World AIDS Day, 1 December 2005: Message from Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon

"Those with HIV/AIDS continue to suffer not only the health consequences but also a social stigma bred of ignorance, which they should not have to bear." - Don McKinnon Photo Credit: UNAIDS

Almost everywhere in the world people are affected by HIV/AIDS, but none more so than those living in the developing world. Extreme poverty has continued to breathe life into the epidemic that is crippling communities.

Commonwealth countries represent around one-third of the world's population, but carry disproportionately almost two thirds of the world's HIV/AIDS burden. Globally, the nine countries most heavily burdened by HIV/AIDS are in the Commonwealth.

Four years ago, Commonwealth members, along with other countries around the world, committed themselves to a time-bound set of targets to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS. For the first time, a global crisis had a global response.

But where are the results? To date, the targets set for 2005 have not been met. By now, 3,000,000 people living in the developing world with HIV/AIDS should have received treatment. Little progress has been made worldwide in reducing the number of new cases of HIV infection. Ninety per cent of young people should, by now, have access to the information they need to stay safe, but don't. Those with HIV/AIDS continue to suffer not only the health consequences but also a social stigma bred of ignorance, which they should not have to bear.

The Commonwealth has a responsibility to get its efforts back on target. We must renew our strategies and programmes to make them work better, especially for women and young girls. We should work harder to tackle the 'brain drain' of doctors and nurses from the developing world, which is tearing apart too many health care systems in the countries whose needs are the greatest. Above all, we want wealthy nations to honour their aid commitment of 0.7 per cent of GNP in order to provide the funding required. 

The outlook is bleak. Too many people are dying of HIV/AIDS and there is not enough being done about it. Our Commonwealth Youth Ambassadors for Positive Living show us that despite living with HIV/AIDS there is hope and opportunity. The Ambassadors' message to those with HIV/AIDS in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific is that they can lead a positive life.

We must renew our efforts to accelerate our programmes and deliver with commitment, and in doing so, reverse one of the greatest human calamities of our time. Each international organisation, government, and every individual citizen must play their part in honouring our collective promise.

Key Links:

• HIV/AIDS
• Secretary-General
• LinkIn Newsletter, World AIDS Day 1 December 2005. STOP AIDS: Keep the Promise

Related News:

• World AIDS Day