The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) convened a meeting in New York to allow Cambodia to join the Program Coordinating Board (PCB) of UNAIDS for the Asia-Pacific Region for the 2023-2025 term, according to the National AIDS Authority (NAA)
An April 7 press release stated that Cambodia was approved by vote at the meeting to become a member of the PCB for the Asia-Pacific Region for the 2023-2025 term.
“This is recognition by the international community for Cambodia’s pioneering and effective programme in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” it said.
Cambodia will be able to contribute to the development of the HIV/AIDS programme at the UN as a new member of the UNAIDS PCB, to improve and promote the fight against HIV/AIDS to achieve the goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS throughout the world.
“Being elected to the UNAID PCB is also a success for Cambodia’s foreign policy, which is constantly seeking friends everywhere, in all political tendencies, and which is gaining greater support from the international community,” said the statement.
Chuob Sok Chamroeun, executive director of KHANA – a prominent NGO providing HIV prevention, care and support services at the community level in Cambodia – said that as a member of the PCB, Cambodia will be able to use this platform to share experiences and knowledge of the issue of AIDS/HIV including the reasons the country has achieved success in this area.
He added that the opportunity for Cambodia to meaningfully participate in these kind of international bodies will help raise the Kingdom’s profile and enable more diplomatic contacts and exchanges, especially between health officials in this case.
“In the Asia-Pacific Region, there are over 20 countries facing challenges with their response to AIDS/HIV. With our lessons and experience, Cambodia will help urge those countries to take steps to put an end to the issue of AIDS/HIV by 2030 around the world,” he said.
