Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich!

We, politicians, representatives of business, media, civil society and communities of people living with HIV/AIDS, and the public at large, welcome the Russian State authorities’ recognition of the significance of the country’s growing HIV/AIDS epidemic and the decision to allocate substantial resources for the implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention, diagnostics and treatment programs in 2006 and beyond.

Russia’s surging HIV epidemic is no longer just a public health concern, it represents a serious threat to the national security, social and economic stability of the country. This strategic problem requires a comprehensive and well-coordinated response especially in the area of economic and social policy. We must mobilize all sectors of society and rely on international best practices to effectively fight the spread of HIV/AIDS in Russia.  The leading role of high level State officials in this process is the key to the success of our efforts.

Effective development and implementation of HIV/AIDS programs requires collaboration among the State authorities, media, private sector, and civil society, including communities of people living with HIV/AIDS. Only by joining efforts and coordinating responses we can curb the further spread of HIV/AIDS and mitigate its negative impact on society. Our joint efforts should focus on:

• Scaled-up access to treatment for everyone who needs it, and development of effective prevention measures that target both general population and vulnerable groups (e.g. harm reduction programs aimed at HIV-prevention among injecting drug users);  

 

• Cross-sector and multi-level approach to the development and implementation of programs aimed at averting the HIV/AIDS epidemic;

 

• Delivering on the latest commitments and decisions made to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Russia through effective resource allocation, coordination and monitoring of program implementation.

International experience has proven that active involvement of civil society is essential to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Civil organizations have enormous experience in the development and implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention programs, working with vulnerable populations, developing public awareness campaigns and increasing tolerance among the general public.

Politicians, representatives of civil society and communities of people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as business communities and media, are ready to actively support the Russian State Authorities in the development and implementation of programs required for curbing the country’s HIV/AIDS epidemic and caring for Russians already living with HIV. The critical role of the State authorities is securing the efficiency of national response to HIV/AIDS can only be accomplished if all sectors of society are involved. Together, we can stem the time of the epidemic, ensure future well-being of our country, and contribute to the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

 

LIST OF SIGNATORIES OF THE OPEN LETTER
TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION V. V. PUTIN
1 December 2005

 

Grishankov M. I.
First Deputy Chairman of State Duma Committee
on National Security
Member of Interfactional Deputies Working Group
on prevention and fight against HIV/AIDS                                                                     

 

Golovnev V. A.
Co-Chairman of Public Organization “Delovaya Rossiya”

 

Dybal A. M. 
Chairman of the Board of Directors
“GAZPROM-Media”
  

     
Pozner V. V.
President of the Foundation “Academy of the Russian Television”

Rukavishnikov M. V.
Director on Development and External Affairs
Regional public organization
“Community of people living with HIV/AIDS”

 

Sysuev O. N.
First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors
“Alfa-Bank"
           

Khachatrian A. O.
Director of Programs in the Russian Federation
Non-governmental organization
“Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS”