THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL Kofi Annan's REMARKS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE
ASIA-PACIFIC MINISTERIAL MEETING ON HIV/AIDS
Bangkok, 11 July 2004

I am glad to meet with you at this critical juncture in the fight
against AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region.

I know that many of you are showing impressive leadership in that fight.
That is the kind of commitment that is needed from all the leaders of the
region.

We know that AIDS is far more than a health crisis. It is a threat to
social and economic development as a whole. Key ministries of your
Governments -- ministries of finance, education and development, as well as
health -- must be actively involved in implementing your national AIDS
programmes, and in bringing financial and human resources to the effort.

Ø By the same token, the response to this complex challenge must engage
every part of society -- Government, business, civil society, and people
living with HIV/AIDS.

Ø Here in Asia, HIV/AIDS stands at a turning point. I know you will hear
more about that from Peter Piot.

Ø But let us be clear: how you address this challenge will impact the very
future of the region.

Ø In recent decades, more people have escaped from poverty in Asia and the
Pacific than in any other part of the world, and more than in any previous
time. You have done more than any other region to make globalization work
to your advantage.

Ø These gains have impressed the whole world. You must cherish, and
carefully nurture them. Above all, you must not let them be reversed by
HIV/AIDS.

Ø More than eight million people in your region are now living with
HIV/AIDS, and the number is rising fast. Some areas have been battling the
epidemic for well over a decade. But it has now reached almost every
corner of the region.

Ø Left unchecked, AIDS will not only devastate millions of lives; it will
also impose huge burdens on the region’s health systems, and soak up
resources that are badly needed for social and economic development.

Ø So the fight against HIV/AIDS requires constant vigilance and renewal.
We know, from experience elsewhere, that the spread can be turned back when
– but only when – there is a coordinated response, from all sectors of
society and every branch of Government. It requires leadership at every
level.

Ø As representatives of your region’s Governments, all of you can help
make that happen. It is a vital responsibility, which requires all your
energy and imagination.

Ø It requires finding ways to reach out to all groups, and devising
approaches for prevention and treatment that are suited to their needs --
whether young people, sex workers, injecting drug users, or men who have
sex with men.

Ø And it means stamping out stigma and discrimination in communities and
in the workplace -- ugly phenomena that create fear and exclusion, and
undermine both prevention and treatment efforts.

Ø Today, you will be discussing essential components in the fight against
HIV/AIDS -- political commitment, community involvement, policy and
resources. They are the four corners of the foundation for a successful and
sustained response.
I look forward to hearing about the outcome of your discussion, and
thank every one of you for commitment.
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