KATAN (MS?): (MS?) I don’t want to be very formal about this, but I still want to introduce this distinguished panel. And I think you have seen Peter Piot before, the Executive Director of UNAID and I don’t think that he needs an introduction, but I just want to say one thing. You know, there are many reasons why I personally admire and respect Peter, many reasons, but there is one very important reason and it is he’s a sincere physician to the human rights of people living with HIV and to the people of -- the great enormous people living with HIV in (MS?) sincere, and I think we’re very lucky and grateful for that. Thank you, Peter.

Now, to my left, Abraham (MS?), the President of the India (MS?) People Living with HIV/AIDS (MS?), and he represents the second largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world. The second largest other than Africa. (MS?) India (MS?), after the tragic death of one of the most powerful forces of People Living with HIV/AIDS in the world, Mr. (MS?). Thank you for coming.

And to my right, I have Milly Katana, who, as you know, is the key in the movement of People Living with HIV/AIDS for the last seven years, and has been involved in the African Council of AIDS service organizations, the Society of Women with AIDS in Africa and then for the People Living with HIV/AIDS. And now, she’s a board member of the GNP club, member of the Global Fund Board as well, and believe it or not, the (MS?) adviser on the issues pertaining to HIV/AIDS in the workplace to make sure that we are doing our utmost to care and support our own staff, especially in a (MS?) protected countries who are living with HIV/AIDS. So thank you, Milly, for coming.

And then finally, to my right, Gina (MS?), thank you so much for coming. Gina represents the Asian/Pacific network of People Living with HIV/AIDS and the global network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, and she’s also the human right convener of the human rights project in Asia/Pacific.

And now, just, you know, before we start I just want to say just a few words since I have this microphone here. And you know, Asia has the second-largest numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS in the world with 6 million, and unfortunately, where we most naturally become the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Now, the low prevalence in Asian countries is deceiving because of the large population of countries (MS?), etc., even low prevalence rates transfer into the millions of people who are living with HIV. Like everywhere in the world, people living with HIV and AIDS face difficult conditions to say the least, and I would even, you know, take the risk of saying that it is even worse in Asia than in many other places. As far as the epidemic in Asia, it’s even more deafening than elsewhere. There’s stigma of denial, discrimination everywhere, and this translates very completely in insufficient care and support in facilities and the unwillingness of government to engage the people living with HIV/AIDS and (MS?) of what needs to be done. And just to say that, you know, the principle of the breaking the role of the people living with HIV and AIDS is a human right in and of itself and the right to participation. And this is a universal basic, ethical and moral issue and we can end it at that, but if we want to be very coldhearted and look at the great involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS, it’s also instrumental in the response to HIV/AIDS. And without People Living with HIV/AIDS, leadership, we just simply cannot succeed. There’s a network and incentive that must be kept. They have a crucial role in fighting stigma and promoting an open dialogue, and they are effective communicators and educators and lastly, but probably most importantly, a formidable political force for change in society, not only in the response to HIV, but more broader than that.

And finally, I just want to say the reason why UNVP is sort of sponsoring this – this press conference, our UNAID co-sponsor, is that we have actually a long history of support to the (MP?) principles and promotion of human rights. Even before UNAID was created and it’s in the context of our work in focusing on the governance issues responding to HIV/AIDS, which includes, you know, the promoting human rights as an enormitive overall framework for every aspect of the response. And in 1989, Elizabeth Reed became our senior adviser on HIV/AIDS in UNVP, and thanks to her work we were at the forefront in the UN System. And I think we were instrumental -- we at least contributed to actually the creation of a number networks, including the Asia/Pacific network and we are very proud of that and want to continue to support.

So, with those sort of words of introduction, Peter, thank you so much for coming. It’s really appreciated.

