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Press
Release..............................
UNESCAP News Services
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2 September
2003
Press Release No: G/11/2003
Fifty-ninth session (Phase II)
1-4 September 2003
Bangkok
DON'T IGNORE HIV/AIDS, GOVERNMENTS ADVISED
Bangkok (UN Information Services) -- Governments
from around the region today discussed strategies to prevent
HIV/AIDS devastating Asia and the Pacific the same way as in
Africa at a landmark UNESCAP gathering in Bangkok.
With the largest population base of any region
in the world even a low prevalence rate could translate into
massive numbers of infections in the Asia-Pacific region. Given
the fact that over 50 per cent of new infections worldwide occur
among young people there are an estimated 620 million young
lives in the region who are especially vulnerable to HIV, warned
UNESCAP"s Executive Secretary Mr Kim Hak-Su.
Mr Kim Hak-Su highlighted the need for governments
to initiate urgent and comprehensive action against the pandemic
before it is too late.
In his keynote address to delegates H.E. Mr Festus
Mogae, President of Botswana said that with an adult HIV prevalence
rate of 38.8 percent by the end of 2001, Botswana is one of
the world's most HIV/AIDS affected countries. However he expressed
optimism that the disease can be contained and offered the region
a ray of light.
" In the fight against HIV/AIDs ,we have
found that it is absolutely imperative to be open and frank
about sexuality. We have to deal with cultural taboos and traditions
that stand in the way of the fight against the pandemic,"
said H.E. Mr Mogae who has been recognized as one of Africa's
leading statesmen in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The United Nations Secretary-General's Special
Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Asia, Dr Nafis Sadik added: "Let me
say that AIDs is no ordinary crisis. It must call forth an extraordinary
response. We cannot continue to live in a make believe world."
Another highlight in the second day of the 59th
Commission Session was the launch of a HIV/AIDS advocacy kit
---" To Care To Dare: Fight HIV/AIDS Save Lives"---
designed to help governments combat the pandemic through a multisectoral
and multi-ministerial approach.
The first-ever world's UNESCAP--UNDP report on
how countries are managing to implement the UN"s Millennium
Development Goals was also discussed by Governments in a closed-door
session.
For further information please contact:
Chief, UN Information Services
Tel: (+662) 288-1866-69; Fax: (+662) 288-1052
E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
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