Business and Labour Responds to HIV/AIDS in Asia

The International Labor Organisation (ILO) has identified HIV/AIDS as a  major threat to enterprise and the workplace. The business community must play a role in implementing sound workplace policies, raising public awareness on HIVAIDS, mobilizing political commitment, and contributing resources to the national response.

In this context, a conference on business and labour responses to HIV/AIDS is being held on 18-19 September 2001 in Bangkok. The conference is being organized by the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with ESCAP, ILO, UNDCP and UNAIDS, and the Asian Business Coalition on AIDS.

The opening ceremony of the conference will be held on 18 September 2001 from 16:00-18:00 at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, River View Ballroom 5 and on 19 September the conference will be held in the United Nations Conference Center.

The conference conveners are pleased to invite all journalists to attend the opening ceremony from 16.00-18.00 at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel, River View Ballroom.

During the opening ceremony, Mr. Richard E. Hecklinger, Ambassador to Thailand, Embassy of the United States of America, Mr. Thapabutr Jamasevi, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Royal Thai Government and representatives of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ESCAP will say opening remarks. This will be followed by keynote presentations delivered by Mr. Franklyn Lisk, Director ILO Programme on HIV/AIDS and the World of Work, Switzerland, Mr. Bruce Kilmister, Representative, Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, New Zealand, and Johan Strydom, Manager, Personnel Services, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, South Africa.

The current HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia- Pacific is only the forerunner of a much more invasive and devastating crisis. ESCAP has estimated that 7.5 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in this region, most infected people infected are in the prime of their working lives. Furthermore, the Asia-Pacific region accounts for 60% population of the worlds so even relatively low HIV prevalence will translate into high numbers of people living with HIV/AIDS.

United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
United Nations Information Services, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 288-1234, Fax: 288-1052, E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org
Exclusive interview can be arranged upon request.  Please feel free to contact  Ms.Pensri Tasnavites , UNAIDS Media Advisor, Tel 02 2570300 ext 330 for any additional information and interview arrangement.

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