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Mr President
Delegates
We meet this week, three decades into the AIDS pandemic, to review progress and chart the future course of the global response.
In 2006 we embraced the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. We knew then that 2010 was an ambitious timeframe, and that much would depend on “knowing” the epidemic and tailoring the response accordingly.
Today we are at a cross roads. Action at international and national levels is making a difference. The global commitment has been unprecedented but the epidemic is outpacing the response and costs are increasing. A demographic ‘youth bulge', including in our own Pacific region, and increasing urbanisation present new challenges. We need to reinvigorate our collective efforts to ensure that the gains of the last decades are not lost.
We commend the Secretary-General for his report, with its comprehensive review and informative, forthright and constructive conclusions and recommendations. New Zealand welcomes the successful conclusion of negotiations on an outcome document which builds on the 2001 and 2006 Declarations.
In New Zealand the prevalence of HIV infection in the general population is very low, with the main risk for acquiring HIV infection being sexual contact between men. We recognise, however, the challenges to achieving the goal of universal access and the global vision of a world with zero new infections, zero AIDS deaths and zero discrimination.
A comprehensive approach is needed. As a starting point we support extension of the timeframe for achieving universal access to 2015, which would harmonise with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). HIV and AIDS is a major obstacle to social and economic development and a constraint to achieving the MDGs.
There is a need for better integration of HIV/AIDS interventions with other health programming, in particular sexual and reproductive health. Bringing HIV-related programmes into the mainstream of health systems will help deliver cost-effective outcomes. Last year’s Millennium Development Goals outcome document emphasised the importance of strengthening health systems not only to achieve the three health-related MDGs but also because health is a cross cutting issue that impacts on achievement of the MDGs generally. Addressing HIV within the broader context of health systems is therefore important.
Stigma, discrimination and punitive laws and policies continue to undermine efforts to prevent new infections, with key at risk populations, including men who have sex with men, sex workers and injecting drug users, often reluctant to seek services.
The protection and promotion of human rights is a pre-requisite to a successful response to HIV and AIDS, ensuring key populations have full enjoyment of their human rights, equitable access to services, including for sexual and reproductive health, as well as access to life-saving drugs. Young people are seldom involved as full and meaningful partners in decision-making regarding HIV policies and programmes. We call for an inclusive approach in HIV programming and service delivery which also encompasses those with disabilities.
HIV and AIDS continue to have a disproportionate impact on women and girls. Within the Pacific region, the primary mode of HIV transmission is heterosexual and the number and proportion of females known to be infected with HIV has increased steadily. Violence and negative and harmful practices that subordinate women fuel the epidemic. Too often, there is a failure to allocate resources to programmes that address their needs. The promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls must continue to be a priority.
New Zealand’s approach to evidence-based prevention has been cutting edge and our low HIV infection rates are a testament to this. We put human rights at the centre of our response: decriminalising men who have sex with men and making discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and HIV status illegal; decriminalising prostitution and establishing needle exchange programmes.
We urge states that have not already done so to reform laws that stand in the way of an effective response and to put in place meaningful and transparent measures to monitor their efforts to address HIV stigma and to promote effective responses for populations at higher risk.
Prevention is the mainstay of the global HIV response. Decisive evidence exists on the effectiveness of prevention and treatment strategies such as those to eliminate mother-to-child transmission. National responses and priorities need to take account of this evidence so they can respond with cost-effective interventions that target those at greatest risk of infection. The ongoing revolution in communication technology offers new opportunities to accelerate community mobilisation, social support and education.
There is also need to continue to scale up access to treatment, in particular, for infants and children and including second-line drugs.
Scarce resources need to be maximised through prevention and treatment strategies that are well targeted, complemented by strong but practical, user-friendly mechanisms for monitoring, coordination and accountability.
New Zealand believes that strong country ownership, leadership and coordination are critical to an effective response. Country-driven processes including the development, implementation and regular review and update of national HIV programmes, strategies and financial plans are key to success.
In this context, we underscore the importance of engaging multiple stakeholders, working with, and through, affected communities as central to an effective HIV response. At the national level strong working partnerships are needed between government, civil society, and the private sector. Such partnerships play a pivotal role, bringing together expertise and resources for implementation. The world of work has a role in reducing HIV prevalence, including by recognising that certain occupations and parts of the working population are particularly at risk.
Collective efforts and improved coordination at the international level are also critical for future success. There is a shared responsibility among donor countries, emerging economies, affected countries, the private sector and other development actors. New Zealand’s contribution internationally includes support to multilateral and regional organisations, including those that focus on integrating HIV and sexual and reproductive health care and services. In the Pacific region we support a multi-year donor financing mechanism designed to assist countries to implement the Pacific Regional Strategy on HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.
New Zealand recognises the need for ongoing action on HIV. It is a down payment on a healthy future, yielding benefits for future generations, reducing human suffering and averting associated economic and development costs.
Thank you
