NEW YORK, 16 June 2009: Top United Nations officials Tuesday urged countries to maintain and strengthen their commitments to tackle HIV and AIDS in the midst of the global economic downturn, warning that slashing resources now could mean greater costs and suffering in the future.
Addressing a meeting of the General Assembly in New York convened to assess progress in the response to the global epidemic, its President, Miguel D’Escoto, noted that people living with HIV/AIDS have been placed at greater risk as a result of the global financial and economic crisis that is crippling economies around the world.
– Even as we see signs of cutbacks in AIDS funding in many countries, we must remind governments and the international community that the world has the resources to mount the kind of AIDS response to which we have committed. If we allow cuts now, we will face increased costs and great human suffering in the future, he stated.
In 2006, the Assembly pledged to achieve universal access to comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010. A report by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on progress on HIV/AIDS commitments shows that achieving national universal access targets by 2010 will require an estimated annual outlay of a stunning 25 billion US dollar within two years.
Mr. D’Escoto said that, as the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has pointed out, the amounts needed to achieve this goal represent “a miniscule fraction” of the sums that have been spent this year on economic stimulus measures.
The Secretary-Generals report also highlights a number of encouraging developments such as countries establishing clear national targets for universal access, and a continued increase in financing for HIV programmes in low- and middle-income countries, reaching 13,7 billion dollar in 2008.
At the same time, the report says considerable challenges remain, including significant access gaps for key HIV-related services. Also, the pace of new infections continues to outstrip the expansion of treatment programmes, and commitment to HIV prevention remains inadequate.
– Now is not the time to falter. The economic crisis should not be an excuse to abandon commitments – it should be an impetus to make the right investments that will yield benefits for generations to come, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the meeting.
Mr. Ban said that a vigorous and effective response to the AIDS epidemic is integrally linked to meeting global commitments to reduce poverty, prevent hunger, lower childhood mortality, and protect the health and well being of women.
He called on all governments to review their legal frameworks to ensure compliance with the human rights principles on which a sound AIDS response is based. “This is not solely a medical or scientific challenge. It is a moral challenge, too,” he said.
UNAIDS chief Michel Sidibé commended Mr. Ban’s leadership in helping to break the “conspiracy of silence” on stigma, discrimination and criminalization against people living with HIV, particularly among vulnerable groups – homosexuals, sex workers and drug users.
He added that “time is running out,” noting that the 2010 deadline for achieving universal access is right around the corner. – Unfortunately, we are far from reaching our goals, noted he.
Some 84 countries have reported that they have laws and policies that act as obstacles to effective HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for vulnerable populations, according to UNAIDS.
Kilde: FNs nyhedstjeneste
