The Economic and Social Council this afternoon adopted resolutions on assessment of the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society and on science and technology for development. It also adopted a resolution urging the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and other relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system to intensify their support to Governments in dealing with HIV/AIDS.

Under its agenda item on coordination, programme and other questions, the Council took up the issue of international cooperation in the field of informatics. Under its agenda item on economic and environmental questions, it took up the issue of science and technology for development. And under its agenda item on coordination, programme and other questions, it took up the issue of the Joint United Nations Development Programme on HIV/AIDS. It held general discussions on the topics.

The Council adopted without a vote a resolution present in the report of the Commission on Science and Technology entitled Science and Technology for Development (E/2009/31), on the assessment of the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, in which the Council called upon all stakeholders to assist developing countries in their efforts towards narrowing the digital divide, particularly with regard to access, affordability, speed in broadband, local content and data privacy. The Council recommended mainstreaming information and communication technologies in the economy as a driver of growth and sustainable development and encouraged all stakeholders to continue engaging in people-centred partnerships as an effective way forward.

The Council also adopted without a vote a resolution present in the same report on science and technology for development, in which the Council decided to make the following recommendations, among other things, for consideration by national Governments, the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development: Governments were encouraged to take into account the findings of the Commission and undertake the following actions: mainstream science and technology promotion and investment into their national development plans; and formulate and implement policies and programmes to expand opportunities for science, technology and engineering education and research for their population.

The Council adopted a decision in which it took note of the report of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on its twelfth session and approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the thirteenth session of the Commission.

During the general discussion on international cooperation in the field of informatics and on science and technology for development, speakers noted that science and engineering were drivers of economic growth, and information communications and technology were of great importance in this regard. Information and communication technology played a central role in development, and in this respect the Commission on Science and Technology was a unique body for the exchange of scientific learning, something very important in social development in the long-term. Practical information technology improvements particularly benefited Member States with limited resources. Speakers also stressed the importance of information and communication technology for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, in particular the Millennium Development Goals. The gap between developed and developing countries in terms of the digital divide was however, an issue.

Speaking in the discussion were representatives of the delegations of the United States, Iraq, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Sweden on behalf of the European Union, Brazil, Switzerland and Egypt.

In the resolution on the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Council urged UNAIDS and other relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system to intensify their support to Governments in dealing with HIV/AIDS. The Council urged Governments to prioritise and expand access to the prevention and treatment of HIV-related opportunistic infections, to promote access to and the effective use of safe and effective antiretroviral drugs of assured quality, at affordable prices, and to support both biomedical and socio-economic research on new products to prevent HIV infection, including those controlled by women, diagnostics, medicines and other treatment commodities, and technologies related to HIV. The Council also urged Governments, donors and other stakeholders to continue to provide financial and political support for research and development of an effective HIV vaccine.

Helen Frary of UNAIDS, introducing the report of the Director of UNAIDS, said since the last report in 2007, there had been tangible results in the global response to the AIDS pandemic. Almost $ 14 billion were spent on AIDS last year - in this time of economic crisis, the call for full funding to reach the goal of universal access to HIV/AIDS-treatment, prevention, care and support remained unchanged. Antiretroviral treatment programmes were in jeopardy. UNAIDS was deeply committed to continue delivering further results in the AIDS response. To better increase the impact of results, the UNAIDS Secretariat and the co-sponsors had agreed on an Outcome Framework to focus and improve the way they worked and optimise partnerships.

During the discussion, speakers noted, among other things, that an effective response to HIV/AIDS must be based on the full respect for all human rights, civil and political rights as well as economic, social and political rights. The efforts of the United Nations to strengthen international coordination on HIV/AIDS were very important and should continue, not just strengthening financial capacities, but also providing assistance to countries needing assistance in various ways. The persistence in many countries of restrictions on HIV/AIDS-positive entries to the country was of great concern, and deportations of those living with HIV/AIDS based on their medical status should not override humanitarian considerations. There was a need to redouble efforts to reduce and eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS and to extend life-saving prevention, treatment and care services to marginalized groups.

Representatives of the delegations of the United States, Sweden on behalf of the European Union, Belarus, Algeria, Turkey, Brazil and the Russian Federation took the floor during the general discussion. Introducing the draft resolution was the Netherlands.
Speaking in general comment was Canada. Speaking in explanation of the vote after the vote was Morocco.


