Statement by MFA Tonino Picula at the 58th Plenary Session of the UN General Assembly

Mr. President,

As we assess today our progress against the first time-bound targets set out in the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, it is clear that much still needs to be done as the challenges posed by this epidemic remain as large as ever. In this respect my delegation would like to stress the importance of the Report of the Secretary-General, which undoubtedly warns us of the fact that despite all the measures that have been taken by States so far, they are still insufficient to halt the negative impact of the epidemic and reverse the acceleration of new cases in the future.

Mr. President,

Parallel to global efforts, national policymakers need to be held accountable in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Therefore, in looking for a holistic approach Croatia has taken a number of measures nationally. Even prior to the Special Session, the Ministry of Health had already established a Commission for the Prevention of HIV/AIDS in 1990. The Commission drafted a National Program for Protection against AIDS, which was adopted by the Government in October 1993. This Program established a comprehensive approach addressing HIV/AIDS related problems, including the introduction of triple anti-retrovirus therapy on the list of treatments of the Croatian Institute for Public Health, and approving other necessary anti-retrovirus therapeutic drugs upon the Institute’s recommendation.

In order to widen its scope of action the Commission was replaced by a National Committee for the Suppression of HIV/AIDS, which has taken it upon itself to update its working methods and review the National Program in order to meet the policy targets set forth in the Declaration.

Mr. President,

Although less than 300 cases of HIV/AIDS infection have been recorded in Croatia, we are fully aware of the fact that Eastern Europe along with Asia has the fastest-growing HIV epidemic rate in the world. Therefore, the Croatian Government is focusing on policies and strategies that will make the public more sensitized to the HIV/AIDS issue, while at the same time trying to engage civil society in the national response to the epidemic.

As part of the national commitment, campaigns have been organized through electronic and printed media, lectures for the general public, as well as for the most vulnerable groups - children, women and girls. Written materials and brochures are being widely distributed and education programs in schools and universities targeting teachers, students, and risk groups have been initiated. Major progress has been achieved and a great deal of effort has been invested in coordinating the activities of the Government and non-Governmental sector. As a result the Ministry of Health subsidizes the work of several NGOs as well as health institutions dealing with HIV/AIDS positive patients.

Preventative programs include providing replacement paraphernalia for drug users and risk groups, or to the general public. This includes needle-exchange programs, the distribution of prophylactics, counselling, educating the educators programs, advertisement programs, etc. Croatia also uses manifestations like World AIDS day as a way to raise awareness amongst the general public of the many problems related to this illness.

Mr. President,

In Croatia several international organizations work with the Government and national NGOs in fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic. These include first and foremost the United Nations and the World Bank, as well as a plethora of UN specialized agencies and programs. Croatia would especially like to express its appreciation to UNICEF for the education and prevention sponsored programs it initiated with the Children's Hospital in Zagreb, as well as, programs aimed at risk groups throughout Croatia, including the youth.

Moreover, UNDP, UNICEF, WHO, UNAIDS, UNHCR, the World Bank, the World Health Organization and the International Organization for Migration established together with the Croatian Government a UNAIDS Group in 2001, whose primary goal is to introduce effective preventative programs against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Mention should also be made of Croatia's participation in the UN Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Croatia's Program, which was approved by the Fund in January 2002, is divided into five (5) sections, dealing with peer education in the education system, reducing the risks of infection in risk populations, making voluntary testing for HIV/AIDS and counselling more accessible, raising the quality of health protection and increasing the quality of monitoring the spread of infection. It should be stressed that Croatian health institutions have used the Global Fund Program to build upon existing programs, and the Global Program can in many ways be viewed as an Action Program for Croatia's National Program for Protection Against AIDS.

I am particularly pleased to inform you that as of this autumn, in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Zagreb will become one of three «Knowledge Hub» centres for central and south-eastern Europe. The Centre will be operated within the framework of WHO’s capacity building projects to fight HIV/AIDS and through German funding. Joint efforts of this project will focus on enhancing the system of prevention and monitoring of HIV/AIDS cases in the region, where according to WHO it is estimated that more than a third of those suffering from AIDS remain unregistered.

Finally, Mr. President,

My delegation hopes this meeting will provide a pertinent benchmark as to whether nations are serious in their resolve to establish an enabling policy environment which sets the stage for the programme and impact targets of 2005 and 2010. Moreover, it should help to articulate a clear vision of the work to be done so as to restore momentum and much needed political will and leadership in those areas where progress is lagging.

Thank you.