Media Release

OFFICIAL SPEECH OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE COFFEE INDUSTRY CORPORATION LTD, MR. NAVI ANIS DURING THE ERECTION OF THE RED RIBBON ON THE CIC HEAD QUARTER BUILDING IN GOROKA TO MARK THE WORLD AIDS DAY, WEDNESDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2010.

Ladies and Gentleman, while we observe the World AIDS Day today, it is very significant especially for over  4 million people of PNG who are engage in many ways by the coffee industry.

It is a day observed globally on 1st December of each year to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS. According to The 2007 Estimation Report on the HIV Epidemic in PNG, there were over 18, 000 recorded cases of people living with HIV/AIDS and the trend was general rising. Between 2005 & 2006 HIV/AIDS cases rose at a significant rate of 30 percent, sounding a very dangerous trend in one year.

This year’s world AIDS Day theme is "Universal Access and Human Rights". It is translated into Tok Pisin as, "Testim na Tritim-Em I Rait Blong Yu."
As expressed by the Director of the National Aids Council Secretariat, Mr. Wep Kanawi, the purpose of this theme is:

• To create an awareness on Testing and Treatment as part of the combination prevention package
• To inform the people that they have the right to be tested and have access to Treatment
• To remind and reaffirm the leaders of their commitment to provide Universal Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support. 
• To raise awareness in Tok Pisin, a language that is commonly spoken by all Papua New Guineans so the message on World AIDS Day can be easily translated  and understood by  the rural   population.

While many observe the day globally in various forms and styles, I
take this opportunity to share the purpose of this year’s theme and
bring awareness to the coffee farmers and stakeholders of the PNG
coffee industry to be mindful of the dreaded disease and to integrate
the HIV/AIDS awareness into their various activities.

The Coffee Industry Corporation Ltd, understands that HIV/AIDS is a
major destructive epidemic ever recorded in the history of human kind
and has the potential to impact negatively on the PNG coffee industry in
the long term.

As a responsible employer and public organization  mandated to implement government policies and plans via coffee, CIC has developed a HIV/AIDS Work Place Policy and has integrated the HIV/AIDS awareness in its 2008-2018 PNG Coffee Industry Strategic Plan and continues to bring awareness out to coffee farmers and stakeholders during coffee extension and training programs.

In August 2009 the Business Coalition Against HIV/AIDS (BAHA) approved CIC’s HIV/AIDS Work Place Policy and CIC became a member of BAHA. I also encourage other coffee companies and organization to follow suit and develop such policies to assist in their activities. 

Every year CIC will continues to hang the red ribbon on its buildings in Goroka & Aiyura and the 14 branches around the country as an important reminder to coffee farmers and other stakeholders of the infectious disease.
I join with the National AIDS Council and other concerned organizations and partners to encourage coffee farmers and employees of the PNG Coffee Industry to access the available services in order to know their HIV/AIDS status and to take appropriate preventive measures.

Thank you

NAVI ANIS

Chief Executive Officer

 

Updated: July 15, 2011