The Council is scheduled to meet next on Monday, 27 July 2009, at 10 a.m., to begin consideration of its agenda item on non-governmental organizations.


Reports

The Economic and Social Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General entitled International cooperation in the field of informatics contained in (E/2009/21), which highlights the continuing cooperation of the Working Group and the Secretariat, which has resulted in practical enhancements in the area of technology that facilitate the work of Member States and Observers of the United Nations, as well as that of the non-governmental organizations accredited to the United Nations.

The report of the Secretary-General entitled Enhanced cooperation on public policy issues pertaining to the Internet, contained in (E/2009/92), notes that the General Assembly, in its resolution 63/202, requested the Secretary-General to submit to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 2009, on the basis of his consultations with all relevant organizations, including international organizations, a report that contained recommendations on how the process towards enhanced cooperation on public policy issues pertaining to the Internet should be pursued. The report responds to that request and seeks to take stock of steps taken to enhance cooperation and to summarize recommendations proposed by all relevant organizations on the way forward.

The report of the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), contained in (E/2009/70), notes that improved modelling methods and expanded surveillance programmes have led to adjusted and generally lower estimates for global HIV incidence, prevalence and mortality. Much expanded coverage of antiretroviral treatment for adults and children, as well as access to mother-to-child transmission prevention services in low and middle-income countries, illustrate that universal access to treatment may be ambitious but is ultimately achievable. Ensuring universal access to prevention will demand a concerted effort of combination prevention strategies, involving bio medical, behavioural and structural approaches. Access to care and support for people living with or affected by HIV must also be a priority, particularly to ensure that children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV are not overlooked. At the country level, the Joint Programme has consolidated its support to national responses through working in joint United Nations teams on AIDS with a joint programme of support, and following the technical division of labour, giving credence to the concepts of harmonization and alignment, and helping to “make the money work”.

International Cooperation in the Field of Informatics – Science and Technology for Development

General Discussion

DANIEL BALZER (United States) said the report of the twelfth session of the Commission for Science and Development was very important. Science and engineering were drivers of economic growth, and information communications and technology were of great importance in this regard. The Commission's dual mandate could harness information and communication to technologies for development. Science innovation and technology transfer were vital for development and for the world economy. The twelfth session was particularly fruitful in moving towards results-oriented discussions by sharing lessons learned and best practices. This was a useful first step in strengthening local capacity for science, technology, engineering and research and for harnessing these for growth.

ABDUL KARIM SHWAIKH (Iraq) said information communication technologies could play an important role in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals, which included basic principles and guidelines to combat illiteracy, and inequality between men and women, among other things. It was important to refer to the role performed by the United Nations through specialized agencies to support countries to utilize the information revolution and to close the technological gap for development. The World Summit on Information Technology 2003-2005 was recalled in this regard. In Iraq, which was one the first Arab countries to adopt information technologies since the 1970s, the computer centre was central to the administrative planning. The National Electronics Centre also assisted in the training of all officials pertaining to technology. Moreover, a number of ministries had been connected with the aim to exchange data, and this had been expanded throughout the country. The Government was preparing a draft project for a satellite. The mining and petroleum sectors were also to be included in the future in terms of technology transfers. The Government had taken measures for the promotion of infrastructures to diffuse technology, as well as activating cooperation within national and regional funds to create conducive environments for scientists, and to combat illiteracy and change education curricula.

ALEXANDER BETROV (Russian Federation) said information and communication technology played a central role in development, and in this respect the Commission on Science and Technology was a unique body for the exchange of scientific learning, something very important in social development in the long-term. The role of science was even clearer in the full-blown economic crisis, and the challenges facing humanity in areas of health, food, and energy. Russia supported the Commission and the results of the work of the twelfth session. The decision to focus the Commission's activity on practical innovations was very timely - in future, the work should be on new possibilities for development. There had been an in-depth discussion and debate during the session. Russia had a position of principle - the functions ascribed to the Commission, including follow-up to the World Summit, should not divert its attention from scientific issues, and the Commission had this time managed to strike a proper balance between these two sides. In the future, this balance should be maintained. The Council should adopt the draft proposal and the agenda of the Commission for its next session.

