreement with the UNAIDS Country Office for Pakistan and Afghanistan for cooperation in educaton and training of peace keepers on HIV and AIDS. Maj General (R) Mazhar Saleem Khan, Principal CIPS, and Dr. Mamadou L. Sakho, Country Director, UNAIDS Country Office for Pakistan and Afghanistan signed the MoU on the behalf of the two organizations.
In signing this Declaration of Partnership, UNAIDS and the NUST-CIPS agree to work together towards achieving the following goals to mitigate the impact of HIV & AIDS among UN peacekeepers in the uniformed services through training and education on I) Basic knowledge on HIV and AIDS transmission II) HIV Prevention and precautionary measures III) HIV related Vulnerabilities in mission area for UN Peacekeepers IV) HIV Epidemiology V) Gender based violence and linkages with HIV VI)Sexual Exploitation and abuse.
During the signing agreement, Maj General (R) Mazhar Saleem Khan, Principal CIPS said that ‘We recognize the need to strengthen leadership for an effective response to HIV & AIDS at country level, and recognize that working with uniformed services will contribute greatly to moving ahead the national response to HIV & AIDS during pre-deployment period. We agree that we must act collectively to tackle HIV & AIDS among the uniformed services through a deepening of coordination, cooperation and partnership to address gender related vulnerabilities, prevent HIV transmission, and educate them on precaution and safety measures related to HIV and AIDS” Dr.
Mamadou L. Sakho while appreciating armed forces role in peacekeeping said that “Pakistan has played a significant role as UN member, in bringing peace through active diplomatic, moral and material support in various regions of the world through pivotal role that Pakistan Armed Forces played in UN peacekeeping measures, during war and peace time. He shared that HIV is being comprehensively integrated in all United Nations peacekeeping operations.
Reaching personnel who currently serve in UN peacekeeping missions not only helps protect their health and well-being, but the peacekeepers also serve as agents of change in surrounding communities and eventually in their home countries. If we do not address HIV among populations affected by conflict, natural disasters and emergencies, we will not see the end of the HIV epidemic by 2030 and UN peacekeepers can play a pivotal role as partners with UNAIDS.” The UNAIDS in its interaction with CIPS through this cooperation agreement, will provide with guest-speakers for the courses offered at CIPS that have currently been identified as relevant to both sides, and will invite CIPS staff to relevant UNAIDS hosted or sponsored training programmes / workshops within as well as outside Pakistan where considered appropriate.
