Mark Stirling with Robin Lee, Co-Founder, Baidu
GENEVA, 21 July 2010—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) launched today a new UNAIDS High Level Commission on HIV Prevention, which includes more than 15 world renowned leaders. Commissioners will use their unique authority and influence to lead a social and political action campaign over the coming year aimed at galvanizing support for effective HIV prevention programmes.
The commission is co-chaired by Professor Francoise Barré-Sinoussi, Nobel Laureate in Medicine for her role in the discovery of HIV, and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Price Laureate.
“Today, for every 2 persons starting treatment, 5 new infections occur,” said Professor Barré-Sinoussi, The growing curb of the epidemics cannot be stopped without a strong and global commitment to combined HIV prevention measures, including treatment;"
Archbishop Tutu said, "The only way to be cured of HIV is not to be infected. For the sake of the future, and for the sake of those currently living with HIV, we must take the path to zero new HIV infections"
“We have received amazing leadership support for the UNAIDS High Level Commission on HIV Prevention,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, “The greatest successes in the AIDS response have been achieved in countries where the leadership has mobilized and made reducing new HIV infections a top priority. With the backing of these celebrated personalities, we can bring about a prevention revolution and reverse the AIDS epidemic.”
The members of the Commission are:
A Scientific Advisory Panel chaired by Ms Laurie Garrett of the Council on Foreign Relations will assist the High Level Commission by using state-of-the-art scientific research to develop a road-map incorporating the best strategies in HIV prevention.
“We will look at what works in HIV prevention, drawing attention to country level successes and elaborating actions needed to overcome current failures and deficiencies, “said Garrett.
Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, the world has made unprecedented progress in the treatment of people living with HIV. But over 7,000 new HIV infections occur every day. While treatment has grabbed the limelight as a key strategy in the AIDS response, prevention has often been neglected. The Commissioners will take the message of a recommitment to HIV prevention to their circles of influence, swaying public opinion to support the implementation of effective HIV prevention programmes.
Contact
UNAIDS Geneva | Saya Oka | tel. +41 22 791 2511 | okas@unaids.org
UNAIDS
UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Learn more at www.unaids.org.Address: 2-8-1, Tayuan Diplomatic Office Building
14, Liangmahe Nanlu, Dongwai Dajie
Beijing, 100600, P.R. China
Tel: (8610) 8532 2226
Fax: (8610) 8532 2228
email: china@unaids.org