Regional cooperation in response to the spread and consequences of the human immunedeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in the Asian and Pacific region

Expressing concern over the human immunedeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic in Asia and the Pacific,

Recognizing the profound adverse affects of that epidemic on the economic and social development of the region,

Recalling Economic and social Council resolutions 1994/24 of 26 July 1994 and 1995/2 of 3 July 1995 on the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS,

Recalling also Commission resolution 49/9 of 29 April 1993 on the eradication of preventable diseases in the Asian and Pacific region as a component of social and economic development, and resolution 51/10 of 1 May 1995 on regional cooperation for the eradication of the demand for drugs subject to abuse and related problems,

Recalling further that the Agenda for Action on Social Development in the ESCAP Region, endorsed by the Commission in its resolution 51/4 of 1 May 1995, identifies the prevention of HIV/AIDS as a major social issue in this region, and noting that its causes and consequences must be considered within the broader economic and social context,

Convinced that the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia and Pacific must be addressed at the regional level because of the need to develop a comprehensive and coordinated regional prevention strategy to counter the widespread transmission of the virus across national borders,

Recognizing that effective HIV/AIDS prevention strategies need to be based on up-to-date area-specific information, and that specific strategies are required for HIV/AIDS prevention, including intercountry coordination and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms between countries with common borders,

Recalling the initiatives taken by ESCAP to promote regional cooperation for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, particularly its activities on the development of community-based approaches and cross-border collaboration for HIV/AIDS risk reduction related to drug abuse such as that which resulted in the Kunming Communiqué on Cross-border Collaboration for Drug Demand Reduction and HIV/AIDS Prevention,

1. Urges all members and associate members of the Commission to accord high priority to the development and implementation of effective policies, programmes and strategies for the prevention of the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunedeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), with emphasis on community-based action and cross-border collaboration between those countries whose border areas are particularly affected;
2. Requests the Executive Secretary to undertake further initiatives, subject to the availability of resources and in collaboration with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS and other concerned United Nations bodies and agencies and subregional intergovernmental organizations, to promote regional cooperation to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, including the development of area-specific information systems and of effective community-based strategies for HIV/AIDS prevention, and the establishment of mechanisms for cross-border collaboration;
3. Also requests the Executive Secretary to report to the Commission at its fifty-third session on the implementation of the present resolution and on proposed follow-up measures.

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