Only through a change in attitudes and behaviors will we succeed in slowing this epidemic. AIDS is a formidable challenge in large part because of the difficulty of transforming societal, cultural and gender norms and creating open dialogue about sex, empowerment of women, and the recognition of the role of men in responding to the epidemic. No government decree or planning document can do this. It requires a broad- based national effort involving communities, churches, women's groups, trade unions, and all types of organizations on the frontline of AIDS prevention. The role of government and its leadership in addressing the problem remain central.
Governments have a responsibility to institute emergency measures to respond to the crisis.
Sustained top-level political leadership is required to develop strategic national AIDS plans that engage all actors. We are encouraged by the examples of some of the worst affected countries who have created national coordination bodies within the president's or prime minister's offices to ensure that the crisis is taken seriously by all government ministers. The international community must also do its part, through debt relief and other actions, to help countries cope with the crushing impact of the epidemic. We are working closely with our UN partners through our leadership of the Resident Coordinator system to ensure a cohesive and coherent UN response at country level. The recent success of several countries in stemming and even reversing the spread of the epidemic give us reason to hope.