|
Statement by New York, 26 June 2001 Your Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Distinguished Representatives of States and Governments, It is with a deep sense of urgency and commitment for finding a lasting solution to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that the Indonesian delegation is participating in this important Special Session of the General Assembly. May I also take this opportunity to extend to all of you the warmest greetings from President Abdurrahman Wahid and from Vice President Mrs. Megawati Sukarno Putri. They wish you every success in this critical undertaking. Your Excellencies, In Indonesia, it is estimated that as of mid-year 2001, approximately 80,000 to 1 20,000 people will have become infected with the HIV/AIDS disease. The disease is more prevalent in certain sub-population groups where it ranges from 0 to 26%, My country is increasingly concerned that conditions favoring an increase of the HIV infection in Indonesia are soaring. These conditions include, poverty, high-risk sexual behaviour, a prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, intra venous drug abuse and increased mobility of the population that leads to increased transmission. In meeting this challenge of redressing the epidemic, let me underline some of Indonesia’s activities resulting from our commitment to prevent and control HIV/AIDS. Nationwide, our focus is on early intervention and it is being done through the promotion of abstinence and fidelity, without neglecting the promotion of safe sex among people with high-risk sexual behaviour. Likewise, relevant laws with respect to drug abuse are being implemented and risk reduction activities are being initiated based on the socio-religious and cultural background of the Indonesian people. This is not an easy task. The country’s far flung geography, its large population and diverse cultural backgrounds however presents a number of obstacles particularly significant barriers in communication and in access. Another serious obstacle facing Indonesia is the ongoing efforts to cope with the consequences of the economic crisis that has devastated our country. That situation has forced Indonesia to prioritize the allocation of its limited resources making it extremely difficult to increase the coverage and comprehensiveness of the National Aids Program. This includes, among other things, difficulties in providing adequate HIV test kits and affordable anti-retroviral drugs. However, given the difficulties that these reality presents, we remain fully committed to doing our utmost and our activities will be focused on prevention as the mainstay together with the provision of comprehensive care and support. Your Excellencies, Let there be no mistake about it, Indonesia shares the international community’s belief that the global HIV/AIDS epidemic constitutes one of the most formidable challenges to human development and dignity today. And, we are also strongly committed to participating in and helping to bridge the very wide gap between the established rich countries and the poor developing countries in their fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly in the African countries. As to an effective response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it will require concrete political commitment, genuine cooperation and concerted action by all, at all levels and across all sectors. This will obviously need strong leadership as well as the provision of additional, substantial and sustained resources. In addition, I would like to reaffirm Indonesia’s previous commitments made on HIV/AIDS through various declarations, at the international and regional levels and specifically through ASEAN. In this regard, the ASEAN Inter-country Consultation Workshop to prepare for the 7th ASEAN Summit Special Session on HIV/AIDS in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and in Bali, Indonesia, has agreed to give top priority to the issue that a regional approach could bring added value. On the question of HIV related drugs, let me just say that international assistance in addressing factors affecting the provision of these drugs, including technical and system capacity building, pricing and the examination of alternatives for increasing access and their affordability, is of critical importance especially to developing countries with minimum national resources. The draft declaration itself states that the HIV/AIDS challenge cannot be fully met without new and additional resources and international assistance. We therefore urge the developed countries to generously contribute towards combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic and towards seeking ways to establish global equity, being mindful that the existing inequity has only served to further accentuate the epidemic. Before concluding, let me commend the UN and its related agencies for their financial and technical support especially during Indonesia’s ongoing crisis. I would also like to recognize the many supportive friendly governments, international organizations and donor agencies that have facilitated the implementation of Indonesia’s national AIDS program. In conclusion, may I add that we look forward to the commitment, support and action of the global leadership to address the increasingly frightening global HIV/AIDS crisis and to seek viable ways and means of preventing and controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic while taking into account the myriad limitations that confront all of our countries. Thank you.
|
