This statement by the Myanmar representative to the recent UN High Level Meeting in New York makes the [him] moderator yawn.

[him] moderator

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Statement by H.E. Mr. Than Swe, Permanent Representative
of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
at the United Nations High Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS
(New York, 10 June 2011)

Mr. President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Thirty years ago in this month, the world came to realize the scourge of HIVIAIDS.
Since then, over 25 million people have perished due to AIDS. Another estimated 33 million
people are still living with HIV.

At present, we do have a better understanding on HIV/AIDS than three decades ago.
Despite the collected efforts made by all stakeholders, more than 7,000 people are newly
infected with HIV virus each and every day.

Weak national infrastructures, financing shortfalls, stigma, discrimination and gender
inequality continue to destabilize the efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention,
treatment, care and support. We are of the view that the current commitments and
accomplishments to sustain the global HIVI AIDS response are inadequate.

Mr. President,

At this juncture, Myanmar strongly supports the five recommendations made by UN
Secretary-General to strengthen the AIDS response. Mobilization of sufficient financial
resources and the necessary assistance from UN system and the international community are
indispensable to effectively implement the recommendations.

Mr. President,

In Myanmar, an HIV surveillance team was formed in 1985 and the first HIV positive
person was found in 1988. From then on, we included HIV/AIDS as one of the major diseases
into our national health plan.

Myanmar is now keeping abreast with international community to fight against HIV/AIDS.
National AIDS programme is now being coordinated with various stakeholders comprising of 7
UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society. We are implementing HIV/AIDS
prevention and care activities in accordance with "Three Ones Principles". Greater involvement
of people living with HIV/AIDS (GIPA) has been implemented in coordination with UN Agencies,
and both National and international NGOs.

Despite the facts that out of 76,000 people needing ART, only 30,000 AIDS patients
were received the treatment at the end of 2010. Even with the supporting of Global Fund and 3
Diseases Fund, there is still a widening resource gap especially for ART.

Myanmar has already launched new National Strategic Plan (NSP) for AIDS covering
the years 2011 to 2015. Ministry of Health organizes to hold workshops in different states and
regions in the country to raise awareness of the targets and priority of HIV intervention. The first
in a series of such workshop, namely Multi-Sectoral Dissemination Workshop for NSP
supported by UN was successfully held in Myanmar last week.

Mr. President,

With the limited resources and meager international support, Myanmar tried her best to
overcome difficulties in fighting against HIV/AIDS. As a result, we have made a remarkable
progress in our national AIDS response. HIV prevalence among all key populations has begun
to decline. HIV prevalence among adult (15-49) population has reduced from 0.94 % in 2000 to
0.61% in 2009.

According to the 2010 Global AIDS Epidemic Report, Myanmar stands among the 20
high impact countries identified with decreasing HIV prevalence. Myanmar remains committed
to intensify joint actions to achieve better results in prevention and treatment which will lead to
significant contribution to dramatically reshape the AIDS response to reach zero new HIV
infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

Mr. President,

We are highly inspired by the new global Vision on HIV "Getting to Zero" and Myanmar
will continue to work together with a strenuous and collaborative manner in resolving to fight
against the pandemic.

I thank you, Mr. President.

http://www.un.org/en/ga/aidsmeeting2011/myanmar.shtml