Message from Ms. Anne Kristin Sydnes, Minister of International Development, Norway

Power of Life: AIDS Concert

Mae Sai, Thailand, Friday 17 August 2001

Delivered by Mr. Anders Eide
Chargé d’Affaires, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Bangkok

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a privilege to be invited to Mae Sai to enjoy this evening of great music from around the world - from Thailand, South Africa, Brazil and Norway. On behalf of the Norwegian Ambassador to Thailand I would like to deliver a message from the Norwegian Minister of International Development, Ms. Anne Kristin Sydnes:

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Dear friends,

Thailand and Norway are geographically very far apart. Yet, in today’s globalized world our two countries are facing many of the same challenges. One of these is the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

An estimated 36 million people are now living with HIV/AIDS worldwide. HIV/AIDS has become a global problem. In some corners of the world, AIDS is a developmental catastrophe. It calls for a global response. And global solidarity.

Thailand has made great progress in its fight against this deadly disease, not least because of the commitment and sustained efforts of the organizations and individuals present here in Mae Sai tonight. When UN agencies talk about HIV prevention in South East Asia and elsewhere, they are now referring to Thailand as an example of best practices.

Still, much remains to be done. Although the number of new HIV infections in this country has been reduced to one seventh of what it was 10 years ago, more than 20.000 Thais are expected to become infected by the HIV virus this year.

In many of Thailand’s neighboring countries infection rates are rapidly increasing. Poverty, economic upheavals, social and economic change, migration, injecting drug use and booming prostitution – all these factors are making the peoples of this region vulnerable to HIV.

The fight against AIDS must continue – probably for decades to come. We must continue to give young people – one of the groups most vulnerable to HIV – the tools and life skills to protect themselves. We must empower women – especially young girls - so that they can truly protect themselves. And we must increase efforts to make men behave more responsibly.

Every one of us must try to overcome our natural shyness when talking about sex and condoms, both in public and to young people. As Thailand has so successfully done, we must break down the walls of silence and denial.

Fighting HIV/AIDS also means putting an end to the abuse, discrimination and stigmatization of vulnerable groups such as prostitutes, injecting drug users and men who have sex with men. To people who are infected - and affected - by AIDS, we must offer partnership. Not social exclusion.

By including a person living with HIV in its national AIDS Committee, Thailand has again shown the way, for others to follow.

No government can deal with the challenges of this epidemic alone. Present here tonight are representatives of Thai and Norwegian civil society, the private sector and government bodies who have entered into partnership in order to deal effectively with the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS in Thailand. Partnerships like this are sorely needed.

HIV/AIDS calls for alliances across political and religious divides, across sectors, borders and cultures in all regions of the world.

This concert is part of a series of events that have been funded by Norway in order to use music as a tool - or as an instrument - to raise awareness and mobilize individuals and groups in the struggle against HIV/AIDS. In the near future similar concerts will take place in different corners of the world, in close cooperation with local stakeholders.

These are timely events, indeed. In cross-border and cross-cultural communication on sensitive issues, there are no better vehicles than arts and cultural expressions.

I wish you an enjoyable concert and every success in the battle against HIV/AIDS.

Thank you – and God bless.