Statements and Webcast
Trinidad and Tobago
H. E. Mr. Rodger Samuel, Minister of State
10 June 2011
- Statement: English (Check against delivery)
Statement Summary
RODGER SAMUEL, Minister of State of Trinidad and Tobago, aligning with the statement made on behalf of CARICOM, said the adoption of resolutions, treaties and agreements on any subject was useless if there was no commitment to implementing the intentions of those instruments. As a result of the High-level Meeting, the international community must asses the effectiveness of agreed measures and devise new means to achieve the objectives. Within its limited resources, his Government was doing its part to bring relief to those living with HIV/AIDS and to curb the spread of the disease. In that regard, he stressed that Trinidad and Tobago was leading an active campaign in the fight; its efforts aimed to ensure universal access to treatment, care and support and to insulate future generations from the threat.
Outlining his country鈥檚 national response, he noted the development of national strategic plans, which coordinated activities to keep the disease from spreading. An 鈥渆limination objective鈥� had been adopted to eradicate transmission of HIV from mother to child by 2015. In his country, awareness of the modes of HIV transmission had increased to 77 per cent of the general population. Fifty-two faith-based and civil society organizations had been funded to develop education and counselling programmes in local communities. At the same time, the Government provided free antiretroviral drugs who needed it. Underscoring his country鈥檚 commitment to remaining engaged at the international level, he said 鈥淭he moment has come to renew our commitment and intensify our efforts in the fight against the global pandemic鈥�. In that regard, Trinidad and Tobago agreed with the adage that 鈥淗IV is everyone鈥檚 business鈥�, and believed it was time to 鈥済et down to it鈥�.
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