A/HRC/4/110 page 4 implementation of two major programmes: the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (2001-2007) and the Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS programme funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund). The National Action Plan ensures a range of free services, such as HIV testing, universal provision of antiretroviral therapy to those in need (regardless of their social and health insurance status), and prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission. The Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS programme has improved access to and coverage of services for HIV prevention among groups at risk, such as injecting drug users, sex workers, young Roma people with risk behaviour, men who have sex with men and prisoners. Specific services are accessible to these vulnerable groups, free of charge and without discrimination. The country has established a network of voluntary HIV counselling and testing centres providing free services on an anonymous basis. 5. The Government of Canada provided its 2005 Progress Report on the Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment prepared for the 2006 United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. The report highlights the significant progress made with the launch of Leading Together: Canada Takes Action on HIV/AIDS, 2005-2010 and of the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada, both explicitly addressing the protection of human rights. Canada’s contribution provided details of the state of the disease in the country. Most-at-risk populations are men who have sex with men (representing 58 per cent of all infections and thus the most affected group), injecting drug users, aboriginal people, prisoners, women, people from countries where HIV is endemic and youth. For these groups, the Federal Initiative is developing population-specific approaches, and a major challenge will be to develop discrete approaches to address the epidemic for the most vulnerable populations, who are often marginalized and do not access traditional prevention, care or treatment services. Addressing the social, cultural and economic determinants of health, as well as stigma and discrimination, is also key to reducing their vulnerability. In addition to its domestic response, Canada has contributed over $600 million to the global effort to address the epidemic since 2000. It has also passed legislation aimed at changing patent laws, to allow the manufacture of lower-cost versions of patented medicines in order to address HIV/AIDS in least developed and developing countries. 6. With regard to prevention, Canada promotes HIV/AIDS-related reproductive and sexual health education for young people. It also promotes different kinds of preventive health interventions for most-at-risk populations. Concerning access to care and support, special attention is paid to barriers for women, children and most-at-risk populations. The additional needs of orphans and other vulnerable children or youth are also addressed. However, there are significant inconsistencies in access to treatment, based on geography and subpopulations for certain vulnerable groups. 7. In its contribution, the Government of Ecuador outlined the current epidemiological situation of HIV and AIDS in the country (particularly in the most affected province, Guayas) and provides information on activities, treatment, testing and public awareness. The Government has given priority to developing a national policy and mechanisms for ensuring universal access to HIV treatment, and a policy was agreed in 2006. Problems remain in financing the purchase of antiretroviral drugs, however assistance has been provided by the Global Fund and by Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of). The Government also provided information relating to the activities of an NGO working in Ecuador on HIV and AIDS, the