Australia's Global HIV/AIDS Initiative

In recognition of the high priority Australia places on helping countries combat HIV/AIDS, Australia has approved a Global HIV/AIDS Initiative totaling $1 billion over the ten years from 2000 - 2010.

HIV/AIDS is more than just a health issue. Addressing HIV/AIDS needs political leadership to mobilise resources in a coordinated way across a broad range of fields. Partnerships need to extend beyond government to the private sector, civil society and community-based organisations to ensure an effective response to the disease and its impact. Thus Australia is active both in advocacy at the political level, and in activities designed to meet local needs and priorities.

Australia plays a strategic leadership role internationally by:

" Belonging to a constituency on the governing body of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) from 2005 to 2006
Belonging to a constituency on the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Becoming a Founding Member of the steering committee for the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS (APLF)
Initiating the Asia-Pacific Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS
Commencing a partnership with the Clinton Foundation.
Hosting the Third Ministerial Meeting on HIV/AIDS in Sydney in July 2007. This meeting of business and government leaders from around our region met to disucss greater private sector involvement in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Established in 1996, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is the leading advocate for worldwide action against HIV/AIDS. Australia contributes $4 million each year to assist UNAIDS to enable, strengthen and support an expanded response to the epidemic.

Australia also works within other international forums. It played an active role in the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in mid 2001 to develop the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the follow-up high level review meeting in June 2005.

Australia also works with the World Trade Organization and the World Health Organization to improve the accessibility and affordability of essential HIV/AIDS drugs.

See:

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) [external website]
World Health Organization (WHO) [external website]

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

Australia has pledged $135 million to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Almost 40 per cent of funding disbursed by the Fund in the Asia-Pacific region is used to purchase much-needed commodities such as pharmaceuticals, mosquito bed nets and other medical supplies.

The Fund is also working to improve diagnosis and treatment facilities in the region and providing additional training for health professionals. Australia's work with the Global Fund is an excellent example of the partnership needed to tackle HIV/AIDS.

See Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria [external website]

Sub-Regional Initiative

The HIV/AIDS Sub-Regional Initiative - Final Report [PDF 1.48MB] maps the social, security and economic impacts of the epidemic in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and East Timor.

2007

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