At the end of the 18th century, a British economist named Thomas Malthus predicted that population growth would be an obstacle to human development, and would even lead to crisis.

Papua New Guinea is a rich in culture, diversity, natural beauty and history. But it has the highest HIV prevalence in the Pacific. The latest data show that the epidemic may be leveling off, but the risk factors that contribute to HIV infection have not changed.

We meet at a moment in time when the AIDS response is at a crossroads. We have achieved some lasting gains against the epidemic: The conspiracy of silence has been broken. Over five million people are on lifesaving treatment. Infection rates are dropping. People living with HIV and engaged and active in ways we have never before seen. Young people have reduced their HIV prevalence 25% in 15 of the highest-burden countries. We expect to virtually eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in just a few years

NGOs tackle the work that governments will not do, cannot do, or dont do well. UNAIDS Executive Director calls on NGOs to lead the next big step forward. To make investments and momentum for AIDS into a bridge for producing larger health and development outcomes. Only with the leadership role of NGOs can we take AIDS out of isolation and fully integrate the AIDS response with the MDGs.

Like your diamonds, they are precious. And like diamonds, they are unbelievably strong. They are the solid centre of human life—of families, of communities, of care—the places where AIDS is most effectively challenged. And like Liberia’s diamonds, they bring pride to this country, and they deserve to be free.

It is a pleasure to be here in St. Maarten, at this timely and important point in PANCAP’s history. I am truly inspired to be with so many of the very people who broke the conspiracy of silence around AIDS in the Caribbean

I deeply appreciate UNIDO’s leadership on the link between industrial development and public health, and specifically for being a valuable partner to the AIDS response in promoting drug production in developing countries.

To be a partner for women and girls against violence and injustice, you do not have to be experts on human rights or gender. You do have to be committed to always asking in your daily work: “How can I better engage women and girls to understand what they need? How can I better support human rights, gender equality and an end to sexual and other forms of violence?” These answers should change your work and will enable churches to be more compassionate for the cause of women and girls.

African countries have learned that investing in AIDS is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart thing. It is like putting money in the bank. Averting disability and deaths from AIDS results in higher productivity in factories, farms and office buildings; fewer orphans needing support; and lower costs of medical care for AIDS-related illness.

Funding sustainable health care is a moral obligation, a right not a luxury. In this, the faith community and the Church are among our strongest allies in calling for robust, comprehensive and lasting national responses to HIV. To do this, the faith communities and the AIDS movement must come together and speak with one voice. The world is not hearing us because we are talking over, and sometimes in opposition to, each other.