Countries meeting at a United Nations summit in New York today adopted ambitious new targets to defeat AIDS, with the aim of ridding the world of a disease that has claimed more than 30 million lives since it was first reported three decades ago. Bringing together 3,000 participants, including 30 heads of State and government, along with senior officials, representatives of international organizations, civil society and people living with HIV, to chart a path for the future of the AIDS response the conclusion was characterized by Paul De Lay, Deputy Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), told reporters. “This meeting intends to bring us to the beginning of the end of AIDS.” Slice of Statements Offered During the Summit Over the next few days, we will select segments of statements made by the diverse group of participants. The statements can be informative, revealing, inspiring or not!(Photos reflect some of participants from governments (President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria) to civil society (Bernard Kouchner). Clear Targets The declaration adopted by Member States of the General Assembly contains clear, measurable targets, including to halve sexual transmission of HIV by 2015, to reduce HIV transmission among people who inject drugs by 50 per cent by 2015, to ensure that by 2015 no child will be born with HIV, to increase universal access to antiretroviral therapy, to get 15 million people onto life-saving treatment by 2015, and to halve tuberculosis deaths in people living with HIV by 50 per cent by 2015. (From GA Statement & UN News Centre) UN General Assembly President Joeseph Deiss echoed the sentiment: “These bold new targets set by world leaders will accelerate our push to reduce the transmission of HIV, The challenge that now remains is to implement these commitments and here leadership and mutual accountability are crucial.” Additional Resources Member States also pledged to close the global resource gap for AIDS and work towards increasing funding to between $22 and $24 billion per year by 2015. Dr. De Lay noted that the declaration clearly outlines the urgent need to increase access to HIV services for people most at risk of infection, including men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and sex workers. Gender Inequality as HIV/AIDS Factor The pledge to eliminate gender inequality, gender-based abuse and violence and to empower women and girls must be fulfilled without delay, he added. This week also featured a number of side events on issues such as women, girls and HIV; faith-based action to prevent HIV; and AIDS and disability. Religious Leaders Have Role Addressing an interfaith prayer breakfast this morning, Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro stressed how important the voices of religious leaders are in tackling the epidemic. “You more than anyone can be forceful advocates against stigma. You are natural activists who can change attitudes. You know that protecting lives is as important as saving souls,” she said, urging leaders to speak out, end marginalization and make it clear that their houses of worship are open to all people coping with AIDS. Related Reports at “Humanitarian” Channel - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/c/humanitarian ---“Liz Taylor/UN Fight AIDS” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/liz-taylor-un-fight-aids/26152 Including - “HIV?AIDS & War” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/hivaids-war/27248 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey FaceBook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect” Twitter – Follow us at DiplomaticallyX