Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the action being taken by the world community to combat the problem of AIDS in Africa; the countries currently the worst affected; the countries which have to date achieved the best results; the way this can be replicated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16115/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The international community has demonstrated commitment to combat HIV and AIDS and its consequences through a number of high profile agreements that include the Millennium Development Goals universally supported in 2000, the commitment signed by 189 UN Member States following the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS in 2001 and the special commitment made in 2005 by the G8 grouping to support universal access to treatment. Ireland, through Irish Aid, is supporting actions to address HIV and AIDS through expenditures of more than €100 million a year to address that disease and other communicable diseases.

Progress towards these commitments has been impressive. The UNAIDS world report for 2008 points to a six-fold increase in funding available for HIV and AIDS in this decade so far and describes a remarkable boost in delivery of important HIV and AIDS services and activities at global, regional and country levels, with very particular emphasis in those countries most affected. A notable and valuable development has been the unprecedented number of civil society groups that have become active in HIV and AIDS work and have joined hands with their government counterparts to more effectively tackle common challenges through partnerships.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the worst affected region in the world with about two thirds of global cases (about 22m out of a 33m total of people living with HIV and AIDS in the world), and three quarters of the deaths (1.5 million out of a total global figure of 2 million in 2007). Five of Irish Aid's priority Programme Countries are located in this most heavily affected region, namely Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique and Lesotho.

There is clear and encouraging evidence of progress in this region. HIV prevalence in most southern African countries is either approaching or has reached a plateau. However deaths from the final stages of AIDS remain a major concern. There are country examples of success offering hope that it will be possible to get ahead of this infection.

In Zimbabwe, for example, and despite the well recognised difficulties, HIV prevalence in pregnant women attending antenatal clinics has declined significantly in recent years, from 26% in 2002 to 18% in 2006. Key reasons for this are related to safer sexual behaviour including avoiding sex with non-regular partners, and consistent condom use if sex with a non-regular partner occurs.

Another example is Uganda. It was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to register a drop in national HIV prevalence amongst adults. Starting in 1992, significant decreases in HIV prevalence were observed alongside evidence of substantial behavioural change. This has been due to widespread condom use, delay of first sex and avoidance of casual partners. Whilst there are concerns that gains are under threat, the strategies that need support are well documented and with strong international partnership and effective national leadership, progress can be sustained.

It is possible to sustain and replicate the gains we see today with effective global and national leadership and with commitment by donors to support HIV & AIDS services and activities. Ireland continues to promote the need for leadership and engagement at the highest political level internationally, in order to push back this pandemic. At country level, Ireland works closely with and supports national leadership to hold the ground already gained and to continue to make further progress.