Member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) unanimously adopted the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS at the CIS’s recent Health Council meeting in Minsk, Belarus. The declaration will serve as the foundation to fast-track programmes and activities in response to the AIDS epidemic in the CIS region.
According to UNAIDS estimates, 1.1 million people were living with HIV in eastern Europe and central Asia in 2013, mostly in the CIS region. While in other parts of the world the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths is declining, they are increasing in the CIS.
CIS member states have agreed to work together and with civil society in order to ensure access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services. They will also intensify their efforts to reach key populations at higher risk of HIV infection.
"I am very pleased this important declaration on the CIS commitment to AIDS is being unanimously adopted under the chairmanship of Belarus. I am confident that together we will work to scale up life-saving services for HIV prevention and treatment and ensure zero discrimination.”
Vasily Zharko, Minister of Health of Belarus, Chairperson of the Health Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States
"The CIS countries have all the elements to fast-track their HIV responses to end the AIDS epidemic. This declaration is a milestone to close the gap across the CIS and for a close partnership between government, civil society and international organizations such as the CIS and UNAIDS.”
Vinay Saldanha, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia
