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Created on Dec 1, 2011

The Pangaea Global AIDS Foundation welcomes US President Obama’s World AIDS remarks, in which he recognized that both nationally, and internationally, the AIDS epidemic “is not over – not by a long shot”.

In particular, the President called for HIV treatment to be provided to an additional 6 million HIV positive people worldwide by 2013. This is in addition to US support – including through the Global Fund – for the treatment, currently, of nearly 6 million people across the world.

“President Obama’s remarks epitomize the sustained, real commitment we need from the leaders of countries – particularly major donors,” commented Ben Plumley, CEO of Pangaea. “With the Global Fund currently not able to fund the next round of grant making, his speech sends a strong message worldwide.”

The President also announced new support for the US’ own AIDS response. Cities like Oakland CA, where Pangaea is headquartered, face unacceptably high rates of HIV infections.

Former President Bush, as well as former President Clinton, joined by satellite link, demonstrating the critical need for bipartisan support for a rigorous, long term global AIDS response. President Bush said, “I understand we are in tight budget times,” adding, “ I believe that we are required to support effective programs that save lives.”

We believe that the key message this World AIDS Day is that AIDS is not over. Overall global AIDS funding is declining, despite important advances in HIV treatment and prevention. As President Obama remarked, “We just have to keep at it, steady, persistent, today, tomorrow and every day until we get to zero.”