Australian support for the fight against HIV

World AIDS Day 2009 will see further cooperation between Australia and Indonesia in our important work to fight HIV.

In keeping with the 2009 ‘Universal Access and Human Rights’ theme, Australia is supporting a symposium bringing together some of Indonesia’s top business leaders.

Business in Indonesia plays an important role to ensure people affected by HIV have the opportunity to achieve their goals, through access to ongoing employment and a safe and accepting work environment.

Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, will be a keynote speaker at tomorrow’s symposium.

“Australia and Indonesia work in close partnership to improve the lives of those affected by HIV,” Mr Farmer said. “Like everyone else, people with HIV have a right to achieve their potential and to live and work free from stigma and discrimination.”

“Indonesian business leaders can play a key role in making this happen – with the added benefit of helping curb the economic impact of the virus.”

Australia has been supporting Indonesia’s response to HIV for more than 12 years. We have committed up to A$100 million to combat the spread of HIV in Indonesia and improve quality of life for those living with the virus.

This will assist Indonesia’s efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goal to halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV by 2015.

In addition to this, the Australian Government today announced a three-year, A$1.5 million commitment to address HIV transmission among men who have sex with men in Indonesia.

More than 200,000 people in Indonesia are estimated to have HIV, one of the fastest growing epidemics in Asia.

The HIV Symposium will be held tomorrow in Jakarta.

Media Enquiries:
Bram Marolop, AusAID Public Affairs, (021) 2550 5386 / 08111904823
Natasha Simpson, AusAID Public Affairs, (021) 2550 5568 / 08121069106