High-level Meeting on HIV/AIDS

– As delivered –

Remarks by H.E. Mr. Volkan Bozkir, President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly

8 June 2021

Excellencies,

Her Excellency Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General,

Ms. Winnie Byanyima, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNAIDS,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to welcome you to this high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS.

Over the next three days world leaders, decision-makers at the highest political levels, those on the frontline of the AIDS response, a diverse range of civil society representatives, academics, and young people will convene to review the progress made since 2016. Together, we will share best practices, lessons learned, and opportunities to galvanize multilateral support to end AIDS by 2030.

I commend His Excellency Mitch Fifield, Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations, and His Excellency Neville Gertze, Permanent Representative of Namibia to the United Nations, co-facilitators of this process, who have worked tirelessly facilitating negotiations on the political declaration.

I thank all Member States for their constructive engagement throughout the negotiations. Your efforts in this arena will truly contribute to making the world, a more equal, just, and safer place for all.

I also thank Ms. Winnie Byanyima, Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UNAIDS, for the invaluable work and support to the co-facilitators, and throughout the preparation for this high-level meeting.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We have made great strides since the first case of AIDS was reported, four decades ago. AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 61% since the peak in 2004. Since the 2016 high-level meeting, dozens of countries have met or exceeded the targets set out to fast-track the AIDS response and accelerate progress towards ending the AIDS epidemic. We should acknowledge this success.

However, the global targets set out five years ago have not been met. Due to under-investment, many countries have fallen short.

The tragic reality is that the most vulnerable are hardest hit by HIV. They are at greatest risk of being left behind as AIDS remains not just a health issue, but a broader development challenge. Let us not forget that AIDS often affects those in the prime of their life.  

The COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, and humanitarian emergencies, have impeded progress as health systems are placed under immense strain, and critical services and supply chains are disrupted. Moreover, climate-based disasters are prevalent in areas with a high HIV burden, posing an additional risk to the most vulnerable in society. Tragically stigma and discrimination persist, further isolating those already marginalised.

Put simply: AIDS is an epidemic of inequalities.

If we are to end AIDS by 2030, we must end inequalities.

In this Decade of Action if we are to deliver the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, all Member States must re-commit to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Ending AIDS is both a pre-requisite and a result of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals. From ending poverty, to ensuring good health and well-being for all, to gender equality.

Last year half of the people newly infected with HIV around the world were women and girls. Six out of every seven new HIV infections among young people, aged between 15-19 in sub-Saharan Africa, were girls. Six out of every seven.

Young women are twice as likely to be living with HIV as young men.

This is unacceptable.

Every girl and every woman must be free:

• to exercise their fundamental human rights;
• to make their own decisions;
• to live a life free from fear of gender-based violence;
• to be treated with dignity and respect.

All girls should have equal access to quality education.

This is the foundation for a society where women feel safe to take their rightful place in the workplace, public life, politics, and decision-making.

As an International Gender Champion, I firmly believe that if we are to end AIDS, we must end gender inequality.

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Over the past eighteen months the multilateral system, the private sector, civil society, and academia have galvanized action to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Our resolve remains firm.

Now is the time for Member States to re-commit to our 2030 targets and accelerate our efforts to end AIDS by 2030. To press forth, in the spirit of the Political Declaration which you will take under consideration today.

We must listen to the voices of those affected, the civil society representatives, the health workers, and the epidemiologists who have been ringing the alarm.

We must take urgent action to ensure equal access to treatment if we are to prevent the 12 million people, who are now living with HIV, from dying of AIDS-related causes.

We must end stigma and discrimination, for once and for all.

If we are to end AIDS by 2030, we must take action today.

I thank you.