XN000022-1995-02-15 — Page 67

(b)

૯

-

45

The conference also provided an excellent opportunity for participants to make official contacts with international organisations (including the World Health Organisation, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program) and delegates from other countries, thus facilitating networking and co-ordination of efforts in confronting the AIDS problem. It enabled Hong Kong to keep abreast with current developments in AIDS programmes on the international scene.

The Conference also enabled us to share experience with other countries. Reference has been made to the information collected during the conference in the design of AIDS education and care programmes in Hong Kong.

The AIDS Summit was conceived by the French Government and held on 1 December 1994 in Paris. Its goal was to heighten political commitment in HIV affected countries with the expectation that this would lead to greater efforts to curb the spread of HIV and assist those affected. Heads of Government from about 42 countries were invited Hong Kong was not invited to participate in the event.

(c) The government in general supports participation in international AIDS conferences as it is important to keep Hong Kong in the forefront of advances in this fast-moving field. The choice of conference and the selection of participants, however, are made after careful consideration of the benefits that could be derived from such an attendance.

Effective AIDS control calls for co-ordinated international efforts and Hong Kong actively participates in such work. Over the past few years, Hong Kong has taken part in meetings that have brought together officials and representatives from different countries to discuss and exchange views on matters of common concern. The type of collaborative work generated has included scientific research, public health programmes and policy development. In fact, Hong Kong has just participated in the International Consultation for Policy-makers on Women & AIDS in Geneva in preparation for the Beijing Conference later this year.

End/Wednesday, February 15, 1995