Research could empower the national response to confidently respond to the epidemiology and dynamics of HIV transmission and infections as the epidemic evolves and new challenges emerge," he said.
Mr Masisi stated that the country recognized the role of research in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support as highlighted by the recent United Nations High Level meeting on HIV/AIDS.
Also, the country subscribed to the meeting's commitment to advance scientific knowledge about prevention and treatment.
He added that Botswana had noted the role played by social knowledge and operational research in understanding factors which influenced HIV/AIDS. "I cannot overemphasize the need to understand both the scientific and the cultural drivers of the epidemic in refocusing and shaping our interventions."
He expressed hope that researchers in HIV/AIDS policy will use the national research agenda to advocate a common cause in finding a lasting solution.
The UNAIDS director for East and Southern Africa, Professor Sheila Tlou commended the country for its endeavour to gather evidence to guide the national response.
She highlighted that there was need to use evidence for policy and programming, adding that robust research efforts were needed to accelerate efforts aimed at finding cure and developing a safe and effective vaccine. Prof. Tlou said focused studies were required to expedite the introduction of new prevention tools, identify more effective strategies to increase HIV testing and link individuals who tested HIV positive to continuous high care quality.
She said sustainable financing over the long term will require accelerating efforts to identify innovative financing mechanisms that will generate additional resources.
For his part, managing director for Botswana Harvard Partnership, Dr Joseph Makhema said the research agenda will strengthen and guide the country's interventions.
Dr Makhema reminded that HIV/AIDS issues were complex and multi dimensional and as such there was need for collaboration between researchers, institutions, civil society organizations and public institutions. He said national HIV/AIDS researches must be carried out in such a way that they were multi disciplinary and complementary, Dr Makhema advised.