The deputy made the statement at the plenary meeting of the 61^st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

"Vietnam is making every effort to implement its National Strategy on the Prevention of and Combat against HIV/AIDS before the year 2010 and its Vision 2020, which have the overall objective of keeping HIV/AIDS prevalence under 0.3 percent by 2010, achieving a zero increase rate thereafter," Mr Thanh said.

"Vietnam considers the battle against the disease as a priority target for all government agencies and local government bodies," he said.

"Most importantly, the strategy aims to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS prevention among the population in urban, rural and mountainous areas. But to further boost the cause, the government will tighten surveillance on intravenous drug users and encourage widespread use of condoms. It will also prevent transmission via medical services.

"These prevention strategies will be pursued alongside ensuring that people already living with the disease receive adequate care and treatment and any spread of the disease in the country will be closely monitored," Thanh said.

The diplomat cited the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, which was approved by the National Assembly on June 2006, as a step forward in the country’s fight against the epidemic.

The Law spells out the rights and responsibilities of individuals, government agencies, social organizations, communities and families in the joint fight against the epidemic," he said.

"It expressly and authoritatively prohibits stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS and members of their families, including refusal of their employment or promotion on the basis of their HIV/AIDS status."

"It also stipulates voluntary testing, confidentiality of test results, counselling services, access to antiretroviral (ARV) medicines and other aspects of the prevention, treatment, care and support."

The Government was taking action to put the law into place, he added.

According to the diplomat, while trying to increase the national budget for preventing and combating HIV/AIDS and cooperating with international donors and partners, Vietnam is also exploring ways and means to mobilize, channel and utilize resources more effectively and efficiently.

On May 7, 2007, the Prime Minister signed a decision to establish a Support Fund for the Treatment of People Living with HIV/AIDS, aimed at supporting the costs of medical examinations and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS who are not covered by medical insurance as well as their spouses and children, he said.