U.S. Government Signs an Historic Agreement with the Republic of Cameroon

The U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon, the Honorable Niels Marquardt, and the Minister of Public Health of the Government of Cameroon, the Honorable Urbain Olanguena Awono, sign the "Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Cameroon for Cooperation in Preventing and Controlling HIV/AIDS, Avian Influenza, and Other Infectious Diseases."

June 26, 2007 - On June 14, 2007, at a ceremony in Yaounde, Cameroon, the U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon, the Honorable Niels Marquardt, and the Minister of Public Health of the Government of Cameroon, the Honorable Urbain Olanguena Awono, signed the "Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Cameroon for Cooperation in Preventing and Controlling HIV/AIDS, Avian Influenza, and Other Infectious Diseases." The new Government-to-Government Agreement establishes the official framework for expanding and strengthening the relationship between the United States and Cameroon in the areas of HIV/AIDS, avian influenza, and other infectious diseases.

The people of Cameroon live in the midst of a generalized HIV epidemic and endemic malaria transmission, and face the potential threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The U.S. government recognizes that international partnership and collaboration, such as the one formalized by this new Agreement, greatly reinforce our abilities to combat infectious diseases and improve public health in Cameroon and around the globe.

Highlighting the existing cooperation among the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Defense and Cameroonian institutions, Ambassador Marquardt said at the signing ceremony, "The accord today signals Cameroon’s wish to invite the Government of the United States to carry out open and transparent research in the country in accordance with the highest ethical standards, and in mutually agreed-upon priority areas."

The focus of current U.S.-funded health research activities is in the areas of HIV and malaria. In addition, the U.S. Government directly funds disease-prevention and treatment programs in Cameroon.

For more information:

• Statement of U.S. Ambassador Niels Marquardt
• Photo Gallery from Signing

Last revised: August 16, 2007