January 31, 2012
In a World AIDS Day speech on December 1st, US President Barack Obama announced that the United States is renewing “its commitment to ending the AIDS pandemic – once and for all” at an event at George Washington University organized by the ONE and (RED) campaigns. In the speech, President Obama pledged $50 million in new funding for domestic HIV treatment and care programs and set a goal of helping six million people receive antiretroviral treatment (ART) by 2013—two million more than the previous US target. At the close of this historic event, AVAC and other coalition partners including amfAR, Health GAP, ACT V and many others were recognized for their work in coalition to build momentum for the campaign to end AIDS. The speech came on the heels of November 2011 remarks by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the National Institutes of Health endorsing combination prevention and treatment as prevention. In 2012, AVAC and other coalition members will be working to ensure that President Obama’s commitments are fully realized and that other donors and developing country governments show equal leadership and willingness to fund ambitious new programs. Stay up-to-date by visiting our website or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.