Written answers

Thursday, 29 June 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

Overseas Development Aid

8:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the EU and UN will accelerate a programme to combat HIV and AIDS in the African countries most severely affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25471/06]

Photo of Conor LenihanConor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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The European Union, like Ireland, has a particular focus on communicable diseases including HIV/AIDS. The European Union approach is outlined in the 2005 report entitled "A European Programme for Action to Confront HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis through external action". This report provides for accelerated investment and effort both at European Union level and in conjunction with other global partners. Implementation of the report will see greater emphasis on Research and Development in Europe as well as greater financial and technical support for HIV and AIDS in poorer countries.

Since 1996, the European Union, with the support of Member States, has quadrupled its funding to HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, the three priority diseases identified in the UN Millennium Development Goals. The European Union is now the second largest donor in this area and has provided over two billion euros for the period 2003-2006.

The United Nations accords exceptional priority to combating HIV and AIDS, as reflected in its General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS in 2001 and at a further such session in 2006. The Taoiseach took a leading role in both of these sessions. The efforts of the United Nations on HIV/AIDS are coordinated by UNAIDS, which has led an accelerated global response to HIV/AIDS. There has been a 28-fold increase in funding for low and middle income countries from €240 million to €6.6 billion in 2005. UNAIDS has recently launched a new global effort to achieve Universal Access to Prevention, Treatment, and Care and Support by 2010. This has major implications for international and national policy, and financial resources. UNAIDS has also made considerable progress in 'mainstreaming' HIV and AIDS in the plans and strategies of the UN development agencies.

Consolidation and coordination of effort is required if a timely response to the HIV pandemic is to be ensured. UNAIDS offers an opportunity for a wide range of organisations and governments to support such consolidation and coordination. It provides leadership to improve support to low and middle-income countries, in Africa and elsewhere, in scaling-up their responses to HIV/AIDS. This involves harmonising multilateral budgets, work plans, country-level responses, identification of needs and technical frameworks.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that Ireland, in its own right, and as a full member of both the European Union and the United Nations is fully committed to playing an important role on the issue of HIV/AIDS, as clearly demonstrated by the Taoiseach's leadership in attending the recent United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS and his pledge to provide annual funding of €100 million to combat HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases.

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