Vienna, Austria - July 22, 2010 - The International Indigenous Working Group on HIV and AIDS hosted a pre-conference on July 17th & 18th to strategize and plan for the future. The meeting was attended by Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders from Australia, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico, New Zealand, and the United States. The working group will promote the visibility of Indigenous Peoples' HIV and AIDS issues by increasing support for capacity development for Indigenous Peoples, and building partnerships with Indigenous and National governments to support Indigenous specific prevention on all levels.

As well, Indigenous People continue to fall behind in receiving universal access to prevention, care, treatment and support; a goal set by world leaders for AIDS 2010. HIV and AIDS hits hardest in areas where structural, economic and development challenges are greatest and it is especially evident within the Indigenous populations. The Vienna pre-conference has provided an opportunity to support knowledge exchange of cultural projects and programs within Indigenous communities throughout the world. The working group will take the lead with Indigenous peoples to ensure that their voices are heard on HIV and AIDS issues globally.

Too often at International AIDS conferences, Indigenous Peoples have been left out of the general meetings and are relegated to pre-conference sessions. "Indigenous Peoples experience higher rates of HIV and AIDS and this needs to be addressed within the overall conference and not just at the fringes.'" said Ken Clement, Chair of the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV and AIDS (IIWGHA).

"We will continue the momentum started at previous meetings - Toronto (2006), Mexico (2008), Ottawa (2009) and here in Vienna - to ensure that Indigenous HIV and AIDS issues are included in the agenda at future international forums. This has to happen as a matter of urgency if we are to reverse the alarming trends of HIV amongst Indigenous Peoples", Mr. Clement urged.

The working group met with Canada's Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq in Vienna, to provide her with a progress update, and encouraged her to engage other countries to follow Canada's lead in supporting Indigenous HIV and AIDS issues. The Minister acknowledged the challenges facing Indigenous peoples and provided insight on strategies to approach other governments for support.

The working group will collaborate with international, national and local communities towards a world without HIV so that we can ensure improved health and well being of Indigenous Peoples. "We call on the international community to support us!"


For more information, please contact

Clive Aspin
New Zealand

011614101444510

Ken Clement
Canada

1-888-285-2226

Robert Foley
United States

1-720-382-2244

Elisa Canqui Mollo
Bolivia