PETER PIOT: Thank you, Katan, and good afternoon, everybody. Yeah, the reason I’m here –- well, there are many reasons for that, but let’s focus on the two major ones. And that is, as I said yesterday in my speech, we can’t allow the world to stand by when HIV is spreading now in other continents and Africa and that we do, you know, make the same mistakes. And secondly, also, because of my deep belief that the only way to really stop this epidemic is the great involvement of People Living with HIV/AIDS. And, of course, many co-sponsors of UNAIDS has been extremely active through the regional projects particularly in Asia, but what I see happening in Asia is that with some exceptions regard to AIDS hasn’t made it yet to the top of the political agenda. There’s much improvement. There’s no doubt about that, even assuming that the (MS?) of Southeast Asian nations with the -- they had a meeting of heads of states in Burma in November, and for the first time ever they talked about AIDS. But with a few exceptions like Thailand and Cambodia and now Indonesia more recently, I think that we still have a long way to go. I won’t review the figures and so what’s going on in Asia there, you can find them in the reports. I’ll just save some time here. But I’d like to say a few things. One is that this Declaration of Commitment that came out of the U.N. General Assembly Special Session, for the first time with a global forum and a global political forum, recognizes exclusively the central role of People Living with HIV in the response to AIDS, and that was endorsed by all governments. It also has a strong commitment as far as human rights are concerned of people living with HIV or thought to be living with HIV. And that is a principle that I don’t see happening in most Asian countries. What strikes me when I visit Asia is that when it’s said that enormous stigma there is still associated with HIV. In fact, after all 6.6 million Asians are living with HIV, how many have come out and there are some good reasons for not coming out. The majority doesn’t know they’re infected, but those who know infected, they run enormous risks in their societies, and the stories that I’ve heard during my recent visit in India are absolutely appalling and are the worse thing. So, that’s all I wanted to say and one anecdote. I think it was in ’94 or in ’95 that I attended a regional conference on HIV/AIDS in Shanghai in Northern Thailand. And there was a person living with HIV who spoke, and he said, “If we get positive people in Thailand, if we would unite, we would be the largest political party in the country.” And you know, and he said, “That should be a warning to those in power in Thailand.” This was -- I don’t remember -- is it six or seven years ago, and I think that that is a key message that is still equally valid today, that uniting and organizing is actually absolutely essential to make a difference. Thank you.

KATAN: Okay, thank you so much, Peter. Abraham, please.

ABRAHAM: Good afternoon and welcome. I am (MS?). I am happy to attend this conference. I am (MS?) Abraham from India and I’ve been living with HIV/AIDS the last ten years. (MS?) mainly on India. The rest of the situation is almost the same in all our population.

KATAN: Can you speak up a little bit closer to the microphone?

ABRAHAM: (MS?) The measure of people dying and the measure of people getting newly infected day after day. The numbers are keeping -- keep expanding. The suffering is (MS?), as you know, this is the nature of this epidemic. But I think that our rising numbers (MS?), and in Asia, (MS?) the situation is worsening by the day. (MS?) our responsibility to check the spread of the epidemic (MS?) and its impact on long ago. But I have the comfort that there are (MS?) -- there are response from the other stakeholders like the government and national and international agencies have been extremely few. How do people in this area (MS?) response to the epidemic? How does greater enrollment of people living in this area commonly called the (MS?)? The answer is true partnership. If there is a true partnership, you won’t see us suffering and dying. Literally in this area are the centers to the response to the epidemic, but their enrollment (MS?). In a true (MS?), people cannot be mere tokenism, but will amount to (MS?) in every aspect of the -- respect to the epidemic. If you want to speak to the writers, you need to speak to us. You need to listen to us. If you don’t understand the problems of people in this area, how do – how do you understand the problems of the world? How will you understand the writers? In the true permissive (MS?), it is our rightful role. We also want to support the environment and (MS?) treatment and (MS?) people living in this area. We believe that spiritual is an outcome of great reason and care and support. In Asia, people living in this area live in extreme condition of discrimination. We’ve witnessed extensive mindless violations of human rights and discrimination every day. Recently, in the (MS?). Either support strongly the government, national and international identities in the region, to force through our initiative, to enroll the people in this area, in every aspect of the reform to the epidemic -- 6.6 million is not the (MS?) number, but the remainder of the -- nature of the epidemic and the opportunities for the future. Thank you very much.

