AMBASSADOR Louis B. Susman
Speeches, Remarks & Events
01 December 2009
World AIDS
Day 2009: Working Together to Fight HIV/AIDS
 In the last 25 years, the global health community has made large strides against
the HIV/AIDS epidemic that deserve recognition this World AIDS Day.
The World Health Organization estimates that over four million individuals in
low- and middle-income countries currently have access to antiretroviral treatment.
And thanks to strong partnerships around the world, including with the United Kingdom,
the U.S. Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) supports more than half of these
men, women and children on treatment.
Together, we have also provided compassionate care for more than 10 million people
affected by HIV/AIDS, including more than four million orphans and vulnerable children,
and we have supported prevention of mother-to-child transmission programs that have
allowed nearly 240,000 babies to be born HIV-free.
As the largest commitment in history to combat a single disease, PEPFAR has been
a driving force behind these results. Through PEPFAR, the American people have
provided more than $25 billion to the fight against global AIDS. The U.S. government
is also the first and largest single contributor to the global fund to fight AIDS,
tuberculosis and malaria.
America is unwavering in this commitment to the fight against HIV. The U.S. will
continue PEPFAR’s essential work as a critical component of the Global Health
Initiative. PEPFAR has the potential to serve as a platform upon which to build
other essential health services for individuals and families. To fulfill this vision,
PEPFAR will work with other U.S. government programs and our partners worldwide
to strengthen health systems and integrate HIV, tuberculosis and malaria programs
with those that address maternal and child health, family planning and neglected
tropical diseases.
The United States cannot defeat HIV/AIDS alone. For nations facing this epidemic,
potential for success is compromised with each life lost to AIDS. For this reason,
we must continue to work with countries and our global partners, such as the United
Kingdom, to overcome the many barriers that still stand in our way. For example,
our PEPFAR mission in Malawi works closely with the U.K. Department for International
Development (DFID), making both efforts much more effective.
PEPFAR, in collaboration with our multilateral partners, civil society and non-governmental
organizations, must support countries as they build the sustainability of their
national HIV/AIDS responses. We must continue to support country-led efforts to
make universal access a reality for their citizens and to boldly address the human
rights challenges that drive the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
This World AIDS Day, the global community must recommit to working together to
combat global AIDS.
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Speeches, Remarks & Events