HEALTH and wellbeing cannot be achieved without respecting the dignity and promoting and protecting the human rights of all people.
The Pacific Islands AIDS Foundation said in a statement that Promoting Health and Dignity Together in the Pacific was the theme for this year's candlelight service on May 20.
"PIAF is calling on all Pacific island countries and territories to bring greater attention to positive health, dignity and prevention, with focus on the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV," it said.
Candlelight regional co-ordinator Temo Sasau said trained ambassadors from the organisation would head the event in their respective countries.
"The Pacific must stand together and use this opportunity to reduce stigma, ensure that there is access to treatment for our positive brothers and sisters in the Pacific, call on our leaders to increase resources in response to HIV, and promote more involvement in our communities."
PIAF said the HIV response would only be successful if the effort was supported by those affected by HIV. It said the Pacific would celebrate the event with the rest of the world since its inception in 1983.
PIAF's chief executive officer Maire Bopp urged Pacific communities to call for the support of access to HIV treatment for HIV positive women as mother-to-child transmission was a concern.
The candlelight service for the country will be conducted at the Vuci Methodist church at Nausori on Sunday.