KATAN: Thank you very much. Okay, let’s go to Milly, please? Do you want a microphone, okay?

MILLY KATANA: Thank you very much, Katan. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. As a woman living with HIV from Uganda, which was the epicenter of this epidemic until now, I get -- I feel very, very worried at the way this epidemic is moving in Asia, in particular given the population that we have in this part of the world. (MS?) I’ve been involved in the organization of People Living with HIV for the last seven years. And in my own country, (MS?), I know it works to put people living with HIV as the center of the response, because we did it and we know it can happen (MS?). I’ve been privileged (MS?) as a co-sponsor of UNAID and help about their problems and visions as far as addressing HIV is concerned. On the issue of human rights is one of the key subjects. (MS?) That in addition to other problems and activities, the issue of advocating for registration that to suppress regions to prevent stigma and discrimination is very key as part of the response to HIV, not only in Asia, but also other parts of the world. And it is particularly true in countries, which have similar rising, you know, of commercial trade, men who have sex with men, injecting drug use, which activities we all know fuel the epidemic. And if these kinds of people are criminalized, the only option they have is to go underground and the laws that are supposed to protect the general public would be used to victimize the public as these people take revenge on the general community. So, we see -- we now have a big role to play in supporting legislation, which will protect the right of people living with HIV and those that are affected.

But what I was talking about on a general note, we think about supporting environment for lots living with HIV. Yes, it’s one thing to inflict the laws and it’s another thing if we meant (MS?) and ensuring that we actually (MS?). So, the whole community has a role to play in looking at HIV as any other disease, and by now we are happy. We know we cannot get HIV through casual contact, so this is a message I bring for the table this afternoon, particular for the Asian region, we have to move very, very quickly because we cannot afford to wait to see the same levels of the epidemic like what we have in Africa. And I’m also concerned about the level of resources that are available to respond to the epidemic in many countries of Asia. And Mr. Piot has mentioned political commitment is yet to be realized, yet you can’t really (MS?) commitment but that this translates into (MS?). We cannot afford to fight our enemies of the side of HIV with (MS?). You know, we need real big money and this money needs to be invested in activities, which we know have added value in addressing the epidemic. And for my friends living with HIV, we need genuine help, you know. (MS?) the last -- for the two years ago, but when I did, my health was failing me and I’m sure if I did accept medication then, I may not have been here talking to you this afternoon. So, my friends living with HIV in Asia and other parts of the world also need genuine help. I’m not saying we are better than Africa, but we can do everything with time, but at some point one, you know, the (MS?) some of them needs medication. So, we’re talking about an integrated approach. And another people issue, which we are here at DP is addressing as a co-sponsor of GNA, is the issue of (MS?) and getting leadership to drive the response to the epidemic. We cannot sit and wait for declarations to be made today and tomorrow and at the end of the day (MS?). Let us come back and tell us what are the results that have been achieved.

This is my brief comment (MS?). I’m sure people come with interventions. Thank you very much.

KATAN: Thank you. Thank you so much. Gina, you have a microphone?

