Ahead of World Aids Day, STOPAIDS conference ‘Refueling the Global HIV Response; the Role of U.K. Leadership’ gathered leading voices from around the world including Ndaba Mandela to highlight why the fight against HIV and AIDS isn’t over.
Mike Podmore, Director of STOPAIDS said:
“Today we have brought together global voices to identify how the UK can continue to lead the way with increased and better-targeted financial, crucial political and programmatic resources on HIV to stay on track and finally end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
“We have made some important but fragile progress in the fight against AIDS. Even maintaining the status quo will see an increase in the number of HIV infections and AIDS related deaths and ever greater costs.
“Now is not the time to stand still, this is the moment we step up, make history and end this global epidemic once and for all.”
Also speaking at the STOPAIDS conference, International Development Minister Lord Bates said:
“Since the first ever World AIDS Day in 1988 support for the fight against AIDS has grown, today we now have 18.2 million people with access to potentially lifesaving HIV treatment; something we can all be proud of.
“The UK is a global leader in tackling this disease and we are proud to be the second largest international investor in HIV prevention, treatment and care.
“But there is still a long way to go. Too many people still think that AIDS is yesterday’s epidemic. That’s why together with our partners, the UK will continue to fight this disease and work towards the global commitment of ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.”