VITALY KNIAZEV (Belarus) said Belarus supported the expansion of information technologies. Countries engaged in the exchange of technology and programmes understood their relevance to enhance global cooperation and the achievement of Millennium Development Goals. Along with the United Nations specialized agencies and programmes, it was clear that the international community needed to have the experience and knowledge of countries that were advanced in information technologies in order to close the gap globally. Belarus intended to continue to foster the development of information technologies and informatics to enhance global cooperation. In 2009 they would hold an international summit on information technologies, including a wide range of stakeholders, and invited anyone interested in joining to do so. Belarus recommended that the General Assembly adopt a resolution on the possible promotion and transfer of leading technologies for developing countries and countries in transition. They wanted a multifaceted fund for the financing of and sharing of leading technologies. Governments could consider setting up funds under the auspices of the United Nations for the promotion of competent bodies and States for implementing and transferring technologies, through either the use of economic surveys, the Centre on the Use of Science and Technology, and the meeting in January 2009 on the use of renewable resources.

BENGT GUNNAR HERRSTROM (Sweden), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the outcome of the twelfth session of the Commission on Science and Technology was welcomed. The Commission had a specific mandate with respect to follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society, whilst at the same time following its traditional mandate. The work in both fields was appreciated. The European Union recognised the importance of information and communication technology for the achievement of internationally-agreed development goals, in particular the Millennium Development Goals, and appreciated the various operational recommendations in the draft resolutions on science and technology for development. On the progress made in the implementation and follow-up for the World Summit on the Information Society, the European Union appreciated the work done to implement it on the ground, in particular the detailed report prepared by the Secretary-General on progress made with regard to the outcomes at the regional and international level. Considerable progress had been made and continued to be made over the last four years with regards to the results of the Summit. The European Union was looking forward to the adoption of the resolutions before the Council today, as these reflected carefully balanced compromises.

GUILHERME DE AGUIAR PATRIOTA (Brazil) said that the establishment of the new Office of Information and Communications Technology and the designing of a comprehensive information and communications technologies strategy should reduce unnecessary costs. It was necessary that Member States be involved in the process. With respect to Science and Technology for development, it could play a role in economic and social development. The gap between developed and developing countries was however, an issue, and Brazil attached great importance to considering the digital divide. The Internet Governance Forum was an important forum and Brazil believed that the Internet Governance Forum process should be continued. The Secretary-General was particularly slow in addressing the issue of enhanced cooperation on public policy pertaining to the Internet, and a report had now been presented to the Council. This was a crucial issue that deserved more attention. The Internet was critical to be able to look behind Government structures, which affected all aspects of public life. The report of the Secretary-General did not do justice to the issue of the Internet, and there should have been a better response from the top level of the United Nations in this context.

BARBARA GONZENBACH (Switzerland) said with regards to international cooperation in the field of informatics, the Ad Hoc Working Group on informatics had proven to be a helpful forum for the discussion of practical improvements of the Secretariat's information technology architecture. Practical information technology improvements particularly benefited Member States with limited resources. Current work concerned the improvement of Candiweb, the internal information technology instrument to keep track of elections at the United Nations. To ensure that the new Candiweb worked well, the regional groups should appoint Candiweb focal points.

YASSER A. HASSAN (Egypt) said this was a very important report, and a response to a very important issue which was heavily debated at the World Summit on the Information Society. With regards to this report, one of the outcomes of the Summit was to ask the Secretary-General to begin the process by 2006. His report noted that the Special Advisor to the Secretary-General for Internet Governance had carried out bilateral negotiations on enhanced cooperation. This was not acceptable, as there was no further detail. Further, these negotiations should have been announced prior to their taking place. The only tangible step that was taken by the Secretary-General to perform his duties was the one he took on 12 March 2008, asking organizations to detail the steps they had undertaken with regards to enhanced cooperation. This was welcome, although a bit late. There was confusion in the report with the process of enhanced cooperation and the process of Internet governance. The report referred to what the Secretary-General called "several common elements that had emerged from experience". This report contained useful and very important contributions from many of the organizations and stakeholders, and was a very useful one. There should be a Working Group or Drafting Group to work on a Council resolution on this report and how the Secretary-General should proceed in the future.

