Don't ignore AIDS, UN envoy warns Asian government officials

A top United Nations envoy today called on ministers and senior government officials from 47 Asian nations not to ignore the threat of HIV/AIDS and its devastating impact on communities.

In Bangkok for the 59th annual meeting of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Asia Nafis Sadik said "AIDS is no ordinary crisis. It must call forth an extraordinary response. We cannot continue to live in a make believe world."

Also speaking at the meeting being held from 1 to 4 September, UNESCAP Executive Secretary Kim Hak-Su warned that even a low prevalence rate could translate into massive numbers of infections in the Asia-Pacific region as it has the largest population base in the world.

Given the fact that over 50 per cent of new infections worldwide occur among young people there are an estimated 620 million young lives in the region especially vulnerable to HIV, he warned. Mr Kim Hak-Su highlighted the need for governments to initiate urgent and comprehensive action against the pandemic before it is too late.

Another highlight was the launch of an HIV/AIDS advocacy kit entitled "To Care To Dare: Fight HIV/AIDS Save Lives" - designed to help governments combat the pandemic through a multi-sectoral approach.