Mr. President, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am deeply honored to be here today, with leaders from around the world, to review and address the problem of HIV/AIDS as a matter of urgency and confirm our commitment to make all necessary efforts to fight this disease in a comprehensive manner.

It has already been twenty years since the first case of HIV/AIDS was found. Since then, nearly fifty eight million people have been infected by the epidemic, and twenty two million people worldwide have died of AIDS. At present, fifteen thousand people a day are newly infected and eight thousand people a day are dying. It has divided and impoverished families, weakened workforces, turned thirteen million children into orphans, and threatened the social and economic fabric of communities and the social stability of nations. In recognition of the severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the larger consequences that has, this Special Session should be an occasion to demonstrate our strong determination to overcome these obstacles, and to assert our commitment for enhanced coordination and intensified national, regional and international efforts to combat the disease.
 

Mr. President,

While there is no cure for HIV/AIDS and, as of yet, no vaccine, prevention must be central to our response. Intensive information and education programs, as well as awareness-raising campaigns, can remarkably reduce the risk of transmission. Certainly, strong participation of, and coordination with, NGOs and civil society are crucial in developing and implementing such prevention strategies.

Bearing in mind that young people from 15 to 24 years of age are the most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, special programs targeting this population should be developed. In order to protect young people effectively, we need to ensure user-friendly prevention programs. In this respect, the Republic of Korea has developed and implemented various education, information and counseling programs for adolescents and youth. All middle and high schools have specially trained teachers in charge of sex education and counseling for students. We have also implemented a special peer program that trains students to educate their classmates and other youth on sexual health.
 

Mr. President,

Effective care, support and treatment programs for people living with HIV/AIDS are also important not only because they promote the human rights of those living with the disease, but also because it contributes to prevention and reduces vulnerability. Recognizing the mutually inclusive relationship between prevention and care, and the necessity of a multifaceted response, the Republic of Korea enacted a special law on HIV/AIDS in 1987. According to this law, all people living in Korea, including migrant workers, have the right to get a free, confidential blood test. Anyone who has been infected with the virus can receive, under confidentiality, special care and medical treatment under the government's support. We have also encouraged and facilitated various care and treatment programs led by NGOs, including organizations for people living with HIV/AIDS. As a result, many infected people have voluntarily dedicated themselves to work as a counselor or assistant to other infected people.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are effectively being used as a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There are many websites on HIV/AIDS that were constructed by NGOs, including those living with the disease. These websites serve to raise public awareness on the issue of HIV/AIDS, destruct biased stigmatisms attached to the epidemic, disseminate effective prevention and care information and provide counseling and help. With full confidentiality and privacy, people can get useful information and counseling through the Internet.
 

Mr. President,

In conclusion, the declaration which will be adopted in this Special Session must be translated into meaningful action. For this purpose, strong cooperation at the regional and international level in the future is essential. We are ready to share our experiences and lessons learned with other countries in similar situations. Furthermore, we support the establishment of a global HIV/AIDS and health fund and will contribute to this fond. Let's make this Special Session a historic turning point which gives hope and courage to all people who are infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.
 

Thank you.