Mr. Secretary-General,
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The nations of the world have gathered here, in New York, not only to discuss the problems related to HIV/AIDS, but to decide on concrete measures to fight this pandemic.

The battle against HIV/AIDS, for the Swiss Government, begins with ensuring a proper coordination at the national level allowing it to collaborate with other civil society actors, notably international organisations, NGO's, the economic and research sectors, as well as people living with HIV/AIDS and their families.
Furthermore, a program designed to effectively fight HIV/AIDS must dispose of adequate and long-term financial means. Its principal axis must be prevention, in order to impede the spread of further infection. Prevention is paramount -- more so, considering that no cure exists for this disease. Preventive strategies must place an emphasis on vulnerable groups and people, in particular youth and especially young girls, intravenous drug users, men who have sex with men, migrants, and people involved in prostitution.
The predominant role played by a fully empowered society must be recognized, particularly in prevention and care, but also in helping programs to better monitor their activities. Furthermore, to us, it is also very important that activities designed to fight HIV/AIDS be clearly based upon the principles of non-discrimination and of respect for human rights.

One of HIV/AIDS' most tragic consequences is certainly its orphaning of millions of children. In addition, scores of these orphans are also infected. It is therefore imperative that a portion of any additional financial resources be used to help them. We must ensure, for these children, the full enjoyment of their fundamental rights and shield them from stigmatization.

Along with prevention, care, treatment and support constitute inseparable elements for an effective response. In less fortunate countries, access to medication must be made possible for people living with HIV/AIDS. We must persevere in our efforts to
reduce the cost of medication. Furthermore, one can neither minimize the gravity of the problem of resistance to the virus which may develop with use of the wrong medication, nor justify inaction by hiding behind such a fear. In many developing countries, assuming responsibility for a large number of people affected by the disease requires a reinforcement of health-care systems. Switzerland, for its part, supports granting additional financial resources to multi-sector and cross-cutting programs, rather than only to specific projects which are often short-lived. It is a question of taking this opportunity to improve the overall health care infrastructure of concerned countries. As far as specific projects are concerned, priority should be given to preventing transmission of the virus from mother to child; all the more since treatment in this regard is relatively simple and could be implemented on a large scale.

Lastly, we must increase our efforts in the research and development of a vaccine against HIV/AIDS, of microbicides and of medications intended to fend off the myriad opportunistic sicknesses related to HIV/AIDS, most notably tuberculosis.

Less fortunate countries will need considerably increased resources in the battle against the scourge of HIV/AIDS. These additional resources will have to be drawn on national budgets, and from international and private funds.

In response to this emergency, the Swiss Government has decided to practically double its multilateral contribution intended for HIV/AIDS-related issues in 2001, bringing its total contribution to UNAIDS to 4 million Swiss francs. For the year 2002, it has equally decided that this multilateral envelope for HIV/AIDS would be doubled again. Switzerland thereby makes known, through this increased financial effort, its willingness to stand unified and the importance it attaches to the fight against HIV/AIDS. We are furthermore convinced that our commitment must be for the long term -- longer even.

With this longterm perspective in mind, Switzerland wishes to hail the United Nations on its promotion of the concept of a "Global AIDS and Health Fund". We can expectthis Fund to ensure the sustainability of the international community's efforts and to help mobilise actual additional resources.

In order to increase Switzerland's financial effort towards the battle against HIV/AIDS in developing countries, new directions for financing will be examined, including in favour of the Global Fund.

Thank you for your attention.