Statements and Webcast
Trinidad and Tobago
H. E. Mr. Rodger Samuel, Minister of State
10 June 2011
- Statement: English (Check against delivery)
Statement Summary
RODGER SAMUEL, Minister of State of Trinidad and Tobago, aligning with the statement made on behalf of CARICOM, said the adoption of resolutions, treaties and agreements on any subject was useless if there was no commitment to implementing the intentions of those instruments. As a result of the High-level Meeting, the international community must asses the effectiveness of agreed measures and devise new means to achieve the objectives. Within its limited resources, his Government was doing its part to bring relief to those living with HIV/AIDS and to curb the spread of the disease. In that regard, he stressed that Trinidad and Tobago was leading an active campaign in the fight; its efforts aimed to ensure universal access to treatment, care and support and to insulate future generations from the threat.
Outlining his country’s national response, he noted the development of national strategic plans, which coordinated activities to keep the disease from spreading. An “elimination objective” had been adopted to eradicate transmission of HIV from mother to child by 2015. In his country, awareness of the modes of HIV transmission had increased to 77 per cent of the general population. Fifty-two faith-based and civil society organizations had been funded to develop education and counselling programmes in local communities. At the same time, the Government provided free antiretroviral drugs who needed it. Underscoring his country’s commitment to remaining engaged at the international level, he said “The moment has come to renew our commitment and intensify our efforts in the fight against the global pandemic”. In that regard, Trinidad and Tobago agreed with the adage that “HIV is everyone’s business”, and believed it was time to “get down to it”.
Source: GA/11093