• Read the Report
  • Contact Us
Global Commission on HIV and the LawGlobal Commission on HIV and the LawGlobal Commission on HIV and the Law
Menu
  • Background
    • HIV and the Law
    • Commission Overview
    • Commissioners
    • Technical Advisory Group
  • Report
    • 2012 Report
    • 2018 Supplement
  • SCALE Initiative
  • Dialogues
    • Global Dialogue 2018
      • 2018 Supplement
      • Global Dialogue 2018 Videos
    • Global Dialogue 2012
      • Video
      • Photo Gallery
      • Speeches
    • Regional Dialogues
      • Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue
      • Caribbean
      • Eastern Europe and Central Asia
      • Latin America
      • Africa
      • Middle East and North Africa
      • High Income Countries
      • Civil Society Participation
      • Submissions to the Regional Dialogues
  • Implementation
    • Access to Health Technologies
      • Competition Law Guidance
      • Competition Law Webinar
      • 2022 Supplement
    • Civic Space
    • Digital
      • Guidance on the rights-based and ethical use of digital technologies
    • Programmes
      • Being LGBTI in Asia
      • Challenging stigma and discrimination in the Caribbean
      • Guidance for Prosecutors on HIV-related Criminal Cases
      • Improving SRHR for young key populations in Southern Africa
      • International Guidelines on Human Rights & Drug Policy
      • Multi-Country Western Pacific Integrated HIV/TB Project
      • Promoting a rights-based response to HIV in Africa
      • Removing legal barriers in Africa
      • South Asia Global Fund HIV Programme
      • UHC Legal Solutions Network
    • Follow Up
      • Follow Up Stories
      • Legal Environment Assessments
      • Leave No One Behind: Lessons from the Global Commission on HIV and the Law for Agenda 2030
  • Resources
    • eLibrary
      • Capacity Development Toolkits
      • Fact Sheets
      • Legal Environment Assessments, Reviews and Audits
      • National Dialogue Reports
      • Policy and Issue Briefs
      • Research, Discussion Papers and Reports
    • Evaluation of the Global Commission on HIV & the Law
    • Report & Working Papers
      • Read the Report
      • 2018 Supplement
      • Working Papers
      • Submissions
      • Presentations
      • Articles and Speeches from Commissioners
      • Selected Bibliographies
    • Regional Dialogue Resources
      • Asia-Pacific
      • Caribbean
      • Latin America
      • Eastern Europe and Central Asia
      • Africa
      • High Income Countries
    • HIV and the Law Animated Video
  • News
    • News Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter Archives
  • Past Events

Asia-Pacific countries adopt roadmap to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030

Share this post

Asia-Pacific countries adopt roadmap to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030

Published on Friday, 05 June 2015 16:50
ESCAP and UNAIDS welcome commitments by countries to accelerate efforts in response to HIV BANKGOK (ESCAP News) — Heads of government, ministers and other high-level officials from 50 countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific endorsed the Report of the Asia-Pacific Intergovernmental Meeting on HIV and AIDS, along with the Regional framework for action on HIV and AIDS beyond 2015 at the 71st session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). Several ESCAP member States emphasized that the Regional Framework for Action on HIV and AIDS beyond 2015 was a useful tool for guiding national efforts towards accelerating action and investment in the HIV response to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

However, if the region is to reach that goal, the pace of progress needs to quicken. The next five years are crucial. UNAIDS has set new Fast-Track targets, which include reducing the number of new HIV infections in the region to 79 000 by 2020 from 350 000 in 2013. It is possible to reach this ambitious goal if countries follow the actions outlined in the report and regional framework. Speaking at the session, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP, stated that: “less than halfway through 2015, with renewed vigour, governments at the highest level have committed to meet [several] regional challenges, [including that] of HIV and AIDS.” The Prime Minister of Thailand inaugurated the Ministerial segment of the Commission, which was held in Bangkok from 25 to 29 May 2015, and was attended by the Presidents of Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and Nauru; as well as the Prime Ministers of Fiji, Tuvalu and the Cook Islands. The session came just months before the United Nations will adopt a new agenda to promote sustainable development for the period after 2015. The regional framework will be an important input to the global review of progress on development goals.

Frank Bainimarama, the Prime Minister of Fiji and Chair of the 71st session said: “The framework is a road map for countries on how best to accelerate their efforts in the HIV response. It will help shape the future of the HIV response in the Asia-Pacific region beyond 2015.” Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS said: “The Asia and Pacific region is moving the world forward into new frontiers of development. You have all the right tools in your hands, beginning with political commitment. I challenge you to be the first region to end the AIDS epidemic.” The new framework identifies three areas of action. The first area is supported by ESCAP and focuses on continuing national reviews and consultations to address legal and policy barriers for ensuring universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The second area calls for national reviews and consultations on ensuring access to affordable drugs and medicines.

The third area promotes the development of national HIV investment cases and plans to ensure sustainable financing of the AIDS response. Dr. Akhtar added: “Our region has broken many barriers and saved countless lives, showing how developing countries can share responsibility, cooperate and take the lead in ending AIDS.” Background: Almost 5 million people are living with HIV in Asia and the Pacific. New HIV infections have declined since 2001 and more than 1.6 million people were receiving antiretroviral treatment by June 2014.

IGM documents and meeting report For any inquiries, please contact: Katie Elles, Public Information Officer, Strategic Communications and Advocacy Section, ESCAP | T: (66) 2 288 1865 / M: (66) 9481 525 36 / E: elles@un.org Saya Oka, UNAIDS, Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific | T: (66) 2 680 4128 / E: okas@unaids.org

Recent Posts

  • Legal empowerment is key to ending AIDS
  • UNDP and PEPFAR partnership to accelerate the removal of structural barriers to HIV services
  • Successfully expanding the rollout of PrEP in Indonesia
  • Decriminalizing HIV: Scientifically proven and morally correct
  • Ensuring sustainability of community-led HIV service delivery in Thailand

© 2017 [blog-link], All Rights Reserved.