This week in Casablanca, countries came together to speak with a common voice and with one common goal – stopping AIDS from making further inroads in French-speaking countries. Representatives from around 50 French-speaking countries wrapped up the 5th Francophone conference on HIV/AIDS today.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé is in Botswana on the second leg of a three-country tour of Southern Africa to gain insight on progress and challenges towards achieving the goals of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

This week UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with Mr Danny Jordaan, Chief Executive Officer of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa in Cape Town to discuss support for global outreach on HIV by the South African government around the epic event taking place next summer.

Children born of hope in Viet Nam - Photo feature from the UNAIDS OUTLOOK Report 2010. Photo

Credit: UNAIDS/Justine Mott

Despite having an HIV prevalence of less than 0.1% among its general population, Pakistan’s HIV epidemic has transitioned from low to a concentrated one as the prevalence among IDUs has steadily increased from 10.8% in 2005 to nearly 21% in 2008.

The 3rd HIV/AIDS Conference in Eastern Europe and Central Asia opened in Moscow today with a ceremony attended by senior representatives of Russian Duma, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russian Academy of Sciences and the US Ambassador to the Russian Federation.

During his visit to the People’s Republic of China, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé addressed the opening of the Fifth Conference for the International Cooperation Programme on AIDS in Shanghai. Mr Sidibé congratulated the country, saying, “China’s progress can invigorate an AIDS response that teaches and inspires the world.”

Access to antiretroviral therapy continues to expand at a rapid rate. Of the estimated 9.5 million people in need of treatment in 2008 in low- and middle-income countries, 42% had access, up from 33% in 2007. The greatest progress was seen in sub-Saharan Africa, where two-thirds of all HIV infections occur.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé concluded an official visit to Lebanon on 29 September. Mr Sidibé recognized and supported the country’s achievements in the HIV response and welcomed the Government of Lebanon’s strong commitment to introduce oral substitution therapy into the country’s public health system.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé attended the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and some bilateral events including the signing of an agreement with the Millenium Villages initiative.