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Increased commitment and accountability essential to global success in the battle against HIV/AIDS
XV International AIDS Conference Press Release. 12 July 2004.
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Community and scientific experts participating in the XV International AIDS Conference today underscored the urgent need for increased resources and the importance of accountability in the global fight against AIDS. They called for concrete commitments by leaders in all sectors, from policymakers and public officials to business executives and the entertainment industry.
?“Nothing short of bold and courageous leadership is needed to successfully stem the tide against HIV/AIDS,?” said Dr. Joep Lange, Conference Co-Chair and President of the International AIDS Society. ?“As leaders, we must be willing to challenge and to be challenged.?”
By 2005 an estimated US$12 billion will be needed annually to effectively fight HIV/AIDS in developing countries, but current annual global spending amounts to less than half that amount (at under US$5 billion). By 2007, it is estimated that the resources needed to mount a comprehensive battle against AIDS will equal US$20 billion. This funding level would support antiretroviral therapy to 6 million people, services for 22 million children orphaned by AIDS, HIV voluntary counseling and testing for 100 million adults, school-based AIDS education for 900 million students and peer counselling services for 60 million young people not in school.
In her plenary remarks, HRH Princess Mabel van Oranje, Executive Director of the Open Society Institute, discussed the need for increased resources and greater coordination amongst donors, as well as the importance of setting priorities based on needs, rather than ideology.
Speaking on funding through public-private partnerships, Ms. Tsetsele Fantan of the African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnership, commented at, ?“Increasingly we see large businesses recognising their role in prevention and education. But businesses are still very much focusing on the workforce and not on the communities in which they operate... HIV/AIDS is a business issue that requires education, resources and commitment.?”
Speaking on the need for programs specifically targeted to young people, the Honourable Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda, stated, ?“People who are vulnerable are mainly young people. Don?’t talk to them as a professor. Give your message in a manner that captures their attention. ?” Mr. Jean-Francois Rischard, Vice President of the World Bank Europe discussed the crisis of global problem-solving, and urged leaders to adopt new approaches to the most pressing problems of the 20th Century.
Twenty years of promises, and still the pandemic continues to escalate in many parts of the world, particularly among poor and vulnerable populations. Only one out of five people worldwide has access to HIV prevention, and at the end of 2003, just 7% of the 5-6 million people who need HIV treatment in low- to middle-income countries received this care.
Karen Stanecki, Senior Advisor to UNAIDS, emphasised the need for government leaders to tailor their response to the needs of those groups most at risk for infection despite the political challenges of doing so in some circumstances, such as in the case of injecting drug users and sex workers.
?“Countries that have succeeded have been pragmatic, not judgmental,?” said Stanecki. Urging government support for programs based on a harm reduction approach to drug use, such as syringe exchange and methadone treatment, Paisan Suwannawong of Thai Drug Users?’ Network stated, ?“Globally, one in three new infections outside of Africa is related to injecting drug use. AIDS doesn?’t wait for action, and neither can we.?”
At the XV International AIDS Conference, assembled delegates will ask what progress has been made since the Barcelona Conference in 2002. How have funding mechanisms been improved, where is the commitment and how do we ensure accountability? ?“Bringing the question of accountability forward will stimulate all into action,?” said Dr. Joep Lange, Conference Co-Chair and President of the International AIDS Society. |
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