In late 2011, under the leadership of UNAIDS and with the support of the Regional Economic Communities (EAC and SADC), the UN initiated a process that aimed to develop and implement a commitment around the needs and rights of young people. The initiative has now expanded to include core UN partners and civil society organizations from across the region.

The commitment has brought together both education and health sector, policy makers and young people: to collaborate and strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights. The endorsed commitment has an accountability clause that binds the countries to deliver on certain targets in a given time period. Targets have been set for both 2015 and 2020.