| Date | 5 December 2006 |
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Agenda item 46
Follow-up to the outcome of the twenty-sixth special session: implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS
Draft decision (A/61/L.40)
The Acting President
The Assembly will now take action on draft decision A/61/L.40, entitled "International Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing Day".
I should like to announce that, since the introduction of draft decision A/61/L.40, the following countries have become sponsors of the draft: Barbados, Cambodia, Comoros, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Grenada, Honduras, Israel, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Uganda and Viet Nam.
May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft decision A/61/L.40?
The Acting President
I shall now give the floor to those representatives wishing to make statements in explanation of position on the decision just adopted.
May I remind delegations that explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Tarragô (Brazil)
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the member States of MERCOSUR, namely Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and Brazil, and the associated States Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
I am taking the floor to make a statement in explanation of position on behalf of MERCOSUR and associated States following the adoption of draft decision A/61/L.40, entitled "International Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing Day".
MERCOSUR and associated States believe that combating HIV/AIDS requires broad-based and coordinated policies aimed at attaining, by 2010, universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support. In that regard, MERCOSUR and associated States promote regular voluntary testing campaigns, in accordance with their respective public programmes, epidemiological status and specific needs.
I should like to thank the main sponsor of the draft for having promoted discussion on voluntary counselling and testing, although we would have welcomed the submission of this important document to all States Members of the United Nations for open consultations. We are of the view that the decision just adopted provides us with an important opportunity to engage in a discussion on national counselling and testing strategies. Such strategies must encompass full respect for the human rights of the individuals undergoing testing and must be integrated into plans to combat the stigmatization and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, with a particular focus on stigmatized vulnerable groups, such as sexual minority groups.
In addition, States must ensure confidentiality with respect to test results so as to prevent discrimination. MERCOSUR and associated States believe that every effort should be made to ensure that people do not confuse testing with prevention and to make it clear that a negative HIV/AIDS status is not permanent. Moreover, the success of national voluntary testing campaigns will be gauged on the basis of countries' ability to guarantee persons living with HIV/AIDS universal access to treatment and to medication.
The national programmes of MERCOSUR and associated States are based on a policy of providing universal treatment and of ensuring access to medicines to all those who require them.
MERCOSUR and associated States joined the consensus on the draft decision on the understanding that countries have total flexibility in implementing their respective voluntary counselling and testing strategies in the framework of their national policies and action plans, including, as appropriate, the choice of whether or not to designate an International Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing Day in 2007, as well as the manner in which to observe it.
MERCOSUR and associated States consider that this decision anticipates the debate on agenda item 46, scheduled for the first half of 2007, at which time the issue of voluntary counselling and testing will be considered comprehensively and in depth, with the participation of all States Members of the United Nations.
Mrs. Ghanashyam (India)
I take the floor to explain India's position following the adoption of decision A/61/L.40, entitled "International Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing Day".
My delegation has joined the consensus on the adoption of the draft decision on International Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing Day. It is our understanding that, in calling on Member States, the decision leaves the option open to each Member State whether or not to designate a Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing Day in 2007.
Ms. Davies (Australia)
We are delivering this statement also on behalf of Canada, Japan and Norway.
We wish to note that our interpretation of the decision just adopted is that it invites Member States to consider designating a voluntary HIV/AIDS counselling and testing day, consistent with appropriate national HIV/AIDS strategies. We remain committed to a comprehensive HIV response and to supporting countries in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The Acting President
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 46.
