Mr. President,  Less than one year ago in this very hall world leaders at the Millennium Summit pledged to halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015. The convening of this Special Session is an important movement forward to achieve this commitment.

HIV/AIDS rates in the Caribbean are the highest in the world outside Sub-Saharan Africa. In the Caribbean, AIDS is the leading cause of death in the 15 - 44 age group, with an overall prevalence of approximately 2.11% among the adult population.

Although initiatives have increased nationally and regionally to reduce the rate of increase, HIV/AIDS continues to grow relentlessly. Current national plans and actions are not sufficient to deal with this disease. There is an urgent need for greater international assistance and support and involvement of all sectors, such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), civil society and the private sector if the fight to defeat this scourge is to be successful.

The disease is a major development problem. With the most economically active and productive population groups being the most affected by this epidemic, severe social and economic repercussions are inevitable. The financial and economic burdens are not the only disquieting aspects' of the impact of this disease. There are also concerns at the individual level such as the actual burden of the disease on victims and accompanying issues of discrimination and stigmatization.

Mr. President, in Trinidad and Tobago, the epidemic curve is on the rise. It is now estimated that 2.5 % of the sexually active population between the ages of 15 - 49 years are living with HIV/AIDS, a figure that could be twice as high given the high rate of under-reporting.

The number of females infected with HIV is greater than males in the age group 15-24. According to our national Surveillance Unit, the percentage of HIV infected women has increased from 0% in 1983 to 33% in 1990 and 45% in 1999.

Eighty two percent (82%) of all reported HIV infected women are within the age group 15-45 years. Since these women are of childbearing age, this scenario highlights the significant risk of mothers passing on the infection to their babies. Statistics have also indicated that at the end of 1999, 7% of the total number of reported HIV cases were paediatric cases.

With 50% of the new infections now occurring in our young people between 15-24 years and 70% of all HIV/AIDS cases falling between the age group 15-44, there is no doubt that if this trend continues, Trinidad and Tobago will be well on the way to an economic and social crisis. It is onerous on the country's resources and the economy is finding it difficult to sustain this heavy burden.

A macroeconomic study on the impact of HIV on key variables indicates that if the current rate of increase continues, by the year 2005 Trinidad and Tobago will experience a reduction in the following variables:

Gross Domestic Product -  4.2%
Savings -  10.3%
Investment - 15.6%

Mr. President, The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is extremely concerned about the possibility of this prediction becoming a reality and, even with limited resources, national efforts will continue to be pursued to better manage the prevention of HIV/AIDS and promote the care and support for the infected. Many programmes through information and education are aimed at prevention and are targeted at the vulnerable in the population.

AIDS awareness activities include training of over 6,000 health care workers. A national policy on the reduction of mother to child transmission has been implemented and is offered at most health facilities. Soon, a new policy on HIV/AIDS in the workplace which will protect the rights of infected persons will be introduced in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. President, will also be hosting the 10" International Conference for "People Living with HIV/AIDS" in October of this year. We are also participating in Phase II of the HIV/AIDS vaccine trials because a safe, affordable and accessible vaccine is the most effective measure for curtailing the advancement of this disease.
 
The Caribbean Task Force Strategic Initiative on HIV/AIDS proposes a holistic programme response to the epidemic. This regional approach will ensure integration of effort and effective use of resources as CARICOM countries have common objectives and similar implementation plans.

Assistance from the international community will boost this regional initiative.

Efforts are made to strengthen the infrastructure, both human and physical, to deal with the epidemic and give appropriate care to persons living with AIDS. But our capacity and resources simply do not allow us to fully achieve this goal. The Government of Trinidad and Tobago supports the call by the Secretary-General for a Global AIDS and Health Fund and strongly recommends that special consideration be given to countries with high incidence of HIV/AIDS like in the Caribbean region. The vulnerability of our small economies to threats like HIV/AIDS cannot be over emphasised.

With regard to accessing special funding arrangements, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is of the view that the Caribbean's premier financial institution, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), must be seen as an important stakeholder. It is important to partner with an institution which is familiar with the socio-cultural and economic environment and sensitive to the needs of CARICOM countries. In addition, the criteria for accessing funds should not be burdensome and bureaucratic and countries most in need should benefit.

Mr. President, at the end of 2000 it was estimated that nearly twenty-two million persons died from the disease and over thirty-six million were living with HIV or AIDS. There has to be a global war to arrest this crisis and the Declaration of Commitment to be adopted at this Special Session is crucial in this quest. The challenge of reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS must be pursued relentlessly so as not to bequeath this life threatening affliction to future generations.

I thank you.