Summary: July 17, 2000: Statement by Mr. Pascal Teixera Da Silva, Political Adviser, on behalf of the European Union. HIV/Aids and International Peacekeeping Operations (New York)
I have the honor of speaking on behalf of the European Union. The Central and Eastern countries associated with the European Union - Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia - and the associated countries Cyprus, Malta and Turkey align themselves with this statement.
The debate today follows up the Security Council meeting of 10 January 2000, which was devoted to the impact of AIDS on peace and security in Africa and was presided over by the Vice-President of the United States, Mr. Al Gore. That meeting was a major event which the Security Council had the obligation to follow up.
AIDS has special characteristics which has made this human and medical tragedy also one of the major causes of economic and social decline that the developing world has had to confront for decades. The pandemic's impact is particularly unacceptable in these countries, where decades of effort and progress have been wiped out, as borne out by the brutal drop in life expectancy in certain African countries to early levels of the 1970s.
AIDS is a massive killer. It caused 10 times more deaths last year than did all the conflicts on that continent, and by leading to the disappearance of trained and qualified staff it destabilizes entire sectors of society: education, health, the productive sector and security.
Finally, it is clear that conflicts that topple the structure of social organization and destroy infrastructures, particularly health and medical infrastructures, are, unfortunately, propitious for the propagation of the pandemic. In addition, there is the sexual violence committed by the combatants themselves that directly contributes to the spread of the disease. We must therefore promote the mobilization and coordination of all bodies concerned. Each should play its role in the light of the
nature of the problems and the stakes involved.
The efforts of all are necessary. I believe we must once again underscore the importance of the action undertaken by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and its Executive Director, Dr. Peter Piot, whom we wish to thank for having come before the Council and for describing the efforts undertaken since last January. The 34.3 million individuals infected throughout the world, of whom 24.5 million are in Africa, mean many imminent deaths and the threat of a human tragedy
unprecedented in recent history, if we do not find solutions quickly. Mobilization is progressing, fortunately, and the European Union welcomes the convening of the Thirteenth International Conference on AIDS in Durban, in an African land so harshly ravaged by the disease.
The Council has met again today to adopt a resolution. The text focuses on the question of the impact of the pandemic on peacekeeping operations and on the health of civilian and military personnel who participate in these operations. This draft resolution demonstrates that the Security Council is endeavoring to see that the health of these personnel and their families is protected. It also calls for the development of preventive measures for the disease in the context of United Nations
operations.
Peacekeeping operations personnel are, as others, subjected to the risk of exposure to AIDS, whether it is a question of operational personnel, particularly military personnel, or the of the medical or dental support staff that provide their care. The European Union welcomes the adoption of this resolution, which shows that the Security Council is endeavoring, within its area of competence, to take account of this grave situation. No effort can be overlooked in waging this difficult yet
necessary struggle against AIDS.
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