Statements and Webcast
Asian Development Bank
H. E. Dr. Ursula Schaefer-Preuss, Vice President
10 June 2011
- Statement: English (Check against delivery)
Statement Summary
URSULA SCHAEFER-PREUSS, Asian Development Bank, said the Asian region was home to nearly 5 million people living with HIV, 360,000 of whom had been newly infected in 2009. While no Asian country presented with a generalized epidemic, the next four years would be critical in achieving the Millennium Development Goals for the region by 2015. Most new infections occurred within identified high-risk groups, and responses must be tailored to fit those most in need. Governments could not face the problem alone, but required the engagement of the private sector, civil society, communities and development partners. Progress was impeded by a lack of data. Men who “bought sex” constituted the largest infected group, and because many were or would be married, their wives — usually considered low-risk — were then at high risk of infection. Eliminating gender inequalities and increasing the capacity of women to protect themselves must be made a high priority. Expansion of regional and South-South cooperation also could help address the needs of mobile and migrating populations, generate evidence-based good practices, and stimulate technology development.
Source: GA/11093