I wish to take this opportunity on behalf of the UN family in Tanzania, to extend our congratulations to the pioneer group among the Private Sector, who realizing the important role the Private Sector can play in addressing HIV/AIDS in Tanzania, initiated first meetings and discussions to establish this coalition where all like minded Chief Executives and companies can work together and share varied experiences and lessons learned.

Review of the rationale and main elements of the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS.

The American Public Health Association has a long and distinguished tradition of linking health and human rights and I am honored to have the opportunity to address you all this morning.

This is the first time the Programme Coordinating Board has met in the Caribbean –
and it is highly appropriate that it does so now. While much of the world’s attention
has turned to the burgeoning epidemics in India and China, the Caribbean, with an
estimated HIV adult prevalence rate of 2.3%, has the second highest prevalence
rates of HIV infection behind sub -Saharan Africa, and HIV infections continue to
increase. Just two weeks ago, UNAIDS and WHO released the latest figures which
indicate that among adults aged 15 to 44, AIDS has become the leading cause of
death in the Caribbean. There is also evidence to suggest that these rates of
prevalence are worsening in a majority of Caribbean countries.

May I begin by congratulating you, Mr Thibault, on assuming the chair of this
meeting, and say how much I look forward to working with you and Canada in the
coming year.