During a visit to the Netherlands, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé underlined the importance of leaving no one behind in the response to AIDS. Mr Sidibé applauded the support the Netherlands provides in the global response to AIDS and said the country’s leadership would remain crucial to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.
During his visit, Mr Sidibé met the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, and joined civil society and parliamentarians for a panel discussion, which was co-moderated by Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau.
“Every hour, 30 more young people are infected with HIV. And most of them are young women or girls. They are often unable to insist on having safe sex, and are frequently the victims of sexual violence. Most people living with HIV live in middle-income countries, and we need to shift our focus from countries in need to people in need. What matters is ensuring that people who need access to information and treatment get it.”
Liliane Ploumen, Minister Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation
“The Netherlands has made a unique contribution to the global fight against AIDS. One element of its success is the pragmatic approach, focusing on key populations and those interventions that can make the biggest difference. Another is the collaboration between all who can make a difference—ranging from UNAIDS and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to the Dutch government, Dutch nongovernmental organizations and, maybe most importantly, civil society organizations representing and working with those affected. I hope that this valuable approach will continue in the future—making sure that no one is left behind.”
Princess Mabel of Orange-Nassau
“We can only bring an end to the AIDS epidemic by 2030 if we respect the rights and needs of key affected populations. Everyone has the right to a healthy life and should be able to access HIV prevention and life-saving treatment safe from discrimination, violence or stigmatization.”
Lambert Grijns, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and AIDS Ambassador for the Netherlands
“The Netherlands has always been very consistent in its HIV policy, with a strong focus on human rights and key populations, on gender and on the linkages with sexual and reproductive health. Key to this consistent approach has been the strong political support in Parliament.”
Marijke Wijnroks, Chief of Staff, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
“The Netherlands shows true leadership in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. The strength of its commitment in these areas will be more crucial than ever as we Fast-Track our response to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.”
Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS
“We now have a strong agenda for Dutch leadership in ending the AIDS epidemic for the coming years, which can only be done in partnership. We have agreed on the priorities: key populations, women and girls, middle-income countries and Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria replenishment.”
Ton Coenen, Executive Director of AIDS Fonds and STI AIDS Netherlands