Action on Resolutions on International Cooperation in the Field of Informatics and Science and Technology for Development

The Economic and Social Council adopted without a vote a resolution present in the report of the Commission on Science and Technology, entitled Science and Technology for Development (E/2009/31), on the assessment of the progress made in the implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes of the World Summit on the Information Society, in which the Council calls upon international and regional organizations to assess and report on a regular basis on the universal accessibility of nations to information and communication technologies, with the aim of creating equitable opportunities for the growth of the information and communication technology sectors of developing countries; calls upon all stakeholders to assist developing countries in their efforts towards narrowing the digital divide, particularly with regard to access, affordability, speed in broadband, local content and data privacy; urges the United Nations entities still not actively cooperating in the World Summit on the Information Society implementation through the United Nations system and its follow-up to take the necessary steps and commit to a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society and to catalyse the attainment of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration; recommends mainstreaming information and communication technologies in the economy as a driver of growth and sustainable development and encourages all stakeholders to continue engaging in people-centred partnerships as an effective way forward; and requests the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, during its thirteenth session, which will be held at the half-way point to the 2015 overall review, to organize a substantive discussion on the five-year progress made in the implementation of the World Summit on the Information Society outcomes, including consideration of the modalities of implementation and follow-up to the World Summit on the Information Society, and invites all facilitators and stakeholders to take this into account regarding their contribution to that session.

The Council also adopted without a vote a resolution present in the report of the Commission on Science and Technology, entitled Science and Technology for Development (E/2009/31), on science and technology for development, in which the Council decides to make the following recommendations, among other things, for consideration by national Governments, the Commission on Science and Technology for Development, and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development: Governments are encouraged to take into account the findings of the Commission and undertake the following actions: mainstream science and technology promotion and investment into their national development plans; formulate and implement policies and programmes to: strengthen science and mathematics education and mentorship for students in primary and secondary schools; expand opportunities for science, technology and engineering education and research for their population, especially women and particularly in the emerging technologies such as biotechnology and nanotechnology, as appropriate; provide, where possible, suitable working conditions for their scientific, technological and engineering talent, especially young graduates and women, in order to prevent brain drain; and develop mechanisms, including innovative solutions for expanding rural power supply, and the provision of broadband access to poor communities in rural areas not covered by market-driven investment to ensure access to science, technology and engineering for women, youth, the rural poor, and other marginalized groups in all countries.

The Council also adopted without a vote a decision present in the report of the Commission on Science and Technology, in which it took note of the report of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development on its twelfth session and approved the provisional agenda and documentation for the thirteenth session of the Commission.

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

Introduction of the Report

HELEN FRARY, of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), introducing the report of the Director of UNAIDS, said since the last report prepared by UNAIDS for the Council in 2007, there had been tangible results in the global response to the AIDS pandemic. Almost $ 14 billion were spent on AIDS last year. In this time of economic crisis, the call for full funding to reach the goal of universal access to HIV/AIDS-treatment, prevention, care and support remained unchanged. Antiretroviral treatment programmes were in jeopardy. UNAIDS was deeply committed to continue delivering further results in the AIDS response. To better increase the impact of results, the UNAIDS Secretariat and the co-sponsors had agreed on an Outcome Framework to focus and improve the way they worked and to optimise partnerships. The Framework also held UNAIDS accountable for making the resources of the United Nations work for results. The Outcome Framework would also enable UNAIDS to lead the integration of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis services, helping to eliminate the half a million annual unnecessary deaths from co-infection. Systemic under-investment in prevention remained a major concern. For better results on prevention, fundamental changes in attitudes, beliefs and laws needed to happen, and there was a clear dividend to be achieved by wiser, targeted investments in prevention. Virtual elimination of vertical transmission would require a major push to strengthen maternal and child health services for sexual and reproductive rights, and would help delivering on other Millennium Development Goals. AIDS had taught the world about the political power of public mobilisation, and these efforts could be targeted in other areas such as maternal and child health and the delivery of all Millennium Development Goals.

General Discussion

JOHN F. SAMMS (United States) said this was an opportunity to continue the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Obama administration was committed to ushering a new era of global public health. This world demanded a new, integrated approach to public health - one that understood and targeted the many factors threatening the livelihood of all citizens. As part of the strategy, the President had pledged to continue the critical work to address HIV/AIDS around the world, increasing funding for much-needed support for maternal and child health, family planning, and health system strengthening to countries around the world. The United States Government was also the largest donor to the Global Fund. The efforts of UNAIDS to highlight the need for Member States and others in the international community to follow through in commitments to ensure the rights of women and girls in formulating an effective response to the epidemic were applauded. There was a need to redouble efforts to reduce and eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS and to extend life-saving prevention, treatment and care services to marginalised groups. Resources would continue to be a challenge in the overall response to the epidemic, in part because of the large number of people needing treatment. Though the world had come a long way, there were many challenges ahead in the struggle, and the leadership of UNAIDS was prodding all forward.

