Two recent meetings held in Fiji illustrate the commitment of Pacific Island countries, international organisations and donors to tackle the emerging issue of HIV\/AIDS in the region. The first meeting of the second Regional Strategy on HIV\/AIDS Reference Group (RSRG), held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva 17\u201319 March, was followed by a workshop that marked the re-establishment of the United Nations AIDS Program (UNAIDS) in the Pacific region. The workshop was titled \u201cAccelerating Action Against HIV\/AIDS in the Pacific\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Second Regional Strategy on HIV\/AIDS<\/strong><\/p>\n The first Pacific Regional Strategy, \u201cA Regional Strategy for the Prevention and Control of STD\/AIDS in Pacific Island Countries and Territories, 1997\u20132000\u201d, provided a framework for action by PICTs when the disease first emerged in the region. The first regional strategy is currently being evaluated in terms of its reach, impact and effect. Results of this evaluation will be used to help shape the direction of the second Regional Strategy currently being prepared. The RSRG meeting in March drew together a cross section of key stakeholders on HIV\/AIDS issues in the region, including representatives from PICTs, regional and international organisations, nongovernmental organisations, and advocacy groups working on HIV\/AIDS issues. The reference group was led by Dr Dennie Iniakwala, SPC’s regional Adviser on HIV\/AIDS and STIs (sexually transmissible infections). The meeting provided an opportunity to identify many key issues for inclusion within the strategy and to discuss the focus, framework and intent of the document. A key issue was to differentiate between truly regional level as opposed to country level activities. This first meeting of the RSRG produced a preliminary draft of a new regional strategy, enabling it to be presented for consultation and further development at the UNAIDS meeting the following week.<\/p>\n Seven key Pacific themes were identified by the RSRG:<\/p>\n Regional Action against HIV\/AIDS<\/p>\n Click on the photos to enlarge them.<\/p>\n Two recent meetings held in Fiji illustrate the commitment of Pacific Island countries, international organisations and donors to tackle the emerging issue of HIV\/AIDS in the region. The first meeting of the second Regional Strategy on HIV\/AIDS Reference Group (RSRG), held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva 17\u201319 March, was followed by a workshop that marked the re-establishment of the United Nations AIDS Program (UNAIDS) in the Pacific region. The workshop was titled \u201cAccelerating Action Against HIV\/AIDS in the Pacific\u201d.<\/p>\n The Second Regional Strategy on HIV\/AIDS<\/p>\n The first Pacific Regional Strategy, \u201cA Regional Strategy for the Prevention and Control of STD\/AIDS in Pacific Island Countries and Territories, 1997\u20132000\u201d, provided a framework for action by PICTs when the disease first emerged in the region. The first regional strategy is currently being evaluated in terms of its reach, impact and effect. Results of this evaluation will be used to help shape the direction of the second Regional Strategy currently being prepared. The RSRG meeting in March drew together a cross section of key stakeholders on HIV\/AIDS issues in the region, including representatives from PICTs, regional and international organisations, nongovernmental organisations, and advocacy groups working on HIV\/AIDS issues. The reference group was led by Dr Dennie Iniakwala, SPC’s regional Adviser on HIV\/AIDS and STIs (sexually transmissible infections). The meeting provided an opportunity to identify many key issues for inclusion within the strategy and to discuss the focus, framework and intent of the document. A key issue was to differentiate between truly regional level as opposed to country level activities. This first meeting of the RSRG produced a preliminary draft of a new regional strategy, enabling it to be presented for consultation and further development at the UNAIDS meeting the following week.<\/p>\n Seven key Pacific themes were identified by the RSRG:<\/p>\n Empowerment and engagement of commitment of leaders at all levels (regional, national and community) Further comments are invited on the draft Regional Strategy. Copies are available from SPC through Dr Dennie Iniakwala, HIV\/AIDS & STI Adviser, email: denniei@spc.int<\/a> or Robyn Drysdale, HIV\/AIDS & STI Behaviour Change Communication Specialist, robynd@spc.int<\/a>. The final draft of the Regional Strategy will be presented to the Pacific Island Forum meeting in August 2004 for ratification and endorsement by heads of all Pacific Island countries and territories.