The tools are complex and imperfect. With opportunity comes responsibility and challenge. There are no more excuses. No one constituency can act alone to change the face of this epidemic, whether we are from national governments or international agencies, associations of people living with HIV, NGOs, the private sector, academic institutions, community organisations or public interest groups. Wherever there is inequity, conflict or lack of mutual respect, the virus feeds on our divisiveness.
Leadership is needed to act early, effectively and boldly.
It is needed to set tough priorities. Let me begin with Clarity. Clarity about what is happening now and what is at stake. Young girls are most affected. In a study of eleven African countries, the rate of infection in teenage girls was over five times higher than in boys of the same age.