MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
Following this week's highly successful Asia-Pacific Ministerial Meeting on
HIV/AIDS and the International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, I am
pleased to confirm Australia's support for a range of initiatives for combating
this devastating trans-national health problem.
The Ministerial Meeting has been an unqualified success. For the first time,
representatives of governments at the most senior level have been able to meet
in the one dedicated forum to share ideas, identify common issues and establish
partnerships for tackling the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Australia is proud to have
facilitated such a positive outcome and is keen to see this regional approach to
HIV/AIDS continue in to the future.
I am therefore pleased today to be able to outline a range of strategies for
working with our partners in the region to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as
foreshadowed in the $200 million global initiative on HIV/AIDS I announced last
year.
The first of these is Australia's support for the establishment of an
Asia-Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS to encourage political leadership and
commitment at the highest level in addressing HIV/AIDS. It is envisaged the
Forum will serve as a network for regional coordination and collaboration and
for providing training to senior political advisers.
In recognition of the important role community organizations play in response
to the epidemic, Australia will provide financial support to the secretariat of
the recently formed Coalition of Asia Pacific Regional Networks on HIV/AIDS.
This contribution will support the work of the seven major regional
community-based HIV/AIDS networks operating in the region.
Australia is also working within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the
World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international fora to improve the
accessibility and affordability of essential HIV/AIDS drugs. Australia will
also, upon request, provide support to Asia-Pacific governments to draft
legislation to facilitate cost-effective access to essential HIV/AIDS drugs,
consistent with international trade agreements. Australia is also willing, if
requested, to support applied research or specific trials to help countries
assess alternatives for introducing new HIV/AIDS treatments.
I am also pleased to announce that $50 million from the $200 million Global
Initiative has been committed to three major HIV/AIDS projects. These include an
Asia regional program addressing injecting drug use and HIV, assistance to
Pacific Island nations in implementing national HIV/AIDS strategies, and a
second five-year phase of the Indonesia HIV/AIDS and STD Prevention and Care
project. These activities are a clear demonstration of Australia's willingness
to work in partnership with the region at a very practical level.
HIV/AIDS threatens to reverse decades of progress in developing nations
around the world. It is a global health issue requiring a coordinated global
response. There are still many challenges ahead for the Asia-Pacific. I am
confident that the outcomes of the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Meeting on HIV/AIDS
and the measures I have outlined today will significantly strengthen
partnerships between countries in meeting those challenges.
Media contacts:
Matt Francis (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206
890
Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489