Dear colleagues, Ladies and gentlemen,

The United Nations is multi-cultural and global.

Our staff are a cross-section of humanity.

It was inevitable that the HIV epidemic, which has taken the lives of more than 30 million people around the world, would also affect our workplace – our colleagues, our families, ourselves.

We launched UN Cares in 2008 to ensure that the UN is a model employer with regard to HIV.

The UN Cares Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of UN employees who volunteer their time and expertise to address HIV and AIDS in the workplace.

This year’s candidates come from every region.

They are diverse, committed and creative.

Each team, each member, is an example of UN core values.

Today, on World AIDS Day, I warmly congratulate the winning teams from Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mongolia, and Mozambique.

The United Nations is working worldwide to end new HIV infections, stigma and discrimination, and AIDS-related deaths.

Thanks to UN Cares and UN Plus, I am confident we can achieve this for our workforce and our families.

I thank and commend all who are helping to ensure that the United Nations continues to be an organization that cares.

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To learn more about UN Cares visit www.uncares.org