PD Online: Are there any appropriate measures in enhancing protection for HIV-infected children in Asia-Pacific region?

Kraus: Across the region, new infections among children have declined by 28 percent since 2001; however, recent rates of decline appear to be slowing. Between 2010 and 2012, infections among children only decreased by 8 percent.

Preventing new infections among children is a central priority for UNAIDS in all countries. Asia and the Pacific is lagging behind other regions with regards to provision of antiretroviral treatment to prevent new infections among infants, and this is an area for significant improvement and attention moving forwards. The region also needs a concerted effort to improve access to antiretroviral treatment for children, which has substantially lagged behind that of adults.

At the International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific that just took place in Bangkok, our cosponsor organizations UNICEF and UNESCO voiced concerns over high HIV infections among children and teenagers and called for accelerated actions to address the specific needs of this vulnerable group. According to their figures, about 6 percent of people living with HIV in the region are children under 14 years and adolescents in the 10 to 19 age bracket account for 17 per cent. Key populations at particular risk include young men who have sex with men, young people who use drugs, and young sex workers.

Much more attention will need to be paid to addressing the risks faced by children and adolescents. Adolescence is a difficult time for all young people, when they have to negotiate the many changes.

We must work to ensure no child is born with HIV, and that those children living with HIV have access to the treatment, care and support they need to remain alive and well.

We have the opportunity to raise an AIDS-free generation in Asia and the Pacific and we must do everything we can to make this a reality.

PD Online: What is the most critical challenge in achieving the 10 targets?

Kraus: There are a number of challenges and these are often interlinked. We know that despite important progress, such as a 26 percent reduction in new HIV infections since 2001 and significantly increased domestic financing for AIDS, the epidemic still outpaces the response and half of people eligible for antiretroviral treatment are not accessing it.