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June 9, 2011

U.N. Convenes AIDS Session, Hundreds Protest for Universal Treatment 
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The United Nations has opened an international gathering on HIV/AIDS to
review progress against the disease and affirm new commitments. The High
Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS is expected to adopt a pledge to ensure
universal treatment by 2015. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and U.N.
program on HIV/AIDS head Michel Sidibe addressed the opening session.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: "Today's historic meeting is a call
to action. First, we need all partners to come together in global
solidarity as never before. That is the only way to truly provide the
universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care by 2015."

Michel Sidibe: "It is not a question of paying now or paying later.
Either we pay now, or we pay forever. Getting to zero also demands that
we unleash the power of innovation."

As the gathering began, hundreds of people from around the world marched
to the United Nations to demand firm commitments to combat HIV/AIDS.
Democracy Now! spoke to Lucy Chesire of TB Action Group Kenya.

Lucy Chesire: "When you look at the African continent, we have over
1,500 people who are dying of TB everyday. We know very well at the end
of the day that TB is the leading killer of people living with HIV and
AIDs. And for me to be in this meeting, even during this [...] process,
I would really want to hold the leaders accountable to the promises they
have made in addressing the two diseases together."



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