BENGT GUNNAR HERRSTROM (Sweden) said Sweden was very pleased with the outcome of the negotiations on the draft resolution on UNAIDS. Sexual transmission accounted for 80 per cent of new HIV/AIDS infections worldwide, and this underlined the importance of linking HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The work to reduce and ultimately stop the further spread of HIV/AIDS was also about preventing babies from being infected by HIV-positive mothers, and thus saving lives. An effective response to HIV/AIDS must be based on the full respect for all human rights, civil and political rights as well as economic, social and political rights. In turn, respect for human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, would help in addressing gender inequality, one of the main drivers of the epidemic. The AIDS response must be seen as an opportunity to improve health equity - it could never be seen in isolation, but was part of the global health agenda, and vice versa. There was a continued need for research in the medical field for vaccines, new contraceptive methods, medicines, etc. UNAIDS was commended for its indefatigable work against one of the major challenges of these times.

VITALIY KNIAZEV (Belarus) said the implementation of the political declaration in 2006 on HIV/AIDS was very timely and important. There was a high level of international cooperation in this field, which made the joint efforts of the international community to face this very positive. UNAIDS had an important role to play, cooperating with Governments and civil society, all seeking to meet the targets. A lot of importance was also attached to cooperation with the World Health Organization and the Global Fund against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. Belarus had used the indicators proposed by UNAIDS in July 2005, and was implementing a programme to combat HIV/AIDS in the country. There was a system of prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS which was extremely effective in Belarus, and it was already yielding tangible results. There was a trend towards a drop in new infections. If the current trend continued, the propagation of the epidemic would be stopped and reversed. Belarus approached universal access to care very seriously, hoping that by 2010, it would have met Target 6 of the Millennium Development Goals. The efforts of the United Nations to strengthen international coordination on HIV/AIDS were very important and should continue, not just strengthening financial capacities, but also providing assistance to countries needing assistance in various ways.

MOHAMED FAIZ BOUCHEDOUB (Algeria) said the extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in developing countries had made the world aware of the health situation in countries of the South, where the majority of inhabitants did not have the means or resources to care for themselves with anti-retroviral drugs. According to the annual report of UNAIDS, encouraging progress had been made in the achievement of universal access to HIV/AIDS treatment. However, many challenges remained to be met. The persistent lack of global coverage continued to stand in the way of the treatment of the disease. The global financial and economic crisis currently threatened progress in treating the pandemic. The slow-down in the financial system often went hand in hand with cuts in assistance, and this threatened to stop countries from broadening their efforts to achieve global access to treatment for HIV/AIDS. A drop in resources could lead to a halt in treatment, resulting in negative changes in the disease that would require more expensive medicines. Pharmaceutical laboratories were setting prices with a view to maximising income. Countries could not pay for triple therapy, and could not purchase medicines for illnesses that affected millions. The major pharmaceutical companies had a common strategy in this regard. It was imperative to give priority to strategies that tracked emergence of new problems. It was essential for the Global Fund on the Common Programme on HIV/AIDS to work closely with UNAIDS and UNDP to help countries to achieve their objectives on HIV/AIDS and to encourage Governments, donors, and other stakeholders to continue to provide financial and other support to find a vaccine against HIV/AIDS and to transfer technologies for prevention.

EMIR YUKSEL (Turkey) said with regards to the report by UNAIDS, it contained positive data. The global community was at a critical juncture of the epidemic, and needed to redouble efforts to ensure the global economic crisis did not reverse progress achieved to date. The high-level meeting of 2008 in New York underlined once more the importance of global solidarity to overcome the scourge. The next round of reporting, due March 2010, should show the importance of global efforts at the country level.

