Health ministers of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) today are revealed to have established a health research and development network on HIV-AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Lisbon.

The ministers believe that the network is set up because the surging rate of people affected from HIV-AIDS and STDs have posed as a global emergency and a challenge to sustainable development, to the closer cooperation among the community and to the results obtained by Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau and East Timor.

President of the Republic, José Eduardo dos Santos cited the main emphasis on forming clear programs and tasking responsibilities, in addition to resources to municipal administrations, with the establishment of commissions led by the administrators' wives, who are able to interact with those in power.

The network, called RIDES-SIDA CPLP, is anticipated to further stronger the programs of CPLP member states on HIV-AIDS and STDs via technical cooperation and policy concentration.

The CPLP member states include Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tome and Principe and East Timor.