Ban Ki-moon, the United Nation’s top official, said that significant progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS over the past 30 years, but the world must not relent on its efforts to roll back the pandemic. Ban stressed the importance of preventing new infections and deaths.
“Our common goal is clear: universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. We must also work to make the AIDS response sustainable,” Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his message to mark World AIDS Day.
“Three decades into this crisis, let us set our sights on achieving the “three zeros” – zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. On this World AIDS Day, let us pledge to work together to realize this vision for all of the world’s people,” he said.
The Secretary General added that:
“Fewer people are becoming infected with HIV. Millions of people have gained access to HIV treatment. More women are now able to prevent their babies from becoming infected with HIV. Travel restrictions for people living with HIV are being lifted by many countries, as stigma gives way – still too slowly – to compassion and recognition of human rights.”
