Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen!

First of all I would like to commend the Secretary- General for the comprehensive and action- oriented Report and reaffirm our support for it, particularly recognizing the statement that "respect for Human Rights reduces vulnerability to HIV/AIDS".

We are aware that public health is one of the most important requirements for successful social and economic development, while HIV/AIDS is recognized as a major threat.

Now HIV/AIDS is a classic, modern health issue, closely connected with individual and collective human behavior and strongly influenced by broad social and economic forces and linked particularly closely with societal discrimination. HIV is a greater risk for those people and groups who are already marginalized, stigmatized and therefore discriminated against within a larger society. We recognize that development, health and human rights are correlating issues.

Since regaining independence in 1991 Latvia together with other Baltic Sea Region countries is facing common problems in the area of health in general and HIV/AIDS in particular. The area previously characterized by low HIV prevalence during the last four years is facing an extremely steep increase in the number of new infections.

HIV does not respect borders. The epidemiological situation in one country will affect other countries in the Region and requires concerted action. As a result of consultations called the "Baltic See Initiative" on HIV/AIDS prevention (1999-2000) the Governments of the Region declared their commitment to the implementation of the "Baltic Sea Action Plan" - a set of urgent intervention to prevent a widespread HIV epidemic in the Region.

Acknowledging that non-discriminating legislation and protective laws create supportive, legal and political environment for the success of public health development, and national HIV/AIDS prevention efforts, the Latvian Government revised and adopted an adequate legislative infrastructure.

Three basic acts - the Law on Medicine, the Law on Epidemiological Safety and the governmental regulations ensure:
. that every member of society, including people living with HIV/AIDS, is entitled to access to information and education on health, as well as he or she has the right to health and social care services,
. that HIV testing of an individual is voluntary and confidential,
. that an infected individual may work at any trade and profession,
. that antiretroviral therapy for people with HIV infection is available free so far.

From the very beginning HIV prevention in Latvia has been developing in the mainstream of health policy development. The ongoing health care reform is advanced in close collaboration with and the assistance of the United Nations institutions and programs.

Since 1997 the UN Resident Coordinator in Latvia chairs the UN Theme group on HIV/AIDS where all relevant ministries and NGO's participate. The Theme Group has become the de facto national forum for information exchange and operational co-ordination.

We will continue the development and implementation of the multisectoral strategy for combating HIV/AIDS, focusing on the specific dimension of Human Rights in our efforts to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Thank you!