Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly

—-

GA plenary meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS

12 June 2023

(As delivered)

Excellencies,

Mr. Under-Secretary-General,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

First, let me extend my heartfelt condolences to all whose lives have been affected or upended by the AIDS epidemic and who have lost their loved ones to the disease.

Today, we gather for an important purpose – to assess the progress in the implementation of the Declarations on HIV and AIDS.

AIDS response is critical to our work in this Hall, because it is indissociable from the realization of the seventeen SDGs.

Pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response – whether in addressing AIDS, or Covid-19 – is a cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda.

Our promising agenda – in the fulfilment of which we are lagging behind.

However, there is reason for optimism.

Data shows that the global AIDS response has led to remarkable results.

A diagnosis that was once a death sentence has, through both science and solidarity, been transformed into a manageable chronic health condition.

Due to anti-retroviral treatment and the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis, in the last two decades, we have seen infections decrease by 50% and deaths decline by 70%.

This life-saving progress stands tall as a testament for the power of multilateralism and international cooperation.

While this progress is exceptional, it is also uneven.

The most significant improvements on all fronts of this pandemic happen in countries that choose to invest in their HIV and AIDS responses.

In those places, HIV treatment and educational material is readily, and freely, available.

In others, not only is it difficult to acquire, it also remains a serious taboo.

What is causing these contrasts?

The answer lies with familiar culprits:

Faltering political will, persistent gender inequality, insufficient funding, fragile public health systems, and the failure to redress inequalities.

Dear friends,

The AIDS pandemic is a public health crisis, but the crux of this issue is, ultimately, inequality.

Let’s be honest: the breadth of this epidemic has long roots in homophobia, transphobia and discrimination, too.

And let’s acknowledge that our international community failed to deliver in the early years after the outbreak, because of preconceptions of how the virus spread.

At that time, AIDS was still “the disease that is hard to talk about”.

As our understanding of the disease shifted, so did our response.

It moved to embrace universality, equity, and inclusiveness – principles crucial to pandemic preparedness and response.

Finally, we work to make the right to equal access to healthcare a reality for all.

But let us also remember that a humane approach is paramount to building trust and unity – two key components of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.

There are also very concrete measures we can take to better respond to HIV/AIDS:

First, by addressing the gaps in HIV prevention, testing and treatment services – particularly for vulnerable groups;

Second, by ensuring adequate and equitable funding;

Third, by implementing evidence-based programmes;

Fourth, by using the synergies between AIDS response, broader health goals and the whole 2030 Agenda.

Why? Because overlapping and interlocking crises need to be addressed holistically, not as siloed-off issues.

For too many, AIDS is still a life-or-death issue. But it should not be.

I urge Member States and stakeholders to renew their political and financial commitments to ending the pandemic. 

The SDG Summit in September will offer the best opportunity to make ambitious pledges. 

I wish you a fruitful meeting today.

I thank you.