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A JOINT STATEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

The U.S. is pleased with the outcome of the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, which concluded today. The entire world came together this week to speak with one voice to respond to the challenge of HIV/AIDS. As Secretary of State Colin L. Powell told the General Assembly on Monday, "No war on the face of the earth is more destructive than the AIDS pandemic." A concerted effort by all the nations of the world is needed to address this great catastrophe. "We must remain on the offensive in the war against HIV and AIDS, we must take the necessary precautions to prevent the contraction and spread of HIV, and we must reach out and warn those most vulnerable," said Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson.

We agree with the session's final document, "The Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, " which stated clearly that "prevention (of new HIV/AIDS infections) must be the mainstay of our response." This document charts a clear course of action for all nations to fight against HIV/AIDS at all levels, with a strong emphasis on effective partnership between governments and civil society, including faith-based organizations.

We welcome Secretary General Kofi Annan's statement to the press today that everyone now recognizes the need for additional resources to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and we appreciate his personal engagement in the effort to raise money for this fight. The U.S. government looks forward to working with the Secretary General, with our G-8 partners and other potential donors, and with the private sector and civil society to launch a global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

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