Economic and Social Council

 
39th plenary meeting
23 July 1997

 1997/52. Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS)

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolutions 1994/24 of 26 July 1994, 1995/2 of 3 July 1995 and 1996/47 of 26 July 1996,

Noting with concern the continuing spread of human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), particularly HIV/AIDS-associated deaths in 1996, which represent about 25 per cent of all HIV-related mortality since the beginning of the epidemic, the severe impact on development prospects and the worsening impact on individuals, households and society,

Recognizing that women and men are affected differently by HIV/AIDS and that in 1996 nearly half of the new infections occurred in women,

Recognizing further that special efforts are needed to help developing countries combat AIDS,

Noting also with concern the increasingly dramatic situation of millions of children worldwide who are living under threat of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and welcoming the theme of the 1997 World AIDS Campaign on Children Living in a World with AIDS,

Noting with appreciation the progress achieved in the implementation of the activities of the Joint and Co-Sponsored United Nations Programme on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) by its co-sponsoring organizations during its first full year of operation, and acknowledging the continued efforts made by Governments in response to HIV/AIDS at the national level as well as the financial support provided by countries for these efforts,

Noting that the Programme, which was established to provide a coordinated United Nations response to the epidemic, constitutes an important example of effective system-wide coordination in the context of United Nations reform efforts,

Taking note of the note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Executive Director of the Programme, 1/ which discusses the HIV/AIDS activities of the organizations of the United Nations system, and welcoming the increased involvement of the Secretary-General in the response to HIV/AIDS and his support to the Programme,

1. Urges the co-sponsors of the Joint and Co-Sponsored United Nations Programme on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and other relevant organizations of the United Nations system to strengthen their commitment to the response to the epidemic by integrating HIV/AIDS components throughout their operational activities at the global, regional and country levels and in their follow-up activities to global conferences;

2. Requests co-sponsoring organizations and the Programme to disseminate clear guidance to country-level staff on the role and functions of the United Nations theme groups on HIV/AIDS and their respective roles in providing technical assistance, and to report back to their respective governing bodies and to the Programme Coordinating Board on measures undertaken in this respect;

3. Requests the United Nations funds and programmes and invites the specialized agencies, in consultation with the host countries, to ensure effective coordination of HIV/AIDS-related activities in the context of the resident coordinator system;

4. Urges the co-sponsoring organizations to share costs related to administrative support for the effective functioning of theme groups within the framework of the United Nations resident coordinator system;

5. Appeals to Governments and the co-sponsors, and encourages other interested actors, to broaden their programme activities in the area of HIV/AIDS in order to cover all aspects of the epidemic, in particular addressing its social and economic dimensions, especially in developing countries, and emphasizing, in this context, a gender-based approach;

6. Urges all donors to continue their support and those not contributing substantially to increase their support to the Programme, giving priority to funding the core budget in order to ensure sustainable financing of the Programme;

7. Welcomes the support of other countries, and urges all those in a position to do so to contribute to the Programme;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Council, at its substantive session of 1999, a comprehensive report prepared by the Executive Director of the Programme in collaboration with other relevant organizations of the United Nations system, drawing upon the biennial report on HIV/AIDS to be issued in 1998, on the progress made in the response to HIV/AIDS and its impact on the countries affected.

Note

1/ E/1997/63.

Date last posted: 6 December 1999 16:43:23
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