Position Paper for the Special Session on HIV/AIDS

The issues before the Special Session on HIV/AIDS are: Children Left Behind: HIV/AIDS, Parental Death, and Living with the Disease; HIV/AIDS in Conflict Zones; and The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the HIV/AIDS Pandemic.  The global crisis of HIV/AIDS warrants the immediate attention of the international community.  The Republic of Finland highly appreciates the role of UNAIDS in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic and fully supports the development of the Global Strategy Framework on HIV/AIDS as well as the establishment of a single new global fund for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.  Prevention, treatment, the situation in Sub-Sahara Africa, and the special circumstances of women and girls are issues to which Finland is firmly committed.

I.               Children Left Behind: HIV/AIDS, Parental Death, and Living with the Disease

The Republic of Finland believes that the issues surrounding mother-to-child-transmission prove it essential that information, counseling, HIV prevention services, and other forms of education are made available to pregnant women everywhere.  As Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy can reduce the rate of mother-to-child infection, Finland advocates the lowering of prices for ARV medicine through global tiered pricing so that even people in developing countries may benefit from the technology.  Concerning infant HIV infection, post-birth systems utilizing lasting, systematic, and supervised treatment are necessary to aid infected mothers and their children.  Incorrectly used treatment could possibly undermine the whole operation by facilitating the spread of resistant viral strains.  The resulting AIDS orphans, particularly in Sub-Sahara Africa, are damaging to family structure and state economy.  Finland fully supports the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS’ contention that children orphaned and affected by HIV/AIDS need special welfare assistance in the form of psychosocial support, schooling, access to shelter, and basic health services as well as a state policy of non-discrimination, and that state governments have an obligation to provide it.  In order to address these issues of prevention and treatment, UNAIDS will need increased funding and resources.  Finland considers financial support in the form of donations from able states essential to HIV/AIDS programs concerning mother-to-child-transmission and children left behind.

II.            HIV/AIDS in Conflict Zones 

The Republic of Finland agrees with the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS that states must have national strategies for dealing with the increased risk of HIV/AIDS in conflict zones.  Finland believes that gender equality and empowerment of women are essential in addressing the vulnerability of women in conflict zones.  Concerning risky behavior of combatants, military personnel, and refugees in conflict zones, education must be made available to all involved. Everyone, especially young people, should have access to education on how to protect themselves from being infected and the resources necessary to do so.  Most importantly, better prevention of the further spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in conflict zones lies in preventing the breakdown of social programs, particularly health care structures.  Finland believes in the importance of stable, universally accessible health care systems as the basic component for both prevention and treatment.  Where individual states fail, the international community has the responsibility to put a functioning health care system into place utilizing the help of non-governmental organizations, regional, and international organizations.  Again, Finland advocates additional financial support from individual States in order for these organizations to do so.  Finally, it is vital that HIV/AIDS awareness and training for personnel in international peacekeeping operations be implemented as recommended in the 2001 UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS.  Finland believes that international peacekeepers should become educators on the danger of HIV/AIDS in conflict zones.  These peacekeepers could carry out awareness and prevention programs that could reduce the spread of the disease in conflict zones.   

 III.          The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the HIV/AIDS Pandemic The Republic of Finland supports the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS’ affirmation of the importance of cooperation beyond communities.  Recognizing this importance, Finland acknowledges the efforts of Non-Governmental Organizations and the critical role they play in battling the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  Many NGOs have reached a level of expertise in their area-specific commitments, whether it be in health care or in education, an expertise that is greatly appreciated and encouraged.  Confronting this pandemic at all levels, at each of its phases, is of the utmost in importance if prevention and control are to continue to be goals of the international community.  Finland encourages the international community to support the work of the NGOs.  Cooperation at the international level will help NGOs as they continue to help our people and the future of our nations.  As a part of the European Union, Finland and the European Commission follow very similar principles in their efforts in the development and aid of developing countries.  Within the efforts of the European Commission, Finland contributes toward the building of a partnership with NGOs.  Finland is committed to the issues and demonstrates its support through its cooperation with the United Nations Children Fund, the International Red Cross, UNAIDS, and many other outreach organizations.  Through its membership in the EU, Finland takes part in the European Commission on Development and Humanitarian Aid.  This Commission has recently created a program focusing on the strengthening of health care, the formal training of health care volunteers, and helping the most vulnerable sections of society in South Africa.  As one of the biggest donors of international development aid in the world, the EC and its member states continue to strive for equality and justice not only amongst its members, but also for those outside its membership.  The Republic of Finland considers education and prevention a top priority, and it recognizes the importance of international support and cooperation at several levels.  Finland believes using a bottom-up approach will involve people at all levels and ultimately achieve this desired cooperation.   

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