CANBERRA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government on Thursday announced a new program that will support Pacific nations to manage increasing rates of HIV infections.
Under the 48 million Australian dollar (31.3 million U.S. dollar) program, Australia will provide funding to assist Pacific governments to contain the spread of HIV.
Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong said in a joint statement with Pat Conroy, the minister for Pacific Island affairs, and International Development Minister Anne Aly that the support will include technical assistance, disease surveillance and investment in public health responses.
"We are partnering with the Pacific to tackle the growing public health threat of HIV, including by sharing Australian knowledge and expertise and investing in community-led responses," Wong said.
The establishment of the new program was announced ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 and the ministers on Thursday reaffirmed Australia's support to ending the global AIDS epidemic by 2030.
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS said in a report released on Tuesday that the global response to HIV has suffered its most significant setback in decades as a result of reduced international funding and a lack of global solidarity. ■
