Australia takes lead on looming HIV/AIDS epidemic by doubling funding

Australia is leading efforts to tackle the looming HIV/AIDS crisis in the region by more than doubling our funding - to $600 million by 2010 - to combat the virus and prevent an African-style tragedy.

An extra $350 million will boost Australia's current $250 million program of international HIV/AIDS prevention and care. Australia's future agenda will emphasise priority action in the Asia-Pacific region.

Australia has been a leading advocate in advancing the fight against HIV/AIDS in our region. The scale of the challenge needs to be clearly understood - with one million new infections last year, there are now 7.4 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the Asia-Pacific.

Stopping the spread of this dreadful disease is an issue I am extremely passionate about. People must not underestimate the severity of this threat to us all. This is why Australia's international HIV/AIDS strategy Meeting the Challenge - launched at today's Second Asia-Pacific Ministerial Meeting on HIV/AIDS in Bangkok - is so critical.

Poverty accelerates HIV transmission and, in turn, HIV/AIDS infection compounds poverty. The grim reality is that our region could become the new epicentre of the global pandemic by 2010 if vigorous and effective responses are not strengthened and increased.

The equivalent of Australia's entire population (more than 20 million people) have died so far around the world from HIV/AIDS. One young person becomes infected every 14 seconds and as mothers and fathers perish, millions of aids orphans are being left behind. This is a human security issue as HIV destroys the fabric of our communities.

With the region's highest reported infection rate, our closest neighbour PNG is bearing the brunt in the Pacific. The virus is mostly spread through heterosexual relations, followed by mother to child transmission. Stigma and poverty mean care can be hard to find.

As outlined in our international HIV strategy, Australian assistance in PNG and our region focuses on five key priority action areas - strengthening leadership and advocacy, building capacity, changing behaviours and attitudes, addressing HIV transmission associated with injecting drug use, and supporting treatment and care.

The region must commit further to united high-level political leadership if we are to win this formidable fight. I will continue to push this issue and strengthen Australia's partnerships with my counterparts at regional forums such as today's Ministerial meeting.

In addition I announce the appointment of Australia's first Special Representative on HIV/AIDS. Ms Annmaree O'Keeffe, a senior official in Australia's Agency for International Development (AusAID), will use her 20 years of development experience to work further with our regional partners in advancing this fight. Australia will also provide an extra $3 million to the Asia Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS and Development.