UNODC is cosponsor of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - UNAIDS
UNODC Executive Director's message on World AIDS Day
Dear colleagues,
The theme for World AIDS Day this year is "leadership." This applies to HIV prevention, care and treatment. And it applies to us all.
Antonio Maria Costa
It is up to governments to show leadership, to implement measures to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV, and to reduce the harm that this disease can cause. In this way they can keep the promise that they made to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.
It is up to international organizations to show leadership and to provide technical assistance to governments and their peoples to stop the spread of this epidemic.
UNODC plays its part by working with Member States to ensure that their strategies for responding to AIDS are inclusive and address the specific needs of injecting drug users, prisoners and people vulnerable to human trafficking.
But fighting AIDS is not only up to governments and international organizations. Because HIV does not discriminate, it is up to us all to assume responsibility. Leading by example, we can all have an impact on AIDS by ensuring that people take safe and informed decisions in their lives.
I urge you to take inspiration from people living with HIV who have become leaders in their communities. Like prisoners gathering in order to inform their peers. Like dedicated members of civil society caring for victims of human trafficking who have been infected with HIV. Like injecting drug users who promote prevention and treatment to save others.
Take the lead wherever you are, in your work and in your communities, to stop HIV/AIDS.
Antonio Maria Costa, Director-General/Executive Director
United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
