World AIDS Day 2010: Universal Access and Human Rights

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Today, on World AIDS Day, we call for universal access and human rights for all and we extend solidarity to all people living with HIV.

UNFPA welcomes the new data from UNAIDS showing that the epidemic is changing course, thanks to bold and concerted actions, including an emphasis on the right to prevention, treatment, care and support.

New HIV infections have fallen by nearly 20 per cent in the last 10 years, AIDS-related deaths are down by nearly 20 per cent in the last five years, and the total number of people living with HIV is stabilizing.

We are coming closer to a world where no children have to grow up with the burden of HIV as more and more babies are protected from mother-to-child transmission of the virus.

Moreover, we applaud the leadership of young people, who have adopted safer sexual practices and are now leading the prevention revolution. Among young people in 15 of the most severely affected countries, the rate of new HIV infections has fallen by more than 25 per cent.

We now have more reason than ever to dream of a world with zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination. Now is the time to build on the successes we have had because too many women and young people still lack access to the information and services they need to protect themselves.

By further integrating HIV programmes and services with sexual and reproductive health, we can make the response even more effective.

UNFPA is working in partnership with other UN agencies, governments, civil society and private sector to promote universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support, and respect for human rights for all.

We will continue to share, care and dare to do the right thing and stand up for the principles of human rights, especially for the most vulnerable and most at risk populations.

Today, and every day, let us join hands to make universal access and human rights come true for everyone.