G8 countries should keep their promises on HIV/AIDS, TUC tells Canadian High Commissioner

HIV-AIDS

G8 countries should keep their promises

March 2010

The TUC is joining in a worldwide campaign led by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) to persuade the G8/G20 summits this year (the June summits are in Canada) to meet their promises on HIV/AIDS in developing countries. In a letter to the Canadian High Commissioner in London (see below), the TUC echoes points made by African and other trade union movements which are being made during a week of action (21-27 March - ahead of the G8 Foreign Ministers' meeting this weekend) to Canadian High Commissions and Embassies across the world. This week of action will launch a month of campaigning leading up to the G8 Development Ministers' meeting at the end of April. The TUC is also urging people to join an online Canadian union action petitioning the Canadian government (NB, when filling in the online action, DO enter your postcode even if you're not from Canada or you won't be able to add your name to the petition). For more information, visit the CLC website.

TUC letter

HE Mr James R Wright
High Commissioner for Canada
Canadian High Commission
McDonald House
1 Grosvenor Square
London W1K 4AB

Dear High Commissioner

G8/G20 Summits and Universal Access to HIV-AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support - June 25-27, Ontario, Canada

I write to urge the Government of Canada to take the lead in persuading other G8 nations to put forward an action plan to fulfil their promises regarding Universal Access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support and to ensure that economic recovery strategies in G20 countries recognize the serious financial consequences of HIV-AIDS, particularly, when aggravated by other crises affecting their economies.

We note the close linkages between AIDS, poverty, employment and incomes and call upon the participants in the Summits to recognize Decent Work and the ILO Jobs Pact as key elements in programmes designed to achieve universal access to HIV and AIDS-related services.

Although more than 5,000 people die each day of AIDS-related illnesses, efforts to expand universal access remain underfunded with the shortfalls made worse by the current global economic crisis. Disruption in supply of essential medicines, deferred treatment and delays in scaling-up of prevention programs all have contributed to making the current situation even more precarious. That is why more resources are needed including the ongoing replenishment of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Globally, approximately 33.4 million people currently live with HIV. In 2008 alone, 2.7 million people were newly-infected with HIV, and AIDS-related illnesses claimed the lives of over 2 million people. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most heavily-affected region, accounting for 67 per cent of all people living with HIV and 72 per cent of deaths due to AIDS.

The TUC and its affiliates and our civil society partners firmly believe that universal access to HIV and AIDS-related services and stronger health systems are critical to the removal of barriers to economic progress and that the ability to build a vibrant sustainable economy depends largely on the success of the measures taken to halt and reverse the spread of HIV infection and its manifold consequences.

I should be grateful if you would convey to the Government of Canada our views and concerns and look forward to hearing from you on your action in this regard as well as on the initiatives by your Government to promote the above issues at the Summits.

Yours sincerely

BRENDAN BARBER

General Secretary