United Nations Radio

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for action to create a future without AIDS. In a message to mark World AIDS Day, the Secretary-General, urged the international community to pledge to be hope givers who offer encouragement in the fight against the pandemic.

UN Radio's Donn Bobb reports from Doha, Qatar, where the Secretary-General is attending the summit on financing for development:

"Bobb:As the world marks the 20th World AIDS Day, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says we are at the dawn of a new era with fewer people being infected and fewer dying of AIDS. But he says this is just the beginning. In a message marking World AIDS Day, the Secretary-General says AIDS will not go away anytime soon and people are still being infected with HIV faster than we can get them on treatment.

Ban Ki-Moon:The challenge now is to sustain the leadership that is producing these results. We have to build on what we have started. We have to maintain this momentum, especially during this time of financial crisis.

Bobb: Secretary-General Ban says the need to lead, empower and to deliver on AIDS is as real and urgent as ever.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio, Doha."

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