Botswana will this weeek launch its first National HIV and AIDS Research Agenda. The National Research Agenda is a compilation of research areas which needs research or further investigation.

The Agenda was informed by the Second National HIV and AIDS, STIs and Other Related Infectious Diseases Conference, (NHASORC II) which was held in May 2010. The conference identified research gaps that needed to be addressed in order to mitigate the impact of the epidemic.

Research has been identified as one area that could contribute to finding ways of addressing the key drivers of HIV and decrease incidence rates of HIV in Botswana.

Botswana is also obliged to report periodically on general progress on its research agenda, resources and gaps as part of the national commitment to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session, (UNGASS)

The agenda will promote research coordination, guide research institutions on existing information gaps in the HIV and AIDS interventions, avoid duplication of effors leading to wastage of resources and ensure that all important questions are being studied.

It will also be used as a decision making tool for the basis of funding for research on HIV and AIDS and enhance ownership of research and ensuring recommendations are implemented. The agenda will be launched in Gaborone on July 5 by UNAIDS Regional Director Professor Sheila Tlou.