UNITED NATIONS SHOULD BE MODEL OF WORKPLACE RESPONSE TO HIV/AIDS, SAYS

SECRETARY-GENERAL AT LAUNCH OF SYSTEM-WIDE PROGRAMME ‘UN CARES’

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at the launch of “UN Cares”, the United Nations system-wide workplace programme on HIV, in New York, 6 May:

Today, we join as one United Nations to launch UN Cares -- the workplace programme on HIV embracing the entire United Nations family.

With this initiative, we commit to making available the staff, time and resources needed to meet a specific set of 10 minimum standards by the end of 2011 -- from training, counselling and testing to insurance coverage and access to condoms.

This launch marks a milestone in the United Nations response to HIV.  Since the early 1990s, the impact of the virus on our work and on the communities we serve has been historic in magnitude.  At the same time, our workplace, our staff and our families are profoundly affected.

Because our workplace is global and spans so many activities, cultures and conditions, the challenge is particularly great.  Some parts of the United Nations system have put in place successful workplace programmes in response to HIV.  But the approach has been fragmented and progress has been uneven.

Many United Nations staff members are still not well prepared to protect themselves and their families from HIV.  Others may be afraid to be tested, or uncomfortable working with colleagues living with HIV.

Now, with UN Cares, we have a unified, system-wide programme that will:

-- provide a common framework for action and collaboration at the global, regional and national levels;

-- offer our personnel and their families access to quality information and services;

-- fight stigma and discrimination in the workplace;

-- build up staff capacity, prevent duplication and save resources;

-- work hand in hand with UN Plus, the advocacy and support network for United Nations staff living with HIV.

So far, 15 entities of the United Nations family have pledged a total of about $1.3 million to UN Cares.  Today, I am delighted to announce that the Secretariat will make available $350,000 as an initial contribution through next year.

Since taking office as Secretary-General, I have been committed to making the United Nations a model of how the workplace should respond to HIV and AIDS.  But our performance will be only as good as the commitment and contribution of every one of us.

Today, I ask all colleagues to make sure they and their families know the essential facts about HIV and AIDS, protect themselves from HIV transmission and demonstrate zero tolerance of stigma and discrimination in our workplace.

I ask all managers to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the UN Cares 10 Minimum Standards, and ensure they provide the resources required to meet them -- including staff, time and budget.

And I ask all of you to lead by example, participating in UN Cares learning sessions and encouraging your colleagues to do the same.

You should remember that I myself participated in this learning session, including all the senior managers of the Secretariat.

Please take the opportunity here today to pick up important fact sheets about the programme.

I am confident that, together, we can meet the UN Cares Minimum Standards by the end of 2011, and ensure we live up to them on an ongoing basis.  We can make our United Nations family stronger, more coherent and more responsive to the needs of all staff and their families.  We can unite to show that the UN cares.

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For information media • not an official record