Audience attending the World Leaders Forum discussion on "A Future without AIDS: Dream or Reality?" at Columbia University, NYC. 27 September 2012.

(L to R): Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health; Ambassador Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS Coordinator, U.S. Department of State; Wafaa El-Sadr, Director of ICAP and the Global Health Initiative, Mailman School of Public Health Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine; Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé at the World Leaders Forum discussing "A Future Without AIDS: Dream or Reality?" at Columbia University, NYC. 27 September 2012.

Unaids Executive Director Michel Sidibé with President of Benin Yayi Boni and UN Secretary-General Special Envoy to Stop Tuberculosis Jorge Sampaio at the NASDAQ stock market closing bell event organized by Global Health and Diplomacy to honor the champions of global health and diplomacy in 2012.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé speaking at the NASDAQ stock market closing bell event organized by Global Health and Diplomacy to honor the champions of global health and diplomacy in 2012.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé (left) and His Excellency Yayi Boni, President of Benin at the NASDAQ stock market closing bell event organized by Global Health and Diplomacy to honor the champions of global health and diplomacy in 2012.

Nobel Laureate and Chairperson of the National League for Democracy in Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi, attending the launch of the Education First initiative. UN Headquarters, NYC.  26 September 2012.

Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard speaking at the Education First event. UN Headquarters, NYC.  26 September 2012.

Speaking on behalf of all children and young people, Chenor Bah from Sierra Leone presented a petition demanding their right for education.

Moderating the session, the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown called on the global community to invest fully in education.

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon launching the new initiative “Education First”. UN Headquarters, NYC.  26 September 2012.

Student Choir opening the launch of the Education First initiative at UN Headquarters, NYC, on September 26, 2012.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton speaking  at Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity event organized by UNAIDS at UN Headquarters, NYC, on September 26, 2012.

United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown speaking at the Shared responsibility and global solidarity event organized by UNAIDS.

President Boni YAYI of Benin, in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union, presented the African Union’s Roadmap for Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

(L to R): Jean Ping, Chair of the African Union Commission, Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, President of Benin Boni YAYI and United States Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton participating at Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity event organized by UNAIDS. UN Headquarters, NYC. September 26, 2012.

(L to R): Head of the United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations Hervé Ladsous, President of Gabon H.E. Ali Bongo and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at a High-level debate on AIDS and security held during the 67th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. 25 September 2012.

United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé ring the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell in support of Education.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé rings the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell with the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown and Mrs. Sarah Brown in support of Education.

United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown and UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé join New York students on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé (right) during the press conference to announce the appointment of Indian icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (left) as UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador.

In her new role as UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will help raise awareness on issues related to stopping new HIV infections in children and advocate for increased access to antiretroviral treatment.

(L to R): UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan visited the Indian Mission in New York where they met with the Indian Minister Vinay Kumar.

(L to R): UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Naomi Watts; UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachchan; UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé; Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and Special Adviser on the Millennium Development Goals to the United Nations Secretary-General, Professor Jeffrey Sachs; and Founder and President of the Advanced Development for Africa (ADA) Foundation and conference Chairperson Ms. Coumba D. Touré at the Women Leaders Forum.  Yale Club, NYC. September 24, 2012.

Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé participated in a session of the Women Leaders Forum entitled Partnership in action: Ensuring children everywhere are born HIV-free, where he called on women to lead the way for social justice.

Speaking during the Women Forum about her experiences in the field, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Naomi Watts focused on the importance of partnerships in the incredible progress made in getting to zero new HIV infections among children.

At the Women Leaders Forum, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Aishwarya Rai Bachan shared her passion to learn and to make a real difference in the lives of women and families. She also called on the media to do its part. “We need to draw attention to something that needs attention,” she said.