The United Nations Development Program (UNPD) called here Tuesday for better measures to face AIDS.
A statement for UNPD Administrator Helen Clark, released by UNPD's regional branch in Kuwait, called for an effective HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and support.
"Data released by UNAIDS this week in its 2009 AIDS Epidemic Update suggests that new HIV infections around the world have been reduced by 17 percent since the 2001 signature of the United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS," said Clark.
Over the past five years, there had also been significant successes in increasing access to life saving treatment, with over four million people in developing countries now accessing necessary medication and approximately 2.9 million lives already saved, stated the official.
She pointed out that the most significant successes in the response to HIV/AIDS have used human rights based programming to translate good public health practice and scientific innovation into real results for people and communities.
"This has facilitated the effective participation of marginalized and vulnerable populations in responses to the epidemic, and has driven the global campaign to lower the prices of key drugs and prevention technologies." "Unfortunately, success is uneven across regions, countries, and populations. Far too often, prevention programs are still not reaching those most in need. For every two people put on treatment, five are newly infected. Too little is being done in too many places to empower girls and women. Stigmatizing homosexuals and refusing to provide harm reduction services for drug users also sets back prevention and treatment work," she said.
As well, the economic crisis of 2009 has resulted in cuts to treatment programmes which have been keeping people alive, saving children from being orphaned, and keeping workforces productive and vibrant.
UNDP also supported the wider UN system's co-ordinated response to the epidemic and organizes the annual 'Red Ribbon Awards' on behalf of UNAIDS to honor and support communities at the frontline of the response to the epidemic.
"With just six years left to reach the 2015 target date for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, we have learned that effective action on HIV/AIDS is essential to the human rights based and broader development agenda. UNDP is committed to supporting countries and communities in these efforts," she concluded.