On the basis of the concern already shown in the past for
health problems (London Chairman's oral statement on cancer and
Bonn Chairman's oral statement on drugs), the Heads of State or
Government and the representatives of the European Community affirm
that AIDS [acquired immune deficiency syndrome] is one of the
biggest potential health problems in the world. National efforts
need to be intensified and made more effective by international
cooperation and concerted campaigns to prevent AIDS from spreading
further, and will have to ensure that the measures taken are in
accordance with the principles of human rights. In this connection,
they agree that:
International cooperation will not be improved by duplication
of effort. Priority will have to be given to strengthening existing
organizations by giving them full political support and by providing
them with the necessary financial, personnel and administrative
resources. The World Health Organization (WHO) is the best forum
for drawing together international efforts on a worldwide level
to combat AIDS, and all countries should be encouraged fully to
cooperate with the WHO and support its special program of AIDSrelated
activities;
In the absence of a vaccine or cure, the best hope for
the combat and prevention of AIDS rests on a strategy based on
educating the public about the seriousness of the AIDS epidemic,
the ways the AIDS virus is transmitted and the practical steps
each person can take to avoid acquiring or spreading it. Appropriate
opportunities should be used for exchanging information about
national education campaigns and domestic policies. The Heads
of State or Government and the representatives of the European
Community welcome the proposal by the United Kingdom government
to cosponsor, with the WHO, an international conference at ministerial
level on public education about AIDS; and
Further cooperation should be promoted for basic and clinical
studies on prevention, treatment and the exchange of information
(as in the case of the EC program). The Heads of State or Government
and the representatives of the European Community welcome and
support joint action by researchers in the seven countries (as
in the case of the joint program of French and American researchers,
which is being enlarged, and similar programs) and all over the
world for the cure of the disease, clinical testing on components
of the virus and the development of a successful vaccine. The
Heads of State or Government and the representatives of the European
Community welcome the proposal by the president of the French
Republic aiming at the creation of an international committee
on the ethical issues raised by AIDS.
Source: U.S., Department of State, Bulletin,
No. 2125 (August 1987): 10-11; Canada, Department of External
Affairs, Economic Summits, 1975-1987: Declarations
(Ottawa, 198-): Tab 36 [unpublished]; Canada, Department of External
Affairs, Toronto Economic Summit, June 19-21, 1988
(Ottawa, 1988), p. 51.
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