Statement by Ambassador Mark Dybul on Worlds AIDS Day 2008

“President George W. Bush and a bipartisan Congress launched the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, when many doubted the possibility of progress against global HIV/AIDS. Five years later, people and communities all over the world are leading the fight, saving the lives of their countrymen and women and looking forward to a generation free from HIV with the strong support of the American people. It is in this spirit that we celebrate life on World AIDS Day 2008.

“PEPFAR is one aspect of the ‘new era’ in development led by President Bush, with a focus on true partnership: support for country-owned strategies and national programs, with shared accountability for results, achieved through the power of multisectoral partnerships with governments, non-governmental, faith- and community-based organizations, the private sector and groups of people living with HIV/AIDS.

“The successes of PEPFAR have been vast. Ahead of schedule, PEPFAR has fulfilled its commitment to support treatment for two million people. As of September 30, 2008, PEPFAR supported life-saving antiretroviral treatment for over 2.1 million men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS around the world. It is safe to say that as of December 1, 2008, PEPFAR also has met its goal of supporting care for 10 million people affected by HIV, including nearly 4 million orphans and vulnerable children. Nearly 240,000 babies have been born free of HIV, due to PEPFAR-supported programs to prevent mothers from passing the virus on to their children. And the American people, through PEPFAR, have supported a comprehensive prevention portfolio providing HIV prevention messages in hundreds of millions of encounters.

“In recent months, we have been reminded that this world is one of global connections, and the challenges of people around the world are our own. On this World AIDS Day 2008, we must rededicate ourselves to bringing hope to those who need it most – and celebrate life.”