| UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, in his message for World AIDS Day, which is celebrated the worldUN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moonover today, said that the number of new HIV infections has fallen by more than 20 per cent since 1997.He is also urging all concerned to act on the investment framework put forward by UNAIDS and to fully fund the global investment target of up to $24 billion, annually.“Heading into the fourth decade of AIDS, we are finally in a position to end the epidemic,” Ban said in his message.He added that the progress indicates that the vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths could be realized.“The number of new HIV infections has fallen by more than 20 per cent since 1997. New infections are continuing to decline in most parts of the world.In sub-Saharan Africa, the region most affected by the AIDS epidemic, HIV incidence has decreased in 22 countries,” the UN secretary general mentioned.According to him, treatment has averted 2.5 million AIDS-related deaths since 1985.“Last year alone, 700,000 lives were saved. Some 6.6 million people, nearly half those who need treatment in low and middle income countries, are now receiving it.”Nevertheless, Ban stressed that to end AIDS,China Jerseys NFL, greater results are needed to be delivered.“This year in June, the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Meeting on AIDS adopted bold targets for 2015: reduce the sexual transmission of HIV by half, eliminate new infections in children, provide treatment for 15 million people living with HIV, end stigma and discrimination, and close the AIDS funding gap”, he said in his message.“With strong political will, reasonable financial resources and a firm human rights-based approach, we can achieve all of these targets.”Ban urged all concerned to act on the investment framework put forward by UNAIDS and to fully fund the global investment target of up to $24 billion annually.“The results would offset the upfront costs in less than one generation,” he said.“We must build on the political commitments, investments, energy, activism and determination that have brought us to this turning point. “Momentum is on our side. Let us use it to end AIDS – once and for all,” Ban concluded. |
