\u201cAIDS is far from over,\u201d UN Secretary-General<\/a> Ban Ki-moon emphasized<\/a> at the opening of the meeting.<\/p>\n \u201cOver the next five years, we have a window of opportunity to radically change the trajectory of the epidemic and put an end to AIDS forever. Despite remarkable progress, if we do not act, there is a danger the epidemic will rebound in low- and middle-income countries,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The high-level meeting<\/a>, which runs through Friday, brings together heads of State and Government, ministers, people living with HIV, representatives from civil society and international organizations, the private sector, scientists and researchers to build on the commitments made in the Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS<\/a> and to set the world on course to end the epidemic by 2030 within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (<\/a>SDGs<\/a>).<\/p>\n Specifically, participants will focus on the importance of a fast-track approach to HIV during the next five years in order to ensure that global efforts are accelerated during that time, as highlighted in the Secretary-General\u2019s report, On the fast track to ending the AIDs epidemic<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Fast-Track approach<\/a> of the Joint UN Programme on HIV\/AIDS (UNAIDS<\/a>) aims to achieve such targets as fewer than 500,000 people newly infected with HIV; fewer than 500,000 people dying from AIDS-related illnesses; and eliminating HIV-related discrimination.<\/p>\n In his remarks, Mr. Ban noted that when he became Secretary-General 10 years ago, AIDS was still devastating families, communities and nations. In many low-income countries, treatment was scare \u2013 in 2007, only 3 million people, or one-third of those in need, had access to life-saving antiretroviral drugs.<\/p>\n Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the General Assembly High-level Meeting on HIV\/AIDS. UN Photo\/Rick Bajornas<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cWe have made enormous progress. Since 2000 the global total of people receiving antiretroviral treatment doubled every three to four years, thanks to cheaper drugs, increased competition and new funding. Today, more than 17 billion people are being treated, saving millions of lives and billions of dollars,\u201d the Secretary-General said.<\/p>\n Furthermore, the world has achieved Millennium Development Goal (MDG<\/a>) 6 \u2013 which included halting and reversing the AIDS epidemic \u2013 and new HIV infections have declined by 35 per cent since 2000, the UN chief said.<\/p>\n Noting that he was particularly happy that new HIV infections among children were down by 56 per cent in the past 15 years, the Secretary-General said that four countries had eliminating them completely: Armenia, Belarus, Cuba and Thailand.<\/p>\n \u201cNone of this could have happened without the leadership of people living with HIV, and civil society partners on the ground around the world. They believed that more equitable treatment and access was possible, and they made sure that we responded,\u201d Mr. Ban said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey broke the silence and shone a light on discrimination, intolerance and stigma. They brought their passion to their fight, and that passion will make the end of AIDS a reality,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Reiterating that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development<\/a> affirms the global commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic within 15 years, the Secretary-General stressed that action now could avert an estimated 17.6 million new infections and 11 million premature deaths between 2016 and 2030.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we must make a radical change within the next five years, if we are to achieve that goal,\u201d Mr. Ban said. \u201cThat requires commitment at every level: from the global health infrastructure, to all Member States, civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations, to the United Nations Security Council that has dealt with AIDS as a humanitarian issue and a threat to human and national security.\u201d<\/p>\n The Secretary-General called on the international community to reinforce and expand on the \u201cunique, multi-sector, multi-actor approach\u201d of UNAIDS, and to ensure that the annual target of $26 billion in funding, including $13 billion for the next three years, is met.<\/p>\n \u201cIt means continued advocacy to the most vulnerable groups; and approaches that promote gender equality and empower women. It means leaving no one behind and removing punitive laws, policies and practices that violate people\u2019s dignity and human rights,\u201d Mr. Ban said.<\/p>\n Also speaking at the opening of the high-level meeting was the UN General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft, who emphasized that the meeting was laying the groundwork for future progress in creating healthier outcomes for everyone affected by HIV, as well as building stronger societies prepared for future challenges.<\/p>\n Mogens Lykketoft, President of the seventieth session of the General Assembly, chairs the High-level Meeting on HIV\/AIDS. UN Photo\/Rick Bajornas<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cToday is the moment, therefore, that collectively, we signal our intentions to strike out for victory, to fast-track efforts over the next five years and to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030,\u201d he said<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is an epidemic that undermines development, significantly impacts on economic growth and can be a major concern in conflict and post-conflict situations,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Encouraging participants to be mindful of and listen to the various speakers who will be participating in the meeting over the coming days, Mr. Lykketoft called on all stakeholders to \u201cstep up to the plate.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to deliver greater global solidarity, bring more resources and spend them more effectively. We have to bring even greater collaboration and partnership, building on the many excellent initiatives created these past two decades aimed at prevention, treatment, care and support,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Mr. Lykketoft also stressed that stakeholders must also ensure that key populations are fully included in AIDS responses and that services are made available to them.<\/p>\n \u201cEnding the AIDS epidemic would be one of the greatest achievements of our lifetimes. It can be done and it must be done,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Also speaking today, Michel Sidib\u00e9, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said that the meeting represented an opportunity to end an epidemic that had defined public health for a generation.<\/p>\n \u201cI know it was not easy, I know it was complex, but this political declaration will certainly help us to close a door and open a new one for ending AIDS,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/News\/dh\/photos\/large\/2016\/June\/680603BanGAPrez.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u2018One of the greatest achievements of our lifetime\u2019<\/em><\/h5>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n\u2018Door of the UN should be open to all\u2019<\/em><\/h5>\n
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