Statements and Webcast
Montenegro
H.E. Mr. Milorad Šćepan, Permanent Representative
10 June 2011
- Statement: English (Check against delivery)
Statement Summary
MILORAD ŠĆEPANOVIĆ (Montenegro), aligning with the European Union, said that, with extremely high infection rates in some parts of the world, HIV/AIDS was a threat to health, development, life quality, security and stability. Progress in combating the pandemic was linked to the broader global development agenda, and a prerequisite for reaching development targets. Eastern Europe was seeing “alarming” increases in infection rates, which must be addressed by the region as a whole. While prevalence in Montenegro was at 0.13 pre cent, regional trends indicated real potential for the rapid spread of HIV if prevention among key target groups was not improved.
Montenegro was strongly committed to combating HIV/AIDS, he explained, with the first national strategy providing a special focus on safe blood, populations most at risk and improved diagnosis, treatment and care. The country had made gains in various areas, notably with the development of national guidelines and protocols for prevention and treatment. Target groups had received information about prevention, and medical services and health workers’ capacities had been built. Moreover, a national coordination body, established to ensure an appropriate response to related complex medical, social, legal and human rights issues, had launched a project cited as among the most successful in Eastern Europe. In sum, he said HIV/AIDS was an immediate and long-term crisis for the international community that could not be addressed by a State-centric approach.
Source: GA/11093