Today on World AIDS Day 2008 we remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, we share our hope for those living with HIV, and we renew our commitment to combating this terrible pandemic, in the United States, in Sri Lanka, and throughout the world.  It is a day to celebrate the valuable work that is being done to combat AIDS and a day to recognize the need for more. 

Over 20 million people have died from AIDS and more than 33 million people currently live with HIV around the globe. In my own country over half a million people have died from AIDS and well over a million live with HIV.  Sri Lanka has the good fortune to be a country with a low rate of HIV infection, but this is no cause for satisfaction regarding the disease. The existence of high risk behaviors that can facilitate HIV transmission coupled with other socio-economic and cultural factors that can fuel the epidemic, means that the country remains vulnerable.

The government of Sri Lanka is taking the issue of HIV/AIDS seriously.  They have given the issue high priority, but at the same time acknowledge that there are insufficient resources and capacity to provide all the necessary testing facilities, service delivery, and public education required to ensure that the disease never catches on here as it has elsewhere in the world. 

The lack of resources has not deterred a broad range of private and non-governmental efforts aimed at broadening awareness of AIDS prevention and encouraging understanding of those who are HIV positive.  For example, the Sri Lanka Business Coalition (SLBCH) is a group of fifty multinational companies, large local corporations, SMEs, leading HIV/AIDS advocates, NGOs, trade unions, chambers of commerce and Government institutions, who are harnessing their combined power to provide advocacy and leadership on this issue.  In the past year they have established a base of trainers who conduct HIV/AIDS information sessions in both Sinhala and English to workplace audiences that range from senior business managers to factory floor workers and peer educators in the Health Ministry.

Similarly, the International Labour Organization and members of the Ministry of Labor Relations and Manpower have developed an HIV/AIDS Workplace Education Program.  Since 2005, through collaboration with various chambers of commerce and trade unions, and with funding from the U.S. Department of Labour, the programme has helped numerous companies set up AIDS-in-the-workplace policies, including strategies to provide information on awareness, prevention and understanding for staff.

HIV/AIDS information programs such as these are an essential element in an overall HIV/AIDS prevention and education strategy in Sri Lanka.  The workplace is a natural and suitable location to educate people.  Information can be provided in an informed, business-like way that can overcome workers' inhibitions about discussing what is often viewed as a sensitive or embarrassing issue.  These workplace programmes have an educational multiplier effect when people who learn about HIV/AIDS at work pass on this information to their families and communities.

I commend the individuals, organizations and institutions dedicated to carrying out these valuable education campaigns.  We in the U.S. government are also committed to assisting in the effort across Sri Lanka.  In mid 2006, the U.S. instituted an eighteen-month, $650,000 initiative through the U.S. Agency for International Development that aimed to reduce the incidence of new HIV infection among the most at risk populations to help prevent a generalized epidemic. The U.S. provided small grants to local non-governmental organizations to build up their institutional and technical capacity on HIV/AIDS prevention.

Under the U.S. grants, the organizations have been working island-wide to conduct training sessions, peer education programs, street dramas, condom promotion, counseling services, posters, leaflets and bill boards. U.S. grants also helped to fund technical assistance in HIV/AIDS services.

Globally, President George W. Bush's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to combat global HIV/AIDS, launched in 2003, remains the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in human history.

In July 2008, the President signed a new law dramatically increasing America's financial commitment to this fight – authorizing up to 48 billion dollars to combat global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria over the next 5 years. This legislation will support treatment for at least 3 million people; prevention of 12 million new infections; and care for 12 million people, including 5 million orphans and vulnerable children.

At the White House Summit on International Development on October 21, President Bush said: "During times of economic crisis, some may be tempted to turn inward -- focusing on our problems here at home, while ignoring our interests around the world. This would be a serious mistake. America is committed -- and America must stay committed -- to international development for reasons that remain true regardless of the ebb and flow of the markets."

In countless communities around the world and here in Sri Lanka, through partnerships with the American people, courageous individuals are surviving this disease, saving the lives of their fellow countrymen and women, and creating hope for a future free of HIV/AIDS.

But there is much more that can and should be done.  President-elect Barrack Obama has voiced his commitment to fighting this global epidemic, focusing on increasing U.S. investments for HIV treatment in poor countries and providing access through trade to safe, affordable generic drugs to treat HIV/AIDS.

Increased awareness of HIV/AIDS and greater access to information and support services will create an environment conducive for people to understand and make healthy lifestyle choices and seek early testing and treatment.  One of the most significant challenges to combating the disease remains stigma and lack of awareness towards those who are HIV-positive.  Such phobias are unjustified, and must be eliminated by education and open discussion.  Raising awareness of HIV/AIDS among both the at-risk and general population, will reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with the disease. 

The theme for World AIDS Day 2008 is “Leadership.”  I am pleased to recognize all of the dedicated men and women around the world and here in Sri Lanka who are leading the effort to prevent new HIV/AIDS infections and treat those people living with the disease.  We need more of these leaders. Colin Powell called HIV/AIDS the greatest weapon of mass destruction in history, but it is also preventable with the right awareness, precautions and treatment. Today, as we celebrate all the successes that we have achieved in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, we must also remind ourselves how much hard work lies ahead.