GINA: Yes, good afternoon, everyone. Once again, I’m Gina (MS?) and (MS?) from the Philippines. I just wanted to give you some situation in the Asia/Pacific because of -- in some conferences it seems that Asia/Pacific has been left out. And HIV/AIDS in Asia has been coming and until 1980, no country in the region had experienced a major epidemic until 1999. Only Cambodia and (MS?) in Thailand had (MS?) significant nationwide epidemic. The situation is rapidly changing. In 2001 alone, 1.7 million adults and children were infected with HIV with only a nation of 150. We are 6.6 million, (MS?) people living with HIV/AIDS in this region. Of particular concern toward the (MP?) is one of the world’s most populated countries. Local prevalence -- local/national prevalence can however be misleading. (MS?) epidemic that our nation needs to concentrate (MS?) for among specific operation groups, but three-tenths are still over in the nation’s -- in the wider population. Nationwide prevalence in (MS?) has been put at 2%. Yet, national HIV rates are 5% or 6% are being registered among sect worker and injecting drug users. Moreover, the vastly populated populous countries, such as China, India, Indonesia where individual provinces or states often have more inhabitants than most countries. Prevalence -- national prevalence all but with this many -- even as the prevalence rates are slowed to 1% or 2% across the Asia/Pacific, which is the home of about 60% of the world’s population. We cross the number of people living with HIV/AIDS before. Why people living with HIV/AIDS (MS?)? The greater bulk of people living with HIV/AIDS is important in combating the epidemic. We are the ones who can reach those who are (MS?), and we are the ones that can talk to those who are afraid of coming out to (MS?) people for counseling and help. Training people living with HIV/AIDS as counselors is definitely the thing. It gives us opportunity to do work through educators and working with HIV/AIDS profession and care. It gives us employable skills, which we can use to make an income, to be productive and be proud of our work and ourselves. It allows us to care for ourselves and others who need our care. HIV/AIDS (MS?) AIDS, because we feel that they -- we give a face to the epidemic and we are the ones who know about HIV/AIDS on a first-hand basis. But to be effective in our programs, the right policies have to be put in place. For example, in the Philippines, we have the law that protects the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS, but it has never been implemented. This is because for people living with HIV/AIDS, who want to file a case, there is no system in place for (MS?) and how we can file a case. How can we do this? Furthermore, confidentiality is never assured. There are only a few other issues. I can tell you that with all the people living with HIV/AIDS in my country is what –- is what encouraged me to get tested. Then, I learned that I had been exposed to HIV. I have seen people living with HIV/AIDS bravely face the media and tell that they are infected with HIV. (MS?) diagnoses with HIV. With the help of (MS?), who respected my anonymity, I met in secret with a person living with HIV I’d seen on TV. Then, (MS?) and went on to do the same kind of peer counseling that I had received and met a lot of people living with HIV. I have taken the responsibility from (MS?), which led me to attend conferences and share experiences with fellow HIV-positive friends across Asia/Pacific. And this runs from Asia/Pacific network of people living with HIV/AIDS. They are a great influence and empower other people living with HIV/AIDS, but it is hard work. The (MS?) need to recruit new members to replace those of us who get too tired to continue the work and who die. We need -- we need to give these new members skills. This is difficult with financial stability, short of funding and lack of abilities of new funding for capacity building. Many of us end up working as volunteers.

The chief principles contained in the first AIDS Summit Declaration of 1994 has become a cornerstone of local and national and international HIV/AIDS programs and policies in most -- in most countries, and others have yet to earn their place at the decision-making table.

[CUT IN AUDIO]

[QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION]

MILLY KATANA: -- Unfortunate that we have so many drugs that affect (MS?). I know there are some drugs and this is as the result of a desperate attempt by some of us to get help to our friends. I’m carrying some drugs here. Some (MS?) happy because I know of a friend who has had this for a long time (MS?) -- it’s a desperate attempt. So, if they say we are getting drugs, I’m one of them and I give them to people. But I wouldn’t like to do that if we had a better (MS?) of doing it. So, but we are careful. Some of us who have been involved in the movement of People Living with HIV, we go to doctors who prescribe the drugs in the right dosage to our friends. We don’t do it, you know, in our bedrooms and in our villages. And we are not saying that India is doing so badly, but the issue is, there is a very big problem and what we would like to see is going to scale through the commitment of the different political and government structures (MS?), which cannot afford to go on the small NGO efforts and (MS?) one woman. I mean it won’t work.

