PEPFAR COP/ROP 2021 Planning Process

Following a temporary pause due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PEPFAR Country/Regional Operational Plan (COP/ROP) 2021 planning process resumed on April 1, 2021.  PEPFAR is firmly committed to ensure that collaborative, transparent, and data-driven COP/ROP 2021 plans are completed in every PEPFAR-supported country and region and that there is no disruption in HIV services at the start of fiscal year (FY) 2022.

The Biden-Harris Administration is fully committed to and supportive of PEPFAR’s mission to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic as successfully led and managed by the State Department, executed through U.S. government implementing agencies, and conducted in close collaboration with our many partners and communities around the globe. COP/ROP 2021 will reflect and incorporate new policies prioritized by the Biden-Harris Administration, including rescission of the Mexico City Policy, reengagement with the World Health Organization, and others that are relevant to PEPFAR.

The significant time and effort already invested by PEPFAR teams and partners to inform programmatic direction in line with the existing FY 2021 planning level budgets is being well utilized in the resumption of COP/ROP 2021 planning. The resumption of COP/ROP 2021 builds upon this good work and delivers a much shortened and streamlined process that continues to prioritize meaningful and transparent dialogue with partner governments, multilaterals, and civil society, to the greatest extent feasible given the unprecedented situation of COVID-19.

The PEPFAR COP/ROP 2021 process is shorter and much more flexible than in previous years as is summarized below.

• April 1-14, 2021: Preparations and deliberations within the U.S. government interagency and partners.
• April 15-29, 2021: Maximum of 2 days (4 hours per day) of virtual planning/review meetings for all countries and regions focused on their respective priority areas, occurring on a rolling basis.  Countries and regions have the flexibility to self-select earlier dates within this window if they are closer to completion. Those that feel they need more time can self-select later dates within this window.
• May 3-21, 2021: Streamlined tool completion, submission and approvals for each country or region occur on a rolling basis. Countries and regions have the flexibility to complete their COP/ROP 2021 process sooner than May 3, if they wish.

Following COP/ROP 2021 headquarters approvals, PEPFAR will work through the summer months to move expeditiously through the required processes of Congressional notifications, approvals, and transfer of funds to implementing agencies in advance of the beginning of FY 2022.

PEPFAR is deeply grateful to all of its teams and partners for their continued flexibility, patience, and commitment to ensuring access to life-saving HIV services around the globe.

• Download COP/ROP 2021 Virtual Handbook  [2 MB]
• Download COP/ROP 2021 FAQs [317 KB]
• Watch the Full COP/ROP 2021 Opening Plenary 
• Download COP/ROP 2021 Opening Plenary Presentation [21 MB]