Will our dreams die young?

Today is World AIDS Day. This day represents an opportunity for everyone concerned with this devastating disease to come together in a spirit of remembrance for those who have died from it, compassion for those who are suffering today, and commitment to help others remain free from infection. Despite the continuing tragedy of HIV/AIDS, there is a growing basis for hope.

The successes achieved through the United States partnership with India in fighting HIV/AIDS demonstrate that action can make a difference.

The theme of this year8217;s World AIDS Day is 8220;Keep the Promise.8221; To me, World AIDS Day is not only about keeping the promise, but also about taking action. The United States and India are doing just that. At their historic meeting in July 2005, US President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a commitment to strengthen cooperation and combat HIV/AIDs at a global level through an initiative that mobilises private sector and government resources, knowledge, and expertise. This is a call to action. The private sector, business sector, civil society, and religious communities in India must join together with the government to resist complacency and expand their actions in waging the battle against HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest threats to India8217;s desire to become a more productive and prosperous nation. Already, there are over five million Indians infected, and new infections are occurring every day. It is estimated that each hour, 64 new people are infected. The epidemic is shifting from urban to rural areas, and increasingly more women are being infected. Youth 8212; India8217;s next generation of leaders 8212; are at serious risk. And prevalence rates in the general population are also on the rise.

But action brings hope. The Government of India has taken the lead with numerous steps to stop the epidemic by mobilising its resources, knowledge and expertise to fight the disease. It has established The National AIDS Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, which comprises thirty ministries with specific budget resources dedicated to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention activities. The National AIDS Control Organisation NACO is also scaling up its activities and preparing for a broader national response under the third phase of the National AIDS Control Program. And the Government of India took an ambitious step when it announced it would provide free anti-retrovirals to 100,000 people by 2007. We recognise and applaud these actions.

Some Indian corporations are leading the way in combating HIV/AIDS in the workplace. Tata took an early stand to protect its workforce from HIV/AIDS. Other leaders include Bajaj Auto, Bharat Petroleum, Steel Authority of India Limited, Hero Honda, Larsen and Toubro Limited and Godrej Industries. The US is working with the Confederation of Indian Industries CII and other associations to expand that agreement and, together, have reached nearly 700 companies who have committed to HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs. These bold initiatives create momentum for change.

America has kept its promise and is now working in partnership with 123 nations 8212; including India 8212; as part of the President8217;s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief PEPFAR to support sustainable, locally-driven responses to the pandemic. In 2005, we provided 30 million towards AIDS prevention and care in India. US government agencies are working in high prevalence states, including the Northeast, to build the capacity of healthcare providers and public health professionals to make available quality prevention and care for people living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, the agencies are concentrating on the states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, where HIV prevalence is higher.

Focussed and consistent action yields success. As a result of intensive prevention and vigorous surveillance efforts by the US, and India8217;s bi-lateral AIDS Prevention and Control Project APAC, overall HIV infection rates are on a downward trend in Tamil Nadu. APAC provides a strong model for other states to replicate. US and Tamil Nadu authorities have also developed HIV/AIDS treatment and care facilities in a government hospital in Chennai, which has become one of the four centers of excellence for the National Anti-retroviral Treatment Program. We are proud of the strong partnership formed with Tamil Nadu, its district and state authorities and many partner NGOs that carry out this important work.

The American private sector is also involved in combating HIV/AIDS. Private entities such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Foundation, the Richard Gere Foundation and the Elizabeth Glaser Foundation have contributed substantial resources to HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment programs in India.

Even with all the successes by the Government of India, the leadership of the private sector and the backing of the US government, we must continue to take action in broad, deep and sustainable ways. These efforts are helping create a strong foundation that is crucial for the success of what is certain to be a long-term and hard-fought battle.

Taking action against HIV/AIDS is everyone8217;s responsibility. We cannot let HIV/AIDS continue to ravage people8217;s lives, destroy families and become a burden on society. Today, I call on the private sector, the business sector, civil society, and religious communities to join together with the Government of India and international donors to lead by example in the fight against HIV/AIDS. If you care about productivity losses in your country over the next five to ten years, you will become a leader in industry8217;s response to HIV/AIDS. If you care about India becoming an economic power and assuming a leadership role in today8217;s global economy, you will commit to taking action to prevent HIV/AIDS in your own workplace and your own communities.

By combining our resources, knowledge, and expertise, together we can stem the tide of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and protect the health and productivity of India and its citizens.