AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific
Opening Address of the 8th ICAAP - from the President of ASAP
A. Introductory Thank You
His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse, President of Sri Lanka, the Honourable Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of
Healthcare and Nutrition, Ms Deborah Landey, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS, Co-Chairs of the Congress,
distinguished guests, delegates of the ICAAP, friends and Colleagues,
An emormous debt of gratitude goes to you, the President and to the Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition for their strong
support and full cooperation in the development of this International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific.
The three co-chairs of the Local Organising Committee, Professor Sheriffdeen, Mr Bradman Weerakoon and Dr Sujatha
Sumarakoon have worked tirelessly for many months.
Particular thanks go to the National Coordinator, Ms Kamanee Hapugalle, for her extraordinary efforts working with the
LOC to provide this Congress with such a range of delegates from countries all over the Asia and Pacific region.
I want to thank the contributions of civil society organisations, especially those local organisations such as Companions
on a Journey, Community Development Services and Lanka Plus. They also provide the enthusiasm that has brought
so many delegates to this very promising Congress.
And last, of course, I want to thank, the many United Nations system agencies, many of whom are co-sponsors and
guided by the dedicated staff and professionalism of UNAIDS.
B. Background
In March of 2006, I first came to Colombo, Sri Lanka. it was a memorable one to this beautiful island.
At that time we met with many people and drew the first blue print for developing this International Congress on AIDS in
Asia and the Pacific.
As I look through the Programme, I see that the LOC has worked diligently to follow that blue print and to ensure that the
three major cross-themes are to be addressed with rigour.
Stigma and Discrimination against people who are infected with, or affected by, HIV and AIDS is being addressed under
various human rights sessions.
Women, gender and sexuality have received strong support.
The very important inclusive approaches enshrined in the principles of the Greater Involvement of People with HIV and
AIDS (or GIPA) have been woven through the fabric of the Congress.
I want to emphasise that this LOC should be congratulated wholeheartedly for giving us a Congress that is meaningful
to the needs of Asia and the Pacific in 2007. I want us all to recognise that all ICAAP Congresses require major
organisation ?
not just by the LOC, but by everyone here, because this is your Congress too.
We all now have three extraordinary days to make this Congress the best meeting of ideas ever. I am calling on
everyone to be engaged and to support each other.
There are 8.6 million people living with HIV in the Asia and Pacific Regions. That is 8.6 million people too many! We
must not allow Asia and the Pacific to become another world Flashpoint for increasing epidemics -- And we will not!
Your attendance at this ICAAP, is evidence that you are willing to work in harmony, with each other, despite differences
that may arise from time to time, despite the difficulties in funding we often encounter, and in the face of donors who
create unnecessary and unrealistic benchmarks for some vulnerable communities to meet.
Demanding sex worker groups to sign contracts for funding that includes anti-prostitution clauses is a recipe for non-
cooperation.
Drug companies refusing to negotiate better access to treatments at reasonable costs is abhorrent. And governments
who continue to criminalise the sexual behaviours of their adult citizens are archaic and parochial.
The ICAAP provides you all with an important opportunity to raise these issues with leaders, in government, in
communities, in academia and, for the first time, at this ICAAP, with business.
These will represent giant steps forward in stopping an increasing epidemic in our Regions.
C. What is a Universal Access? It is a COMPREHENSIVE Approach?
When I came to Sri Lanka in 2006 and launched this wonderful ICAAP, I talked to you all about the need for a
Comprehensive Approach to finding a solution to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. I still believe this to be right. But at this
time, I have extended my meaning of a comprehensive approach to include the concept of Universal Access.
Universal Access, to my mind, setting aside the published indicators, means just this…all inclusive, far reaching and
mutually dependent and beneficial systems working toward a common objective…the eradication of HIV and AIDS.
But let me reiterate four of the common elements of a comprehensive approach that I believe will lead to Universal
Access.
ONE! : we should adopt a multi-sectoral approach.
This includes: government, academia, civil society and the private sector working closely and cooperatively.
Governments everywhere MUST work with communities and NGOs. Academics MUST be researching and publishing
results on comprehensive issues in a non-directed manner. both in bio-medical AND social science areas. Academics
should be free to tackle difficult areas such as the restrictions being placed on stem cell research relating to HIV .
Equally, all governments MUST listen to the evidence presented and act in appropriate and interdisciplinary ways. Our
societies and citizens must be open to breaking down some traditional values where it can save lives.
Members of the private sector MUST recognise that they have a duty not just to their shareholders and owners’ profits
BUT to the communities to which they supply their products. Corporate responsibility includes responsibility to their
communities and to populations that need, or would seek to use, their services.
TWO! : a comprehensive approach to me, means cross-departmental cooperation within all governments.
It means that HIV and AIDS should not be seen as any one departmental responsibility; although, there is, of course,
good reason, for one department to take the lead and act as a facilitator amongst others in order to achieve results.
Support for this should come from the highest governmental level.
However, we must remember that HIV and AIDS are equally a legal and rights-based issue. Stigma and discrimination
within our societies lead to unfair and unreasonable treatment against people with HIV and AIDS.
Such as,
* refusal of employment;
* refusal of medical care;
* refusal of education for our children;
Hence, Attorneys General, Judges and Human Rights Commissioners must seek to ensure that laws exist to prohibit
stigma and discriminatory behaviour within our society against people with HIV and AIDS. They must work toward
providing avenues through which people who have been unfavourably discriminated against can find suitable solutions.
In a similar manner other government departments have responsibilities to respond to HIV and AIDS. But it is difficult to
respond appropriately without appropriate, well-coordinated inter-departmental processes.
THREE! : a comprehensive approach must include a preference towards the adoption of multi-lateral approaches to
engagement.
AND FOUR! : and equally as important, a comprehensive approach to Universal Access includes the need to
strike a balance between the efforts and attention applied to Prevention, Care and Support and Treatment.
C. Conclusion
In conclusion, even though Sri Lanka is a low prevalence country, it has foreseen the threat of the epidemic and taken
appropriate action. Sri Lanka is now taking the lead to reverse the spread of AIDS in Asia and the Pacific by creating
WAVES OF CHANGE, WAVES OF HOPE .
* to improve the lives of people affected and infected by HIVand AIDS;
* to eradicate Stigma and Discrimination;
* to strengthen your approaches to human rights; and,
* to explore Waves of REAL Change and Waves of REAL Hope by the adoption of
Universal Access and a Comprehensive Approach to HIV and AIDS.
My colleagues.
I wish you all success in your work in achieving this aim and in exploring your own important aims at this ICAAP. I look
forward to your taking new ideas away from here that will offer new ideas and benefits in your own fights in your own
home countries.
Thank you |
;)
