Mr. President,

I wish to congratulate you on your election and assure you of my delegation' s full support. Let me commence by stating that thé Philippine Government welcomes this Special Session which addresses calls for compréhensive and effective action to halt and reverse a global health catastrophe that has threatened to decimate populations, retard economic growth and development and leave millions of children bereft of care, guidance and a secure future. I speak of thé HIV/AIDS' disease that last year alone claimed thé lives of millions of people, many of them children. This disease has robbed schools of teachers and families of breadwinners and parents, leaving orphans and thé elderly destitute. It has diminished thé number of productive citizens, thereby threatening thé very survival of certain nations.
 

Mr. President,

The Philippines' HIV-AIDS situation can be described as a low infection/slow progression disease. The level of prevalence among those presumed to be most
vulnerable is low and thé incidence of HIV/AIDS cases is also low. Though thé Philippine response to thé disease has preceded any rapid increase in its prevalence, this
does not alter thé urgent need to reduce significantly thé prevalence and incidence of this epidemic.

In this regard, thé country's leadership responded quickly. The Philippines enacted thé AIDS Prevention and Control Act, which mandated thé prévention and control of HIV/ÀIDS in thé country and reaffirmed thé human rights of infected and affected persons by protectiog their confidentiality and prohibiting discriminatory acts and policies. Moreover, thé Philippine National Aids Council, thé country's highest policy-making body on this matter, was created to coordinate and direct activities pertaining to HIV/AIDS. Our efforts have also included thé active participation and substantial contribution of civil societies and many excellent individuals and organizations. We have also mobilized local responses to thé epidemic on a national scale.
 

Mr. President,

An effective response to thé HIV-AIDS pandemic begins with thé récognition of HIV/AIDS as a serious challenge to a people's health and a nation's development. In meeting this challenge, we must encourage thé participation of people living with HIV/AIDS as well as thé vulnérable populations. Governments must enact legislation and adopt measures that ensure non-discrimination and protection of thé rights and dignity of those living with AIRS. Alternative livelihood opportunities must be provided to reintegrate people living with AIDS with their families and communities.

For countries with low HIV/AIDS prevalence such as the Philippines, attention must be given to the more visible sexually transmitted infections (STI) problem. The reality in resource poor developing countries is that even the cost of prompt and effective treatment of STIs remains prohibitive. It must be made affordable. Moreover, in allocating international donor resources for HIV/AIDS, it would be wise to maintain a. constant portfolio for STI including HIV-AIDS interventions so as to have a forward. defense strategy against a future HIV/AIRS epidemic in the future. We join governments which have advocated that, on the matter of drugs essential to the survival of human beings, the right to life should take precedence over any commercial or other interests.

An effective response to the pandemic must include attention to the plight of migrant workers and their families and their vulnerability to HIV-AIDS. Governments must consider providing a basic minimum package of information on the prevention of HIV and STIs and the corresponding essential diagnostic, early treatment and counselling services to those people moving across their borders at the fringes of their respective laws.

We hope to see these requirements as part of this Sessions collective action program.
 

Mr. President,

Regional action is also imperative to countryr the spread of HIV-AIDS. In our part of the world, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has included HIV/AIDS in the agenda for its coming November Summit in order to place HIV/AIDS at the top of our respective national agendas, collaborate on inter-country/cross border issues, and exchange technical expertise and experience.

Finally, this Special Session represents the international communities' commitment to constructive action against HIV/AIRS. Collectively and with the necessary political will we stand more than a chance of success. We must, however, act. now.
 

Thank you, Mr. President.