Actualidad

Ethiopian religious leaders call for ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030

11 de julio de 2014

The leaders of the major religious groups of Ethiopia announced their united stance to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 during a consultation meeting held on 10 July in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In a joint position paper, the religious leaders made a call to the Government of Ethiopia to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity and to advocate for the inclusion of a commitment on ending the AIDS epidemic in the post-2015 sustainable development agenda. They also pledged their personal commitment to actively engage in the country’s efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The event was jointly organized by the Ethiopian Interfaith Forum for Development Dialogue and Action and UNAIDS in collaboration with Christian Aid, Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid. It brought together more than 80 participants representing religious institutions, government ministries and civil society, including networks of people living with HIV and youth associations.

Citas

"Everyone should realize that HIV is not a finished agenda, hence we extend our call to the concerned body to incorporate it in the post-2015 framework."

Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church

"In a situation where AIDS is still direly affecting our society, it not becoming a separate priority area after 2015 will surely take its toll on developing countries like Ethiopia."

Sheikh Kiyar Mohammed, President of the Ethiopian Islamic Supreme Council

"AIDS is not over and any complacency will lead to resurgence"

Warren Naamara, UNAIDS Country Director

"It is very difficult to think about global development without the well-being of people."

Dereje Alemayehu, Executive Director Network of Networks of HIV Positives in Ethiopia (NEP+)