GNP+ on the second day of the 2011 World Health Assembly, was invited to make an address to the World Health Assembly. Please find below the complete statement.

The Global Network of People Living with HIV(GNP+), a network of and for people living with HIV from all over the world, welcomes this opportunity to address this World Health Assembly.

GNP+ commends the consultative and collaborative manner in which the WHO 2011-2015 Strategy was devised. In moving from consultation to action, GNP+ calls on the WHO and member states to continue to commit to strengthening the capacity of people living with HIV to meaningfully contribute to the realisation of these strategic goals. GNP+ endorses these goals and welcomes the opportunity to support the WHO and member states in facilitating its implementation.

Whilst we acknowledge the significant progress made by the WHO and member states in responding to HIV, we are also acutely aware of the equally significant unmet needs of people living with and most affected by HIV. This strategy suggests steps to meet these needs. This is to be welcomed. Let us make sure that all are able to take part in the journey – a journey that shows commitment to concentrating our efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for all people living with HIV by 2015.

GNP+ also welcomes the specific focus on human rights and equity as highlighted in Strategic Direction 4. In this regard, GNP+ calls on the WHO and member states to closely align responses to the demonstrated needs of key affected communities and to renew efforts to working with those communities so that barriers to accessing HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services are removed.

GNP+ applauds the commitment to revolutionize HIV prevention as outlined in Strategic Direction 1. In this regard, we highlight, with cautious optimism the results from the HPTN 052 trial, which gives the promise of the end of AIDS. We call on the WHO to review these results and work with others to issue the appropriate and timely recommendations for country action. Now, more than ever, people living with HIV have to be seen to be important partners in the prevention of HIV transmission.

Lastly, the benefits from treatment and other health interventions will not be achieved in an environment of stigma and marginalization. Health care settings can be the place where PLHIV are supported and helped to take control of their diagnosis, to be active partners in their own care and the care of others; all too often they are not . In realizing Strategic Direction 3; the building of strong and sustainable health systems, GNP+ calls on the WHO to promote zero tolerance to discrimination and stigma, to support PLHIV organisations to be active partners in working towards the elimination of HIV- related human rights violations in health care and community settings.

Thank you.