The guidelines for the sexual health response in Pacific island countries was launched by UNAIDS and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community in Suva, Fiji on 12 December. The President of Fiji, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the Deputy Secretary General for the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Cristelle Pratt and the UNAIDS Country Director for the Pacific, Tim Rwabuhemba participated in the launch. 

The Shared Agenda provides guidance for strengthening the regional HIV response by taking the disease out of isolation and integrating HIV with other sexual and reproductive health programmes. The guidelines were developed by regional governments along with civil society organizations and development partners and are a framework for setting priorities in the region for 2015 and beyond. The Health Ministers of 22 countries in the region had endorsed The Pacific Sexual Health and Well-Being Shared Agenda earlier this year.

The AIDS epidemic in the Pacific region has a low prevalence with fewer than 1000 people living with HIV in Fiji and less than 100 new HIV infections in 2013.

Quotes:

“Over the years the focus on HIV AIDS has drawn attention to other sexual health and well-being issues which prevent Pacific Islanders from achieving sexual reproductive health and ultimately impacts their potential to live healthy and productive lives.” Cristelle Pratt, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

“The shared agenda is a resource which will help guide the response to sexual health needs and priorities in the Pacific region for 2015 and beyond.”                                                                                                                                                                     Tim Rwabuhemba, UNAIDS Country Director for the Pacific

Link to the document: Shared Agenda