Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I would like to express that Spain fully supports this Statement of Undertakings that I hope will be approved by all.

Over the last 20 years, we have seen this pandemic spread in an extraordinary way. Currently, it is devastating developing countries and wiping out generations of young people on whom many of these countries rely for their economic and
social development.

In the European Union this epidemic has been controlled up to a point with preventive, educational, and treatment measures. To date, in Europe and in Spain, in particular, AIDS is more a chronic disease than a social and human threat.

However, in Sub-Saharan African countries this epidemic threatens all societies. At the same time, in Latin America and the Caribbean, region for which Spain has a special sensitivity, this epidemic is spreading in an alarming way.

Poverty which is always linked to illiteracy, disparities in the recognition of women's rights, the stigma attached to AIDS sufferers and VIH carriers, the lack of sympathy with regard to sexual orientation and of health facilities for control and prevention make this epidemic spread without control.

The fight against illiteracy is a priority, as well as educational policies, integrating sexual education and the respect for human rights in the school syllabus, with the participation of families, teachers and young people. Laws should be adapted to the principles of respect to the individual regardless of his/her sexual orientation.

We acknowledge and are grateful for the efforts made by civil society towards a change in society's attitude to eliminate discrimination against AIDS sufferers, to give support to those most vulnerable and to disseminate preventive strategies in groups excluded from society.

Prevention is a key element. The promotion of a favourable social environment by stimulating healthy changes in behaviours involving risk of infection, favouring the use of condoms, ensuring the availability of safe blood and avoidance of maternal-foetal transmission are decisive elements of this strategy.

And, in the field of prevention, please allow me, Mr. Chairman, to make a special mention to the prevention of VIH transmission amongst drug users.

Damage-reduction programmes, especially amongst intravenous drug users have had a great outcome in preventing new cases.

In Spain we have considerable experience, since the delay in starting the damage-reduction programmes caused a rapid spread of the epidemic that was not controlled until these programmes were implemented.

The strategy of these programmes involve a powerful assistance network for drug addicts, methadone places and syringe-exchange. The damage-reduction programmes are particularly aimed to prisoners, to their social and work reintegration, and prevention of primary drug consumption.

This preventive effort and the therapeutic advances achieved have drastically changed the evolution of the epidemic in Spain. Nevertheless, universal access to prevention and to the integrated care of patients with VIH/AIDS infection, including antiretrovirals and other medicines for the treatment of opportunistic infections is abysmally unequal in different parts of
the world.

The strengthening of local capacities to attain access to essential medicine and antiretrovirals and the implementation of differential pricing are mechanisms that will help in the distribution and correct use of these medicines. I am sure, Mr. Chairman, that the tension between the universal right to health and the defence of intellectual property rights will be resolved favourably.

But access to antiretrovirals is not the only challenge. The need to improve the training of health personnel and basic health systems is considerable and will require an integrated approximation.

The Kingdom of Spain and my Government stand decisively behind the UNGASS process and its Statement of Undertakings that has led to this Special Session, while thanking UNAIDS for the work it has carried out.

We are willing to collaborate in the development and implementation of a World Solidarity Fund in the fight against AIDS.

Mr. Chairman,

Neither the signing of this Statement of Undertakings nor the creation of the Fund are an end in themselves but rather a beginning. Much remains to be done; millions of lives depend on us and the response must be urgent.

Last but not least, Mr. President, I would like to refer to the Fourteenth International Conference on AIDS to take place in Barcelona, Spain, in July 2002, and to call for ample participation in this Conference. The theme of this Conference: "Knowledge, undertaking and action" covers faithfully the principles of this international campaign.

We possess the knowledge we have acquired in the 20 years spent fighting AIDS. This Special Session of the General Assembly implies an undertaking to act urgently. We must do so now with the greatest effectiveness.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.