United Nations
General Assembly
A/RES/58/179
Distr.: General
17 March 2004
Fifty-eighth session
Agenda item 117 (b)
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 22 December 2003
[on the report of the Third Committee (A/58/508/Add.2)]
58/179. Access to medication in the context of pandemics such as
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1 and the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, 2
Reaffirming also that the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest
attainable standard of physical and mental health is a human right,
Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolutions 2001/33 of 23 April
2001, 3 2002/32 of 22 April 2002 4 and 2003/29 of 22 April 2003, 5
Acknowledging that prevention and comprehensive care and support, including
treatment and access to medication for those infected and affected by pandemics
such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, are inseparable elements of an
effective response and must be integrated into a comprehensive approach to respond
to such pandemics,
Stressing the importance of fully implementing the Declaration of Commitment
on HIV/AIDS, “Global Crisis – Global Action”, 6 and taking note of the report of the
Secretary-General, 7
Welcoming the continuing political commitment demonstrated at the high-level
plenary meetings of the General Assembly devoted to the follow–up to the outcome
of its twenty-sixth special session and the implementation of the
Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, “Global Crisis – Global Action”, held on
22 September 2003,
_______________
1
Resolution 217 A (III).
See resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex.
3
See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2001, Supplement No. 3 (E/2001/23), chap. II,
sect. A.
4
Ibid., 2002, Supplement No. 3 (E/2002/23), chap. II, sect. A.
5
Ibid., 2003, Supplement No. 3 (E/2003/23), chap. II, sect. A.
6
Resolution S-26/2, annex.
7
A/58/184.
2
03 50532