ADB statement for press conference

Launch of HIV/AIDS campaign through football

16 May, KL
Distinguished guests from the media, ladies and gentlemen, partners from AFC and UNAIDS,
It is a great pleasure to participate in the launch of our joint HIV/AIDS communication campaign
through football Protect the Goal. I wish I could be with you this afternoon in the impressive
city of KL, but due to other urgent commitments I have to speak to you from Manila.
On behalf of the Asian Development Bank, I want to thank the AFC and UNAIDS for making this
important project possible. We at ADB believe that we need strong partnerships with
organizations that complement ADBs comparative advantage as a development bank in order
to deliver innovative development solutions to our clients.

Our project is a great example of how a partnership between diverse partners can achieve a
common goal - in our case improving awareness of HIV/AIDS among young people.
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is the key to responsible behavior that can limit the spread of the virus.
This should be a common commodity in the 21
st
century. But unfortunately, it is not. More
education, community mobilization and investments are desperately needed.
Over the past decade, ADB has invested more than 50 million USD in projects which address
the issues of HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific, with the focus on tackling HIV and AIDS risks and
vulnerabilities along economic corridors.
The Government of Sweden provided around 19 million USD through the Cooperation fund for
fighting HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific trust fund. The objectives were to produce more data on the
extent and nature of HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific, to support policy dialogue, and fund innovative
solutions to promote HIV/AIDS awareness. Our project was financed under this trust fund and I
think it's an excellent example not only for partnerships but also of an innovative approach to
promoting HIV/AIDS awareness.
Great strides have been made in recent years and while the epidemic has been largely
contained in high-risk population groups, the increasing number of cases among young people
due to risky behavior is alarming.
Young people aged 15 to 24 account for around one-third of new infections among adults in the
region. And about 2/3 of high risk young people actually dont know their HIV status.

This is significant for the Asia-Pacific region, home to the largest number of young people aged
10-24 globally, and the largest cohort of young people in the history of the world. While todays
generation of young people in the region is generally healthier and better educated than in the
past, sexual and reproductive health and HIV are often overlooked aspects of their well-being.

Added to this is that HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs often dont reach young people.

And that is why our Protect the Goals project is so timely and important. Its innovative in its
approach communication through football - and it reaches a population group at risk young
people.

As they say: Where you start is not as important as where you finish. We at ADB hope that our
initiative is a catalyst for a long-term commitment of the AFC and its counterparts to continue to
use the exciting sport of football as a powerful vehicle to bring people together, share
information, and allow an open dialogue on HIV/AIDS particularly for the next generation.
We wish you a successful afternoon and are looking forward to implementing the project with
you.