Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - July 12, 2004
Achara Ashayagachat, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul
Ministers and delegates from 36 countries agreed on coordinated efforts at national and regional levels through multi-sectoral action and political leadership in response to the problems, said Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai.
Cooperation would be encouraged among all players including the government, civil society, private sector, and youth, he said.
They also would intensify information sharing and exchange best practices on HIV/Aids, in particular on national legislation and policies relating to the disease.
The meeting discussed financial problems and pledged to mobilise resources to ensure equal access to prevention, treatment and care.
Delegates called on the international community to coordinate donor efforts so new resources would complement existing commitments, said Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan.
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said his country, Japan, and New Zealand pledged to continue financial support to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which now stood at US$600 million (24 billion baht) for the Asia and Pacific region.
Australia has doubled its funding for another US$350 million to combat the virus and prevent an African-style tragedy in the region, he said.
With one million new infections last year, the region now has 7.4 million people living with HIV/Aids.
He warned the region could become a new centre of the global pandemic by 2010 if responses were not strengthened and increased.
But the countries needed more talks on a push by developing countries to produce cheap anti-retroviral drugs over which pharmaceutical firms in rich countries have patent protection.
"Obviously, we do want cheap or generic drugs but we have to take into account the issue of intellectual property rights, otherwise no research and development would be encouraged," said Mr Downer. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Aids still was a threat to social and economic development in the region.
Leadership from every political, business and community sector was needed to fight the disease which required constant vigilance and renewal, he said.
Lack of political commitment would allow Aids to devastate not only millions of lives, but also impose huge burdens on the region's health systems. It would also soak up resources that are badly needed for social and economic development.
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