Speech by Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director to the 22nd Meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, Chiang Mai, Thailand, 24 April 2008

Speech by Dr Meskerem Grunitzky-Bekele, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for West and Central Africa

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is a special lecture in the Department for International Development series of lectures on HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases

First let me thank the Government of Uganda, and all the organizers of this meeting for bringing us together today – and you, President Museveni, for your historic leadership in the fight against AIDS.

I take the floor today to speak on behalf of UNAIDS’ ten Cosponsoring agencies. As the Secretary General’s report shows, we are now finally seeing real results in almost every region. Results many once said could never happen – because of denial or because there wasn’t enough money, because health systems were too weak, because they didn’t think people would take their medication on time. Just imagine what would have happened if we had waited to resolve all these issues: where would those three million people who are now taking antiretroviral treatment be now? Most would not be alive today.

Many countries represented here today are making impressive headway on AIDS, particularly in the areas of antiretroviral treatment. Many countries in the region including our host Mexico are now providing universal access to services to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV. By showing what is possible, you have inspired other regions.

Over the years, we have seen how vital leadership is in the fight against AIDS. So I’m particularly pleased that this Coalition brings together two kinds of leaders: women leaders in the AIDS response (including women living with HIV) and women leaders in the political arena. Your Coalition has become a rallying point for women across the region to make their voices heard. In the course of the coming week, we must make sure that women remain at the centre of the proceedings of this International AIDS Conference.

I am honoured and humbled to stand here among so many leaders in the AIDS response. Your dedication and resolve is what will ultimately make universal access to HIV prevention and treatment a reality.

This conference takes place as we enter a new phase in confronting aids. A new phase because we now have results on a large scale. For the first time, fewer people are dying of aids and fewer people are becoming infected with HIV. For the first time we have empirical evidence that our brilliant coalition can move mountains. A unique and diverse coalition present here in this auditorium. This is cause for encouragement. But not cause for complacency, nor for declaring victory.

Presentation by Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director, Tsinghua University, Omnicom building, Beijing, 17 September 2008