Statements and Webcast
Colombia
H.E. Mr. Néstor Osario, Permanent Representative
10 June 2011
- Statement: Spanish (Check against delivery)
Statement Summary
MIGUEL CAMILO RUIZ ( Colombia) said her country’s implementation of inclusive strategies had reduced barriers to comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment and care. Though the epidemic was concentrated in the most vulnerable groups, Colombia shared the concern that more than 50 per cent of those living with HIV were women. As such, it had adopted gender equality and empowerment strategies for women and girls to reduce their vulnerability. Given the large percentage of adolescents living with HIV, Colombia also had improved access to sexual and reproductive health and condom use, and developed approaches to reduce risk. The Government had also set more demanding goals for reducing HIV prevalence.
She went on to insist that free trade barriers, and the costs of both diagnostic tests and antiretroviral drugs be brought down. Stigma and discrimination also must end. A successful international response to the HIV epidemic must include strategies to improve prevention, and Colombia fully supported the goal of zero new cases, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. Underlining the need to strengthen health systems, and research and development, she called for new, sustainable funding sources. Also, there must be more international interest in understanding specific country contexts.
Source: GA/11093