Minister of State Lenihan calls for a strong message on HIV/AIDS

Minister of State Lenihan calls for a strong message on HIV/AIDS

In a Government statement released today at the United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS the Minister of State for Overseas Development and Human Rights, Mr Conor Lenihan T.D, called for a strong message on the importance of tackling the AIDS epidemic.

In the statement, the Minister indicated that Ireland is particularly pleased that this meeting will make a strong contribution to the forthcoming High Level Review of the Millennium Declaration next September when world leaders will once again gather at United Nations headquarters in New York. In September world leaders will not only account for their progress in meeting the international commitments already made including the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), but will also agree on a collective response to the multiple needs, threats and challenges including that of HIV/AIDS, faced by people everywhere in this new century, the statement read.

The Minister's statement emphasised that Ireland is determined to play an active role in the lead up to the September review conference. He also called for this High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS to send a clear message that the fight against HIV/AIDS requires a well resourced, longer term, comprehensive attack on poverty, as well as adequate financial resources for HIV/AIDS work.

Minister Lenihan also pledged continued funding from Ireland to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Currently €50 million is spent per year on HIV/AIDS by the Government's Overseas Development Programme, Development Cooperation Ireland. 

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1st June 2005