The way forward: maximizing our impact through shared responsibility and smart investments

Scientific innovation and research advances have enabled significant progress toward what President Obama and Secretary Clinton have described as an AIDS-free generation. Over the past decade, the United States, through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, has played a key role in laying the foundation for this goal. However, the global AIDS response is a shared responsibility that must be met by the global community. This article explores key questions to guide global partners' efforts in maximizing the impact of bilateral, multilateral, and partner country investments. To inform decision-making, make smart investments and support country ownership of programs, areas of analysis should include the following: the use of economic and financial data to understand expenditures; allocation of resources based on scientific evidence of impact; opportunities for collaboration with governments, the Global Fund and others to align programs; and streamlining of business processes to maximize impact. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief has applied this analysis in planning expansion of antiretroviral treatment programs, allowing investments to be tailored to country circumstances-a key to making smart investments and increasing the number of lives saved with the resources given.