Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Health, and UNAIDS enhanced cooperation to achieve the goal of “ending AIDS as a public health threat” and to end the discrimination against vulnerable groups on Zero Discrimination Day.

On 1 March 2021, H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister, H.E. Mr. Vijavat Isarabhakdi, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cooperation in achieving the goal of “ending AIDS as a public health threat” by 2030 during the event to commemorate Zero Discrimination Day at Vites Samosorn, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Over 120 participants from the diplomatic corps, government sector, international organisations and civil society attended the event with participants also joining virtually via Facebook of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The event featured panel discussion on “Global Partnership to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination” which was attended by UNAIDS Regional Director, along with Dr. Taweesap Siraprapasiri, Senior Advisor of the Department of Disease Control of Thailand, Mr. Harry Prabowo of APN Plus, Dr. Anita Suleiman of Malaysia’s Ministry of Health (joined virtually), and Ms. Supratra Nacapew, Chair of the National Sub-Committee on AIDS Rights Promotion and Protection of Thailand, with Mr. Christophe Bahuet, United Nationis Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Director for Asia and the Pacific, as a moderator of the discussion. The panelists exchanged ideas and insights on “Global Partnership to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination” and introduced solutions and approaches to tackle the issue in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific. The panelists agreed that stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV worsened the HIV/AIDS situation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has deepened inequalities in accessing the necessary health services. In addition, the exhibition of the book in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for HIV Prevention for Asia and the Pacific, and other exhibitions on ending discrimination were also on display at the event.

In closing, Mr. Nadhavathna Krishnamra, Director-General of the Department of International Organisations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, summed up the discussion by highlighting how the spread of HIV/AIDS has exacerbated poverty and gender inequalities. Community-led and people-centred approaches need to be reinforced to reach out to those who may feel isolated and to create a better understanding of HIV infection in the society. Information technologies and innovative approaches were considered essential to strengthening efforts to address HIV and AIDS as well as the comprehensive health coverage which will ensure health security without leaving anyone behind.

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