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Secretary Clinton calls for shared responsibility at AIDS 2012

23 July 2012

Credit: UNAIDS

The 19th AIDS Conference Opening Plenary was highlighted with a call to “restore our faith to reach an AIDS free generation,” by United States Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton.  “America in this for the long haul,” she said to wide applause from the thousands of delegates attending the conference.

Praising her vision for using foreign policy as a tool to promote global health speaking out about the tragic physical and economic impact of violence against women, Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS introduced the Secretary of State, “She understands that if we turn the tide against HIV now, it will produce benefits across health and development around the world.”

If we want to save lives, we need to go where the virus is and get there as quickly as possible

United States Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton

In her remarks Secretary Clinton called for getting serious about shared responsibility for country ownership. She also announced several new measures to support the AIDS response including US$ 2 million to support civil society through the Robert Carr Civil Society Network Fund. “If we want to save lives, we need to go where the virus is and get there as quickly as possible,” said Secretary Clinton.

Highlighting the neglect of key populations at risk such as people who use drugs, sex workers and men who have sex with men she said that to get to AIDS free generation we [the global community] must address the needs of people the highest risk of becoming infected.

The Secretary also promised a blueprint for an AIDS free generation by World AIDS Day 2012.