MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that the Australian Government is launching a
six-year $200 million Global HIV/AIDS initiative.
This pledge coincides with recent calls within ASEAN for greater commitment
of resources to address HIV/AIDS. It follows recognition at the October 1999
International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific that AIDS threatens to
reduce or even reverse Asian economic growth.
With the majority of the $200 million global commitment being dedicated to
assisting partner countries in the Asia Pacific region, the Australian
Government wishes to work closely with ASEAN member countries and others on this
critical issue.
Work in this area has already begun, with a number of significant HIV/AIDS
activities to be funded under the initiative already under development. For
example, a second phase of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care Project in
Indonesia will be supported. The project will adopt a multi-sectoral approach to
HIV/AIDS prevention and care, with a focus on emerging issues and high-risk
groups.
Australia will also be supporting the five-year PNG National HIV/AIDS
Support Project will aim to minimise the impact of HIV/AIDS in PNG by
supporting implementation of PNG multi-sectoral HIV/AIDS Medium Term Plan.
As a significant amount of funding under the Initiative remains uncommitted,
considerable opportunities exist for further cooperation.
AIDS strikes people in their most productive years and leaves millions of
orphaned children. It also disrupts key sectors such as agriculture, education,
manufacturing and transport. For this reason, political leaders need to commit
themselves to making HIV/AIDS a whole of economy issue and to make more
resources available to combat the spread as well as to address the dire effects
of this disease.
Australia's response to the AIDS epidemic is informed by its own national
experience and it will continue to play an important role in arresting the
spread of the disease in the Asia Pacific region.
Media Contacts:
Matt Francis (Ministerial)
02 6277 7500/0419 206 890
Greg Clough (AusAID)
02 6206 4220 / 0417 683 126