In its July 2005 Summit in Gleneagles, G8 leaders committed to reducing HIV infections by working with WHO, United Nations Joint Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) and other international bodies to develop and implement a scaled-up package for HIV prevention, treatment and care. An integral part of this commitment was the aim of assuring Universal Access to HIV/AIDS treatment for all those who need it by 2010. This goal was subsequently endorsed and expanded by heads of state at the High Level Plenary Meeting of the 60th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 20051.
At the Fifty-ninth World Health Assembly (WHA), the world's health leaders reaffirmed the international commitment to achieving Universal Access2; and, the Health Assembly took note of the intentions of the WHO Secretariat to develop a five-year, 2006-2010 work plan for an organization-wide contribution to scaling up efforts towards Universal Access, based on the Essential Package of Health Interventions for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care3. WHO's contribution to this goal of Universal Access was explained to the WHA as a base on investment in five strategic directions: (1) enabling people to know their HIV status through confidential HIV testing and counselling; (2) maximizing the health sector's contribution to HIV prevention; (3) accelerating the scale-up of HIV/AIDS treatment and care; (4) investing in strategic information to guide a more effective response; and (5) strengthening and expanding health systems.
The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, in endorsing the goal of Universal Access, will invest and concentrate in promoting this Essential Package for HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment and Care in the Health Sector through its five strategic directions. In its country support, the Region will prioritize prevention programmes targeting groups with high-risk behaviour and to strategic information based on its epidemiological context as a region where countries are predominantly experiencing a concentrated and low HIV/AIDS epidemic. Guiding principles that will especially be the foundation of regional support at the country level are described, including (1) country focused; (2) combating stigma and discrimination; (3) fostering partnerships; (4) HIV/AIDS as a chronic disease; (5) advocating for political commitment; and (6) collaborating with regional organizations.
1 United Nations General Assembly, Sixtieth session, 24 October 2005, A/RES/60/1.
2 Fifty-Ninth World Health Assembly, 27 May, 2006, Resolution WHA59.19.
3 Fifty-Ninth World Health Assembly, Provisional agenda item 11.3, A59/39, 4 May 2006.