The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is pleased to see the depth of the document prepared for the HIV/AIDS component of this debate (E/ESCAP/1340). In our view it gives a good picture of the gravity of the threat posed by the pandemic to the Asia-Pacific region.
We note, however, that it is largely based on information provided by governments. One of the consequences of this is that its picture of the impact of HIV/AIDS is somewhat narrowly drawn, and perhaps diminished as a result.
We would have hoped that the document could have been supported by the extensive work done by organisations beyond the UN system, including our own IFRC with its National Red Cross and Red Crescent Society base. We trust that future work will include reference to this work, and are ready to contribute, especially as it is clear from the document that our objectives are very similar indeed.
The IFRC has used every available opportunity to highlight the dangers faced by the Asia-Pacific region because of the growth of the HIV/AIDS threat. These include the recent United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice here in Bangkok, where we referred to the part played in the spread of the pandemic by organised crime and its involvement in the drug trade.
We have also spoken out in support of harm reduction programs. The importance of such programs as part of a comprehensive strategy against HIV/AIDS is highlighted in the Agenda for Humanitarian Action adopted by governments and National Societies sitting together at the 28th International Conference of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent in December 2003.
One other key point which we would hope will be taken into account by the ESCAP Secretariat as it continues this important work is the relevance to ESCAP governments and other stakeholders of the priority the IFRC attaches to work against stigma.
This issue is given emphasis - correctly - in the item document, but there is no reference to the absolute importance of matching effective work against stigma at the national level with campaigning at the local level.
The IFRC recently launched a fresh anti-stigma campaign, entitled "Come Closer", the whole point of which is to help educate people at all levels so they understand better how they can manage their lives in communities affected by the threat of HIV/AIDS.
We very much hope that ESCAP's future work on HIV/AIDS takes more account of the contribution of sectors beyond government, in all aspects of the struggle. This is work which must, as the document points out, involve people at the top of government, but even they cannot do the job without the full, active and determined participation of the communities themselves.
For our part, I can say that Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies throughout the region are ready and willing to support the effort. We look forward to partnership with all governments and organisations in the ESCAP region, for without such partnerships the effort cannot hope to succeed.