UNGASS - Summary of Informal Consultation

[Guest guest]

Discussions on the Secretary General's Draft Report

26 February 2001

Summary prepared by Kim Nichols, African Services Committee

UNGASS First Informal Consultation Meeting

February 26 – March 2, 2001, New York

The morning session opened with comments from the President of the General

Assembly, from Deputy Assistant Secretary General, Louise Frechette, and

from the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Piot.

Notably, Dr. Piot stated: "   Let me say what this draft report is not.  It

is not a global plan of action. " This statement resounded, as throughout

the day, member states and other delegates to the meeting reiterated the

global, regional, and national epidemiological statistics and social and

economic impact indicators which form the core of this status report.

It is also important to note that the Critical Issues paper was not yet

available for the day's discussion , reaching only limited distribution

following the adjournment of Monday's meeting. Neither member states nor

NGOs were thus able to include comment upon this set of issues on Monday.

[in fact, few commented upon the Critical Issues paper on Tuesday 27th].

While most countries chose to describe their own  national responses to

their respective  HIV/AIDS epidemics, a number of countries outside the

Sub-Saharan region  focused on features of the African epidemic, offering

support for debt relief and flexibility in trade policies to allow for

production of generic pharmaceuticals.

Australia, Algeria, Sweden, Norway, and Russia, among other member states,

spoke passionately of HIV as a human rights issue, spoke of need for

political commitment, and for commitment to protection of the most

vulnerable groups.

Iran, as chair of the G-77, stated that " the main enemy here is the very

state of underdevelopment.  We assure you of the full cooperation of the

G-77 and China, openness of approach and readiness for cooperation, to set

up concrete and practical approaches to the epidemic. "   (Throughout the

day on Tuesday, delegations of the G-77 expressed their support for this

statement.)

Little overt criticism of leadership was offered, through much was made of

the generic need for political leadership. Few solutions to problems such

as stigma and discrimination, gender inequality, or resource scarcity were

offered.

Treatment access received more attention than any other of the eight

challenges listed in the draft Report.  The US vehemently objected to

being criticized by name, by two NGO presenters, the International Gay and

Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the UNAIDS NGO Programme Coordinating

Board members, who made reference, respectively, to US opposition to

Brazil's model of compulsory licensing and to US restrictions on needle

exhange programs.

Brazil described its antiretroviral drug manufacturing process in some

detail, and noted that the  death rate has fallen by 50% since free and

universal treatment access was implemented in 1996.

Peru's statements made clear that responses to the epidemic in other parts

of Latin America have not been mobilized as rapidly nor as innovatively as

those of Brazil.

At least half a dozen member states expressed appreciation for the

important role of civil society and, in particular, PWA organizations, in

preparations for the UNGASS, and in mobilizing an effective response

worldwide to the HIVAIDS pandemic.

Of 55 African member states, only 32 were present during the day's

meetings. Of those in attendance, Algeria, Togo and South Africa were the

only delegations to make statements.

Togo, as Chair of the OAU,  focused on the outcome of the African

Development Forum, a Consensus Document on African HIV/AIDS development

needs, which was written by African scientists, African political leaders,

and African NGOs.

South Africa's delegate gave an overview of their commitment to

prevention, counseling and testing, stigma reduction, and care and support

..  He tread on new ground for South Africa when he thanked the

international community for their solidarity in the matter of the SA

Pharmaceutical Manufacturer's lawsuit against his government.  He said

that South Africa is engaging in discussions with a range of partners in

the interest of antiretroviral access becoming both equitable and

sustainable at a population level.

On a bizarre note, the US delegate also expressed  concern that no

pharmaceutical industry NGO was represented on the list of accredited

NGOs. Dr Piot explained that although NGOs which already hold ECOSOC

status had to apply for special permission to attend the UNGASS sessions,

they were not listed on the same publicized roster as those NGOs which

received accreditation for the UNGASS last week. (In fact, a

representative of PHARMA read a statement on Tuesday  to the meeting, from

the NGO gallery, and another pharmaceutical industry representative will

speak on the NGO panels on Wednesday).

The World Bank stated that " Money alone will not solve the problem, but

without money, there is little we can do. "

Other NGOs which made statements included the International Labor

Organization, the UNFPA, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, the

Open Society Institute, and the World Council of Churches.  It is our

understanding that these statements will be posted separately on BTS

(break-the-silence@...).

---

B R E A K   T H E    S I L E N C E

UN General Assembly - Special Session on HIV/AIDS

New York - 25 to 27 June, 2001

You are currently subscribed to break-the-silence as: Subharaghavan@...

To unsubscribe send a blank email to

leave-break-the-silence-32325T@...

To join email: join-break-the-silence@...

To post email: break-the-silence@...

Coordinated by Health & Development Networks

Internet: http://www.hdnet.org

Discussion archives and summaries available at this site