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Australasia launches 6-year program against AIDS |
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July 27, 2000
BANGKOK (AP) - Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced the launch Wednesday of a six-year, dlrs 200 million international program to battle HIV/AIDS. Speaking ahead of the ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia's largest security conference, Downer noted predictions that AIDS threatens to reduce or even reverse Asia's economic growth. "I don't think the Asia-Pacific region can turn its back on this devastating problem," Downer told a news conference. Most of the dlrs 200 million will be targeted at countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Downer said, and Canberra expects to work closely with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Much of the funding remains uncommitted, but some will augment existing programs in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, Australia's immediate northern neighbors. Last year, 34 million people were afflicted with HIV/AIDS worldwide, including 5.4 million new cases, and since the disease strikes people in their most productive years can devastate economies, Downer said. ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. |