The General Assembly, in 1988, stated its deep concern about the pandemic proportions of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).  Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) had declared 1 December 1988 World AIDS Day and the Assembly stressed the importance of observing that occasion.

The World AIDS Day is not a day for celebration; it is a day that calls for breaking the silence and raising awareness around the disease and believing that the response to it requires the efforts of every individual and community. 

In spite of the countries’ commitment to meet the Millennium Development Goal of halting the spread and beginning to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by the year 2015, the epidemic continues to grow, especially among women and youth.  It is estimated that in 2006 it had risen to around 39.5 million.

In Jordan and until today, the total reported cases have reached 468 including non-Jordanians, although the actual estimated number by the Ministry of Health is expected to be higher.  But as low prevalence does not mean that Jordanians are safe, the Government of Jordan, through the Ministry of Health, has and is still taking pro-active efforts to limit the spread of the disease not only among the general population, but also among all vulnerable sub-populations.

To realize its vision and ambition, the Ministry of Health has developed recently a national strategy that will strengthen its capacity and improve its response to HIV/AIDS.

Under the “Together towards HIV prevention, treatment and care for all” the theme of this year, the national strategy will be launched officially under the patronage of H.R.H. Princess Mona Al Hussein next Wednesday, 29 November 2006 in an official event.  The event is organized in cooperation with the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and USAID, all of whom have worked closely with the government of Jordan to support the formulation of the strategy.

The event will include statements by the organizers of the event and presentations by three key NGOs who will present their organizations’ roles and activities in relation to the HIV/AIDS.  In addition, and in coordination with UNICEF and the Higher Youth Council a group of youth will perform a role play on HIV/AIDS.

UNAIDS is the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, it brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organizations to the global AIDS response.

Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank.  Based in Geneva, the UNAIDS secretariat works on the ground in more than 75 countries world wide including Jordan.