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December 2008
PFUE-01.12.2008
World AIDS Day - European Union statement
World AIDS Day - European Union statement
On: 01.12.2008
Logo fight against AIDS
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, the European Union (EU) vigorously reaffirms its commitment to tackle the crucial challenge represented by the global HIV/AIDS pandemic through its long-term strategic plan that lays the basis for sustainable progress in the decades to come.
The efforts made so far have not been sufficient to stem the worldwide expansion of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, aggravated by poverty and social, economic and gender inequalities. We reiterate our firm resolve to support the involvement of partner countries and of their civil societies with a view to providing universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010, taking into account that sub-Saharan Africa, and in particular Southern Africa, remains the region most affected. The next World AIDS Conference in Vienna in 2010 will be an important opportunity in our common endeavour to achieve these aims.
There is an urgent need to step up the development and implementation of comprehensive prevention approaches, including increased access to male and female condoms as well as information, education and awareness-raising, along with continued investment in research and development of new prevention technologies. As there is not just one type of HIV/AIDS epidemic, efforts should be based on the principle of "knowing your epidemic", which is a key feature of successful prevention.
Scaling up treatment programmes and increasing access to affordable quality drugs, including second- and third-line treatment, is of paramount importance. The lethal consequences of dual infections of HIV, tuberculosis and other communicable diseases, and in particular the emergence of extensively drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis, call for increased collaboration and integration of prevention and treatment programmes and services for mutual reinforcement and a synergic approach to confront these diseases. Strengthening health systems in developing countries, including tackling the shortage of health workers, is crucial in this respect.
We reaffirm that all people living with HIV/AIDS should benefit from the best available standards of care and treatment, regardless of origin, nationality, opinion, age, gender, sexual orientation and religion or any other status.
The barriers of discrimination, stigma and exclusion which prevent access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support are to be eliminated, since universal access will never be achieved without respect for human rights. The EU is deeply concerned by the stigma, discrimination and marginalisation still endured by people living with HIV worldwide, and calls for full respect for their fundamental rights as individuals as well as the inclusion of a human rights-based approach in HIV/AIDS policies. The empowerment of those most affected by the pandemic and their involvement in the design and implementation of this action is of great importance. Unless we give our full attention to these issues, neither prevention nor treatment programmes will reach everyone who needs them.
The EU emphasises that HIV-specific restrictions on entry, stay and residence based on HIV status are discriminatory, and do not protect public health. The EU therefore urges all countries to eliminate any restrictions on entry, stay and residence based on HIV status.
Given the vulnerability of women to HIV infections and the steadily increasing proportion of women among those newly infected, there is an urgent need for gender analysis, promotion of gender equality, sexual education and actions to address the specific needs and rights of women and girls, including actions to address gender-based violence and abuse. In addressing those issues, it is important to involve both women and men. Support for sexual and reproductive health and rights within the context of established EU positions should be made available and accessible to all women, in particular young people and other highly vulnerable groups. The EU is strongly committed to enhancing aid effectiveness, on the basis of partner country ownership and the 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action , the EU Code of Conduct on Complementarity and Division of Labour and the "Three Ones" principles .
The EU has a duty to continue moving forward, building on what we have achieved, to strive collectively to make further progress and to remain the world leader in keeping the promise to put an end to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Updated: 30.12.2008
OSWIADCZENIE_UNII_EUROPEJSKIEJ.pdf (pdf, 89 Kb)