GUILHERME DE AGUIAR PATRIOTA (Brazil) said Brazil was committed to the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including by providing universal access to prevention, treatment and care for all. The world was facing a serious economic crisis, which was threatening to roll back hard-earned social gains by poor developing countries over the last few years. In order to protect the investments and gains made in the fight, there was a need for increased human and financial resources, as well as access to drugs and health treatment. There was a need for a people-first response to the pandemic, not a profit-led response. Brazil was happy to hear that the representative of UNAIDS mentioned that TRIPS flexibility would be considered in conjunction with WIPO and the WTO, among others, and this should be taken in light of the agreements made through the World Health Organisation. Universal access presupposed access to affordable medicines, and the importance of the Doha Declaration in this regard should not be neglected. Access to life-saving medicines, including generic medicines, should not be unduly blocked by transit countries. Access to affordable drugs was still a challenge for many developing countries. New and innovative financing mechanisms could help in this regard. The persistence in many countries of restrictions on HIV/AIDS-positive entries to the country was of great concern, and deportations of those living with HIV/AIDS based on their medical status should not override humanitarian considerations.

ANATOLY PAVLOV (Russian Federation) said there was very fine work being done under this programme, for one of the most important health issues today. There had been an increase in resources, which increased access to antiretroviral therapy, and thus contributed to a decrease in the spread of HIV/AIDS, which was encouraging and showed that they were on the right track to stopping this epidemic. The aim to achieve full access to antiretroviral therapy by 2010, and to ensure by 2015 the achievement of the sixth Millennium Development Goal on combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, was the ambitious task of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. The Russian delegation highlighted some areas of importance in this context, which included the development and improvement of comprehensive measures, such as vaccines; analyzing health systems in terms of primary health care; preventing the spread of HIV when people emigrate; and improving technical support to countries. The Russian Federation reiterated its commitment to continue to make efforts in this regard at both the national and international level.

Action on a Resolution on the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)

In the draft resolution entitled Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) (E/2009/L.23), adopted without a vote, the Economic and Social Council urges the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and other relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system to intensify their support to Governments, with a view to achieving the goals contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, as well as the goals and targets contained in the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, the 2005 World Summit Outcome and the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS; urges Governments to prioritize and expand access to the prevention and treatment of HIV-related opportunistic infections, to promote access to and the effective use of safe and effective antiretroviral drugs of assured quality, at affordable prices, and to support both biomedical and socio-economic research on new products to prevent HIV infection, including those controlled by women, diagnostics, medicines and other treatment commodities, and technologies related to HIV; and urges Governments, donors and other stakeholders to continue to provide financial and political support for research and development of an effective HIV vaccine. The Council also requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Economic and Social Council, at its substantive session of 2011, a report prepared by the Executive Director of the Joint Programme, in collaboration with its co-sponsors and other relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, on progress made in implementing a coordinated response by the United Nations system to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

SUSANNA TERSTAL (Netherlands), introducing resolution L.23 on the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) on behalf of Armenia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Sweden, Turkey and the Netherlands, said the AIDS pandemic continued to pose one of the most daunting challenges to development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The resolution noted the continued spread of the epidemic, and urged UNAIDS and other United Nations entities to strengthen their support to Governments, with a view to achieving the goals contained in the 2001 and 2006 Declarations on HIV/AIDS and the Millennium Declaration. It requested that a report be prepared by the Executive Director, in collaboration with other relevant United Nations entities, to be submitted to the Council at its substantive session in 2011, including information on progress made in implementing a coordinated response of the United Nations system to the AIDS epidemic.

KEITH MORRILL (Canada), speaking in general comment, said Canada fully supported the resolution and looked forward to a consensus adoption. However, there was a significant opportunity missed to support the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to address the epidemic. Addressing homosexuality was a significant component in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and as such Canada encouraged all countries where homosexuality was a criminal offence to consider the removal of such policies.

SAMRI AZZOOZ (Morocco) said Morocco wished to thank all delegations who had participated in the negotiations. This had been a laborious process, and all delegations were determined to move forward to achieve positive results. The effects of this resolution would be felt in all countries of the world, particularly those in the South who were suffering from the effects of the pandemic. The complexity of the subject of combating HIV/AIDS and its socio-economic implications required a genuine multidimensional approach based on complementarity and solidarity. The spirit of active solidarity for an international and effective response had been displayed here, and the relevance of the Millennium Development Goals had been shown once more. Morocco was satisfied with the text, and was determined to focus its efforts as part of the international struggle against the pandemic.


For use of the information media; not an official record

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