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(KPL) A meeting to brief the outcomes and expected results of the World AIDS Conference 2012 was held on 16 July at the meeting room of the National Assembly for all members of the Lao delegation who are going to attend the said conference which will be held in Washington DC, United States from 22 to 27 July 2012, said press release from National Assembly.
During the session, the participants exchanged views, and discussed outcomes and possible results of the Lao delegation�s participation in the conference.
The International AIDS Conference is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV/AIDS, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. The UNAIDS Global Report of Asia Pacific which highlights the progress made in the region in recent years, as well as areas of continued concern will be presented at the conference. Recently, national governments in the Asia Pacific region have demonstrated greater responsibility by increasing their domestic investments in HIV/AIDS.
However, many governments remain reliant on international funding sources. Increasing both international and domestic funding remains of critical importance to provide an effective response to the pandemic that now includes over five million people in the Asia Pacific region.
Hon Prof. Phonthep Pholsena, Chairman of the Social & Cultural Affairs Committee of the National Assembly will lead the Lao delegation at the International Aids Conference which includes Dr. Bounlay Phommasack, Deputy Director General of the Department of Hygiene and Prevention and Director of the Principal Recipient Office, Dr. Chanmy Sramany, Manager of the Principal Recipient Office, Dr. Bounpheng Philavong, Director of the National Centre for HIV/AIDS, MoH and Kinoy Phongdeth, spokesperson for the Association of People Living with HIV in Laos. The Lao delegation will have the chance to assess the country's current policies and practices in relation to international standards, evaluate recent scientific research and medical developments and draw on this information to collectively chart a course for future action regarding HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and advocacy in Lao PDR. For the first time the National Assembly as well as the Lao Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS will attend this conference. UNAIDS, UNFPA, Helvetas and the Global Fund will provide support for the participation of the Lao delegates at the conference.
At the preparatory meeting, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Pascal Stenier encouraged delegates to make the best of this unique Conference by gaining further understanding of HIV related issues relevant to the Country situation. Topics such as strengthening HIV surveillance systems, increasing communities and key affected populations' involvement in policy development, and service delivery including networks of sex workers, men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs - addressing stigma and discrimination, and enhancing access to antiretroviral therapy will be discussed during the many sessions that make up the Conference. Stenier sees this as yet another opportunity to support leaders� commitment, including key policy makers and donors, to increase their contribution to gender-sensitive, evidence and human rights informed HIV and AIDS interventions.
Dr. Esther Muia, representative of UNFPA to the Lao PDR, stressed that the conference provides an excellent opportunity to draw support for young people who may be at risk of HIV/AIDS. "Recognizing these linkages and confronting the points of overlap between youth, HIV/STIs, and sexual and reproductive health is crucial for a successful response to HIV,"Dr. Esther said. She encouraged the Lao delegation to emphasize the linkage at the national and international level.
Lao PDR's recently-approved HIV law is expected to be implemented shortly. It includes provisions to protect the rights of young people, which will be a significant step in achieving the MDGs by 2015.
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