KATAN: Okay, so this person over here and then over there on the green. No, you can’t take that one. Why is there no microphone that we can carry around?

MILLY KATANA: (MS?) on development of publication. We just got a publication here from the Global Fund and did a calculation on -- based on something like what Peter said. GNP, their contribution -- the OACD countries (MS?)-- So they have the global induction. And many (MS?), according to their conclusions, include that against the government’s commitment to point out seven of (MS?). And it’s -- I mean you can have a copy. It’s absolutely -- you can see the (MS?). The money’s not really calculated and you can see the physician suffix of how much contributions they, the (MS?) in the fund. And my question is, we have (MS?). The (MS?) have noticed a change and U.N. talking about access to treatment. You talk about people living with AIDS, their human rights and access to treatment, which you talk about as a human right. We have seen a change in attitude of UNA agencies, but see still donors are shy about getting involved in treatment programs, and, in fact, still some of them are (MS?), well, it’s cost-effective treatment, they’re still going on. (MS?).

KATAN: Is there one more?

NANETTE: Yeah, good afternoon. I’m Nanette from the Philippines. My question actually is directed to Milly because she’s related to the Global Fund. Now, it is said that countries have to pass through or should have a country coordinated, a connectivity in order to pass a proposal for possible funding. Now, related to what -- I forgot your name, sir. I’m sorry. You mentioned a while ago that funding specifically to NGOs for people living with HIV and AIDS should be warned that they need to take a look into or address. Now, related to the Global Fund, is it possible the GNC or Bead networks of People Living with HIV/AIDS, the ATN, the ICW, could pass a proposal not necessarily going through the coordinated country mechanism, so that they have a direct access to the fund. That is one question that I would want to clear or to ask, so that we really need a push-through (MS?) in more states or global programs for HIV and AIDS, which is being implemented by people living with HIV and AIDS.

The next one is also related to the Global Fund. Recently, the Global Fund allocated money to those countries who qualified for funding. Now, you said that Asia needs to move very fast, so that we could avoid an epidemic like Africa. Now, Asian countries like us, in particular the Philippines, have a low and slow prevalence in rates of their need. Now, how do we come up with a mechanism so that low and low prevalence countries could have an equitable access to the Fund, so that they can maintain the low and slow, and eventually having a spot to increasing the epidemic or maintaining the low and slow epidemic at that rate? So, those are just the two questions that I have.

MILLY KATANA: Okay, thank you very much. I have many lives. That’s what age brought up on me. (MS?) and the involvement of (MS?) and NGOs. The first part of proposals was open to NGOs and civil defense organizations. As long as there were no special countries coordinating mechanism and the reason would be if they are working on issues that are illegal in a particular country. If there is no country coordinating mechanism in that country, or if they’re working on a cross-border issue, you know, across many countries. But we got some proposals in this way and some of them were funded because they were really good, but others, which were not good, were (MS?) for assignment. The second corporate proposal is out and we encourage people who have an organization to be part of this country coordinating mechanism and we would like to use the Global Fund as a breakthrough in building partnerships at country level between the people societies and other stakeholders.

Yes, we need direct funding, but nothing is coming from the Global Fund, because the Global Fund is not only -- is not the only mechanism through which we can get resources. The Global Fund was created to (MS?) additional resources, you know, for HIV/AIDS programs. But we know there are problems (MS?) for getting NGOs (MS?) organizations involved, that all of us, especially you the media, have a big role to help us. I live in Tampala. I can do as much as I can for NGOs in India or Jakarta, but you are there. Please let’s work together on this.

KATAN: Okay. Thank you very much. So now, we have to finish because the --it’s -- the next thing (MS?) -- is banging on the door. So, thank you so much, Peter, Abraham, Milly and Gina for coming, and thank everybody for coming, too. Bye.