RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — FHI 360 applauds today's release of the PEPFAR Blueprint: Creating an AIDS-free Generation. This document provides a roadmap for how the U.S. government will work with partners to help achieve an AIDS-free generation throughout the world. The blueprint is available at www.pepfar.gov.

In presenting the blueprint, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called it, "our promise — and our challenge — to the world." She said that the plan sends an unequivocal message that the United States' commitment to the global AIDS response will remain strong, comprehensive and driven by science.

FHI 360 is proud to be among a number of organizations that provided input into the development of this blueprint. Our staff has been partnering toward an AIDS-free generation since the beginning of the epidemic. Our work has focused on access to HIV testing, prevention, care and treatment services, capacity-building in resource poor settings, cutting edge HIV-prevention research, and improved standards for prevention and care in the U.S. and around the world. As we look to the future, FHI 360 will continue to partner toward a shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths and zero discrimination.

The blueprint is driven by five key principles that are the foundation of PEPFAR's work with countries to fight AIDS:

• Making strategic, scientifically sound investments to rapidly scale-up core HIV prevention, treatment and care interventions
• Work with partners to effectively mobilize, coordinate and efficiently use resources to save more lives sooner
• Focus on women and girls to increase gender equality
• End stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and marginalized populations
• Set benchmarks that are regularly assessed to assure goals are being met

"In the past few years, we have developed new HIV prevention and treatment tools and are continuing to learn how best to apply these tools to reduce new HIV infections and extend the lives of those living with HIV." said Dr. Tim Mastro, FHI 360 Group Director of Global Health, Population and Nutrition. "The Blueprint provides solid guidance on how best to use science to direct the smart, sustained investments that will be required to build on the progress made to date."

"The blueprint is an important milestone. For the millions of people around the world who are living with HIV and those at risk, this is a call to action. We must now all work to scale-up our research, program and policy efforts of the past three decades to bring an end to AIDS," said A. Cornelius Baker, Technical Advisor, FHI 360 Integrated Health Sciences.

Dr. Al Siemens, Chief Executive Officer of FHI 360 said, "PEPFAR's investment over the past decade has saved millions of lives through increased access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support programs. We look forward to continuing our joint efforts to 'getting to zero.'"