United Nations Security Council Resolution 1308 – HIV/AIDS and International Peacekeeping Operations
Resolution 1308 (2000)
The Security Council,
Deeply concerned by the extent of the HIV/AIDS pandemic worldwide, and bythe severity of the crisis in Africa in particular,
Recalling its meeting of 10 January 2000, on “The situation in Africa: theimpact of AIDS on peace and security in Africa”, taking note of the 5 July 2000report from UNAIDS (S/2000/657) which summarizes follow-up actions taken todate; and recalling further the letter of its President dated 31 January 2000 addressed to the President of the General Assembly (S/2000/75),
Emphasizing the important roles of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council in addressing HIV/AIDS,
Stressing the need for coordinated efforts of all relevant United Nations organizations to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic in line with their respective mandates and to assist, wherever possible, in global efforts against the pandemic,
Commending the efforts by UNAIDS to coordinate and intensify efforts toaddress HIV/AIDS in all appropriate forums,
Recognizing that the spread of HIV/AIDS can have a uniquely devastatingimpact on all sectors and levels of society,
Reaffirming the importance of a coordinated international response to theHIV/AIDS pandemic, given its possible growing impact on social instability andemergency situations,
Further recognizing that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is also exacerbated byconditions of violence and instability, which increase the risk of exposure to the disease through large movements of people, widespread uncertainty over conditions,and reduced access to medical care,Stressing that the HIV/AIDS pandemic, if unchecked, may pose a risk tostability and security,
Recognizing the need to incorporate HIV/AIDS prevention awareness skillsand advice in aspects of the United Nations Department of PeacekeepingOperations’ training for peacekeeping personnel, and welcoming the 20 March 2000report of the United Nations Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations(A/54/839) which affirmed this need and the efforts already made by the UnitedNations Secretariat in this regard,
Taking note of the call of the Secretary-General in his report to the MillenniumAssembly (A/54/2000) for coordinated and intensified international action to reducethe HIV infection rates in persons 15 to 24 years of age by 25 per cent by the year2010,
Noting with satisfaction the 13th International AIDS Conference, held from 9to 14 July 2000 in Durban, South Africa, which was the first conference of this type to be held in a developing country and which drew significant attention to themagnitude of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa, and further noting that this Conference was an important opportunity for leaders and scientists todiscuss the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and estimates of resources needed to address HIV/AIDS, as well as issues related to access to care, mother to child transmission,prevention, and development of vaccines,
Bearing in mind the Council’s primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security,
- Expresses concern at the potential damaging impact of HIV/AIDS on the health of international peacekeeping personnel, including support personnel;
2. Recognizes the efforts of those Member States which have acknowledgedthe problem of HIV/AIDS and, where applicable, have developed nationalprogrammes, and encourages all interested Member States which have not alreadydone so to consider developing, in cooperation with the international communityand UNAIDS, where appropriate, effective long-term strategies for HIV/AIDSeducation, prevention, voluntary and confidential testing and counselling, andtreatment of their personnel, as an important part of their preparation for theirparticipation in peacekeeping operations;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to take further steps towards the provisions of training for peacekeeping personnel on issues related to preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS and to continue the further development of pre-deploymentorientation and ongoing training for all peacekeeping personnel on these issues;
4. Encourages interested Member States to increase international cooperation among their relevant national bodies to assist with the creation andexecution of policies for HIV/AIDS prevention, voluntary and confidential testingand counselling, and treatment for personnel to be deployed in internationalpeacekeeping operations;
5. Encourages, in this context, UNAIDS to continue to strengthen itscooperation with interested Member States to further develop its country profiles in order to reflect best practices and countries’ policies on HIV/AIDS preventioneducation, testing, counselling and treatment;
6. Expresses keen interest in additional discussion among relevant UnitedNations bodies, Member States, industry and other relevant organizations to makeprogress, inter alia, on the question of access to treatment and care, and onprevention.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 4172nd meeting,on 17 July 2000
