Mr. Kofi Annan urges world leaders to be accountable for promises made on HIV/AIDS
(01 Dec. 2006) : “It has inflicted the single greatest reversal in the history of human development. In other words, it has become the greatest challenge of our generation”, stated United Nations Secretary General Mr. Kofi Annan in a message marking the 18th World AIDS Day, being observed on Friday 1st December. This year, the international theme for the World AIDs Day is “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise”.
Mr. Annan in his message reminded that in the past 25 years since the first case was reported, AIDS has changed the world, killing 25 million people and infecting 40 million more, becoming the world’s leading cause of death among women and men aged 15 to 59. He further continued that “it requires world leaders to strengthen protection for all vulnerable groups, to work hand in hand with civil society groups, who are so crucial to the struggle and to work for real positive change that will give more power and confidence to women and girls, and transform relations between women and men at all levels of society”. The UN Secretary General underlined that “accountability applies not only to those who hold positions of power” but also businessmen, health workers, teachers, “it requires every one of us to help bring AIDS out of the shadows, and spread the message that silence is death”.
| All the contents on this site are copyrighted ©. |