ADB President Discusses HIV/AIDS Prevention with Vietnamese Youth
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda discussed HIV prevention with a group of young people involved in ADB’s $20 million youth HIV prevention project. The project’s Youth Advisory Group provides guidance to the Government and other partners in the implementation of every aspect of the project, which involves community-based activities in fifteen provinces, and the development of a nationwide mass media campaign – including a television drama series that will debut later in 2008. While young people 15-24 years of age comprise 20% of Viet Nam’s population, approximately 40% of new HIV infections occur in this age group. “Young people in Viet Nam bear the brunt of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, and we need to more actively engage them in dialogue so they’re better armed with the knowledge and skills that will enable them to protect themselves,” said President Kuroda. With more than 100 people in Viet Nam newly infected by HIV each day and the number of new infections continuing to grow, intensified prevention efforts are needed if Viet Nam is to achieve the Millennium Development Goal for HIV and AIDS. “Working directly with young people to understand their lives and what makes them vulnerable to risky behaviors will help us make progress in stemming the rising tide of HIV amongst Viet Nam’s youth,” said Mr. Kuroda. About ADB |