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.

We are convinced that fresh political commitments around this new resolution will enable the UN to effectively contribute to the efforts of Member States to address the impact of AIDS on peace and security. In so doing, Member States will also be encouraged strengthen their response AIDS in National Strategic Plans, and put into place appropriate strategies, policies, capacities and resources.

Le mouvement de lutte contre le sida est l’histoire de personnes qui brisent la conspiration du silence et réclament l’équité et la dignité. C’est l’histoire de personnes confrontées aux erreurs de la société qui se saisissent de leurs droits. Et c’est l’histoire de l’effroi des malades et de leur désir passionné de justice sociale.

Depuis notre dernière réunion de décembre, nous avons: lancé une nouvelle méthode d’investissement qui assure l’efficacité de la riposte au VIH; renouvelé l’engagement mondial en faveur de l’accès universel; mobilisé les contributions des partenaires clés pour assurer leur engagement dans la Réunion de haut niveau et au-delà; soutenu la Réunion de haut niveau de l’Assemblée générale de l’ONU 2011 sur le sida qui a remporté un vif succès, ainsi que la nouvelle Déclaration politique qui fait date; poursuivi les progrès réalisés dans la mise en oeuvre des réformes internes à l’ONUSIDA finalisé un budget visionnaire qui permettra à l’ONUSIDA de produire des résultats audacieux.