<\/p>\n Accelerating Action Against HIV\/AIDS in the Pacific<\/strong><\/p>\n The UNAIDS workshop drew together many organisations, agencies and individuals working on HIV\/AIDS issues in the Pacific region. The meeting was opened by his Excellency the President of Fiji, with opening addresses also from the Chairperson of the Fijian Great Council of Chiefs, Ratu Epeli Ganilau, as well as from the UN Resident Coordinator in Fiji and the UN Theme Group Chair on HIV\/AIDS. The meeting was also addressed by the speaker\/leader of the house of the Fijian Parliament. The meeting thus signalled commitment at the highest level from both the Fijian leadership and international organisations to tackle HIV\/AIDS. The grave consequences of not stepping up efforts to control the disease were made explicit in terms of the impact HIV\/AIDS could have on the productive workforce within Pacific populations. Small population sizes and the observed risk behaviours in the region make PICTs particularly vulnerable to an AIDS epidemic. The initial show of determined political leadership set the tone for the meeting and for the working groups that followed the opening ceremony.<\/p>\n Workshop sessions included an overview of the current situation in the region, development of a framework for action on HIV\/AIDS, review of existing national responses and identification of the strengths, challenges and mechanisms for addressing HIV\/AIDS, regional cooperation, monitoring and evaluation, action areas and next steps required. There were also dedicated sessions for presentation of the preliminary draft of the second Regional Strategy on HIV\/AIDS, allowing further feedback and refinement of the document. Three further sessions examined the coordination of the United Nations agency responses, the roles and strategies of NGOs, and monitoring and evaluation of country responses to HIV\/AIDS. UNAIDS has developed a reporting database (CRIS) for monitoring country level progress towards UNGASS and other locally defined targets. CRIS can also be used to monitor HIV\/AIDS programme or project implementation and to record country results of surveys and research on HIV\/AIDS. Copies of CRIS software and further information can be obtained direct from UNAIDS at: cris@unaids.org<\/p>\n The two meetings signalled a scaling up of efforts within the Pacific region to address the prevention and management of HIV\/AIDS. Political commitment and leadership, combined with adequate resource allocation are required if HIV\/AIDS is to be prevented. These two meetings illustrate that the commitment is there and that everyone has a part to play in this effort.<\/p>\n Mr Tim Sladden<\/strong> Two recent meetings held in Fiji illustrate the commitment of Pacific Island countries, international organisations and donors to tackle the emerging issue of HIV\/AIDS in the region. The first meeting of the second Regional Strategy on HIV\/AIDS Reference Group (RSRG), held at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat in Suva 17\u201319 March, was followed by a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/page-members.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"better_featured_image":null,"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
\nPromoting safe and healthy Pacific Island communities for the prevention of HIV\/AIDS via behaviour change communication strategies.
\nProvide access to quality services including training of health service staff and procurement of ante-retroviral therapies.
\nGreater involvement of people living with and affected by HIV\/AIDS. Increasing support and reducing stigma and discrimination is essential for the effective prevention and management of this disease.
\nIncrease coordination and collaboration in order to share information, develop consistent policies and approaches and provide mutual support for tackling HIV\/AIDS in the region.
\nIncrease funding and access to resources to ensure commitment of both donor agencies and PICT governments to addressing HIV\/AIDS.
\nEnhance planning, monitoring and evaluation, surveillance and research to provide information on the extent of HIV\/AIDS in the region and the effectiveness of efforts to prevent and manage it.
\nEfforts were made to ensure that the second Regional Strategy is closely aligned and consistent with the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV\/AIDS (UNGASS) declaration as well as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to HIV\/AIDS. All PICTs are signatories to the UNGASS declaration and are committed to achieving the various HIV prevention and control targets identified within it.<\/p>\n
\nHIV\/AIDS and STI Surveillance Specialist
\nSPC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"