PIRMCCM* members met over the 18 to 21 October 2009 for their 9th Annual meeting. The meeting brought together PIRMCCM members, developing partners (including WHO and AusAID), implementing agencies (including International Federation of Red Crosses and Red Crescents, Marie Stopes International Pacific, UNFPA, UNAIDS, Rotarians Against Malaria and Pacific Conference of Churches), the donor (The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria), the LFA (KPMG-Fiji) and SPC as the “Principal Recipient” of the three grants (Round 7 HIV and Tuberculosis grants and RCC Malaria grant).

PIRMCCM new leadership

Effective from 1 November 2009, the new PIRMCCM Executive Committee will be chaired by High Chief Jackson from SUNGO of Samoa. Dr Stephen Homasi from the Ministry of Health of Tuvalu is the Vice-Chair. Other Executive members are:

• Mr Albino Bobogare from the Ministry of Health and Medical Service of Solomon Islands;
• Mrs Johanna Ngiruchelbad from the Bureau of Public Health of Palau;
• Mrs Polly Cabia Tongia from Cook Islands National Council of Women;
• Mr Robert Spegal from Micronesia Human Resources Development Center from FSM;
• Mrs Maire Bopp from PIAF representing people living with HIV;
• Mr Peter Thomas from Rotarians Against Malaria ;
• Dr Thierry Jubeau from SPC; and
• Dr Ken Chen from WHO.

The new team’s main focus will be to ensure that the Round 7 HIV and Tuberculosis grants get continuing funding and better oversee the activities’ implementation at the Sub-Recipients’ level.

Focus on gender

Strategic decisions taken by the PIRMCCM at its 9th annual meeting to strengthen their oversight role and prepare the Round 7 HIV and Tuberculosis grants Phase 2 application to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria included:

1. Review of the PIRMCCM Operational Procedures and the Technical Working Groups' Terms of Reference and adoption of new policies (Conflict of Interest Policy, Travel Policy and PIRMCCM Observer status);
2. Re-confirmation of the importance to adopt a Gender and Human rights policy and agreement on appointing a Gender Sub-Committee to write the policy;
3. Review the Principal Recipient’s (PR) grant management; and
4. The election of a new Executive leadership.

All the documents related to strategic decisions are on the website:

http://www.spc.int/frp/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=22&Itemid=33

More background on the PIRMCCM

The Pacific Island Regional Multi-Country Coordinating Mechanism (PIRMCC) is essential to the Global Fund’s commitment to regional ownership and participatory decision-making. This regional-level partnership has developed and submitted the Round 7 HIV and Tuberculosis grants proposals to the Global Fund based on priority needs at the regional level.

For the past 18 months, the PIRMCCM has been overseeing the progress of both grants' implementation in the 12 Pacific Islands Countries and Territories receiving funds.