World AIDS Day

Statement by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, T.D

Each year on 1 December, as the world remembers those who have died of AIDS related illnesses, we reaffirm our solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV and remind ourselves of our obligation to sustain the international response to HIV/AIDS.

While the latest and most accurate figures released by UNAIDS show a welcome reduction in the estimated number of people living with HIV in the world, it remains a fact that over 33 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV. Let us not forget the human context of statistics – individual men, women and children

The theme of World AIDS Day this year is Leadership. Ireland has gained international recognition for its leadership and contribution in addressing the threat of AIDS worldwide. UNAIDS has said Ireland has taken on the kind of leadership role that will help bring us closer to a world without AIDS.

The Irish Government has made HIV and AIDS a key priority in our White Paper last year. Ireland now leads the way within the European Union in terms of the proportion of overseas development assistance allocated to HIV.

Last year, when the focus of World AIDS Day was on HIV stigma and discrimination, I announced a National Stamp Out Stigma Campaign. As well as raising awareness of HIV in general, the campaign sought to challenge the discrimination that people living with HIV are experiencing here in Ireland.

This campaign is making solid progress thanks to the leadership and real involvement of people living with HIV. Their experiences have informed the publication of ‘Personally Speaking – Breaking the Silence on HIV related Stigma’. I am pleased to be associated with this book and hope that it will contribute to raising awareness of the reality of living with HIV today. The contents of this book and the findings of the campaign highlight the need for our society to be more open, caring, inclusive and non-judgemental.

A particular aspect that I would like to draw attention to is the plight of children who are living with or are affected by HIV and AIDS. Ireland has pledged that 20% of the additional resources being spent on HIV and other communicable diseases be allocated to interventions that directly benefit children. These interventions aim to ensure that children are going to school; are being fed; are getting the medical care that they need; and probably most importantly that their families are getting the support they require to stay together.

Much more needs to be done. Although there are effective drugs available to stop the transmission of HIV infection from mother to infant, 1,150 children will still become infected with HIV today. Half of these children will die before they reach their second birthday. Many more children living in households affected by HIV/AIDS may be withdrawn from school to care for sick relatives or to support their families through work.

Children must become more central to the global response to HIV/AIDS. Ireland's response to children affected by HIV and AIDS in developing countries is defined by the vision of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We are committed to contributing to an environment in which children may reach their full potential in spite of the impact of HIV/AIDS.

HIV knows no borders. We are collectively responsible for ensuring that we do every thing in our power to stop it. We can all show leadership. For my own part, I will continue to ensure that Ireland remains a leader in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

Thank you.

Ends

29^th November 2007