Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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UNAIDS Press Release - October 25, 2005
"We are at risk in the Pacific of a serious HIV epidemic. The question is not whether this will happen, but when this will happen, whether it does so or not will depend on the decisions made now, not in ten years," Dr. Rao said in a speech made at the 'marae' opening ceremony of the conference, underlining that governments and donors must bolster currently-inadequate resources for HIV prevention, treatment and care programs across the Pacific.
"Fighting AIDS on the political stage -where struggles over power and resources are fought -is crucial to winning the battle. We need governments throughout the Pacific to make substantial commitments by investing now," he said.
Citing data from Papua New Guinea where an estimated 1.7% of the adult population or approximately 47,000 people are infected with HIV, Dr. Rao said the epidemic is on its way to spreading throughout Pacific Island countries, with potentially devastating effects. "In small island nations we are talking about the very survival of peoples, cultures, languages, and security of nations," he said.
More than three hundred delegates from governments, non-governmental organizations and the scientific community from across the region are gathered to bolster the regional response to HIV and AIDS. The conference will continue through Friday.
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For further information, please contact: Jeanne Hallacy, Bangkok, Tel: +662 255 6800, email hallacy@loxinfo.co.th or Beth Magne-Watts, Geneva, Tel: +41 22 791 5074, email: magnewattsb@unaids.org. All UNAIDS News Releases, Fact Sheets and Features can be obtained on the UNAIDS web site: http://www.unaids.org
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