Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

UN Conferences

10:00 am

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will be sending a delegation to the international AIDS conference in Vienna in July 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29241/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The International AIDS Conference, held biennially, is an occasion for partners in the fight against HIV and AIDS to congregate and review progress over the preceding two years, look at the current context and plan for the future.

The Irish delegation to the International AIDS Conference in Vienna will include a senior HIV and AIDS advisor from Headquarters, experienced HIV and AIDS advisers from Ethiopia and Uganda, two of Ireland's Programme Countries, and the adviser of Ireland's Regional HIV and AIDS Programme for Eastern and Southern Africa.

Ireland has acquired a high profile internationally for its commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Ireland is active and influential in international fora on HIV/AIDS, with a focus on protecting the interests of the worst affected countries and vulnerable populations. The Irish team will provide invaluable experience from the field and learn from the wealth of knowledge that I expect will be disseminated during the conference.

Combating HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases is a core priority of Ireland's aid programme and this year we will spend more than €100 million in pursuit of this priority. Our assistance is targeted at those countries most affected by the pandemic including Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, Zambia and Malawi.

We support cutting edge research initiatives in the areas of vaccine development and the development of new prevention tools. We invest in empowering women and girls to protect themselves against infection. We support the fight through national governments, civil society programmes, and international public-private partnerships such as the Clinton Foundation.

Ireland will be an active participant at the forthcoming conference in Vienna, and we will continue to collaborate with international partners in tackling the HIV and AIDS crisis.

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