February 24-26, 2009 | Kathmandu, Nepal

Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) organized a Parliamentary Seminar on HIV policy in Kathmandu, Nepal, February 24 - 26, 2009. The seminar brought together 100 participants, including parliamentary delegations from Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Uganda, along with representatives from the UN system - IOM, OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNFPA and UNICEF - the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia and the National HIV/AIDS and STI Control Board of Nepal.

During the Inaugural Session on Feb. 24th, the Prime Minister of Nepal, Hon Pushpa Kamal Dahal, gave the key note address in which he drew attention to the linkages between HIV, migration and the need to ensure the protection of human rights. PGA President, Sen Bassey Ewa-Henshaw delivered the welcome address and the opening address was given by the Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly of Nepal, Hon Subash Chandra Nembang, in which he reinforced the need for political leadership and the significant role that parliamentarians have to play in combating the HIV pandemic.

In addition to the introductory speeches, UNAIDS took the opportunity at this important event to launch the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia report in Nepal. The Commission pointed out that prevention must be the priority for action and that the existence of concentrated epidemics should not be allowed to create a fall sense of security amongst the population at large.

Some overall topics addressed in the 2 day seminar includes:

• HIV in Nepal and the Global Context
• The Need for Political and Parliamentary Leadership
• The Economic and Development Challenges of HIV - Prevention Strategies for Most-At-Risk Groups and Vulnerable Groups
• A Multi-sectoral Approach to the Pandemic
• Building on the Colombo Declaration

This initiative was made possible by the support of UNFPA, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and UNAIDS, with the core support of Denmark and Sweden.