1 December 2007
Calling AIDS “a disease unlike any other,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need for strong leadership in a number of areas, saying that “without it, we will never get ahead of the epidemic.”
While “tangible and remarkable” progress has been made in a number of areas, including reducing infections and providing care, Mr. Ban emphasized the need to do more on several fronts.
“It is our crucial mission to ensure that everyone can access HIV prevention, treatment, care and support,” he said, recalling the pledge made by all Governments last year to work towards universal access by 2010.
In addition, Mr. Ban called for renewed leadership in eradicating stigma associated with HIV, which he termed “the single biggest barrier to public action on AIDS” and one of the reasons why the epidemic continues to wreak its devastation around the world.
The Secretary-General also emphasized the need for leadership among Governments in fully understanding the epidemic, so that resources go where they are most needed. In addition he pledged to ensure that the UN becomes a model in responding to the virus.
“As Secretary General, I am determined to lead the United Nations family in this endeavour – to ensure that we prioritize action on AIDS, to encourage Member States to keep the issue high on national and international agendas, and to work to make the UN a model of how the workplace should respond to AIDS,” Mr. Ban said. The Executive Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said the challenge now is to keep AIDS at the top of the agenda, and to accelerate action at national and local level, warning that “any slackening of leadership would be fatal.” “The epidemic reached global proportions precisely because it took so long for the world to act,” stated Dr. Peter Piot. “And although we are beginning to make progress, there remains a long way to go.” Citing a serious shortfall in resources for AIDS, and prevailing stigma and discrimination around the disease, he noted that two-thirds of those who require anti-retroviral treatment are unable to access it. “Less than one in ten people at risk of HIV infection have the means to protect themselves,” he said. Dr. Piot stressed that sustaining leadership and accelerating action on AIDS isn't just an imperative for politicians. “It involves religious leaders, community, youth and council leaders, chief executives and trade union leaders. It involves people living with HIV, and their families and friends. It involves you, me – each and every one of us – taking the lead to eliminate stigma and discrimination, to advocate for more resources to tackle AIDS.” In her message to mark the Day, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stressed that the first and primary leadership call is for Governments to step forward and provide the basic human rights guarantees necessary for HIV to be overcome. The commitment by Governments to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support by 2010 is not only an ambitious goal, “it is also a human right,” Louise Arbour stated. To achieve this goal, she called for action on several fronts, including ending the discrimination against people living with HIV and supporting them to become strong, active players in determining policies and programmes that will prevent further infections and provide treatment. In addition, she stressed the need for Governments to care for the most disaffected and marginalized groups, even those who engage in activities which may be illegal in some countries. “Sex workers, prisoners and persons in detention, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users must have their human rights respected and protected, including rights to health, non-discrimination and freedom from violence,” she stated. “These people are amongst the worst affected in the pandemic, yet their rights are disproportionately violated.” Highlighting the leadership role played by the General Assembly in raising awareness of the issues surrounding the epidemic, its President, Srgjan Kerim, noted that the 192-member body will hold a meeting next year to take stock of and accelerate the implementation of global commitments to combat HIV/AIDS. Mr. Kerim also drew attention to the fact that the disease remains a major challenge for many countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. “Eight countries in Africa now account for almost one-third of all new HIV infections and AIDS deaths globally,” he stated, adding that “every human life lost to AIDS is a tragedy when knowledge and resources have made it possible to prevent these deaths.” In the lead up to World AIDS Day, UNAIDS worked with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the World Bank to produce “HIV and Prisons in sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities for Action.” While it is well known that sub-Saharan Africa has been hardest hit by the epidemic, little is known about the prison community and HIV, the three agencies said in a joint communiqué. The new document summarizes what is known, identifies gaps in information and proposes ways forward to address this underserved population within the context of the HIV/AIDS response in the region. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has announced that its Goodwill Ambassador and tennis great Roger Federer will star in a World AIDS Day public service announcement to raise awareness about the transmission of HIV from mothers to their children. Mr. Federer is among several celebrities and sports personalities lending their voices to the Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS campaign, launched in October 2005 by UNICEF and UNAIDS to draw attention to the impact of the disease on children and young people. 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White House on December 1, 2007. 
The 20th annual World AIDS Day was December 1, 2007. The theme selected by the World AIDS Campaign is "Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise" as it will be through 2010. The day was marked by thousands of events around the world.

"It is now time for bold leadership at all levels in order to turn the tide of HIV," said Felicita Hikuam, Global Programmes Manager, World AIDS Campaign. An estimated 33.2 million people around the world—one in every 200—are living with HIV, and approximately 6,800 people are infected with HIV and 5,700 people die of AIDS-related illnesses every day.

"The trend is encouraging but still for every person receiving treatment four others are newly infected," said Nelson Mandela, speaking at a concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. "If we are to stop the Aids epidemic from expanding, we need to break the cycle of new HIV infections. All of us working together with government, communities and civil society can make the difference that is needed," he continued.

As many as 50,000 people attended the concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, which was telecast around the world. It was organized by Nelson Mandela's 46664 AIDS campaign and featured performances by artists such as Peter Gabriel, Ludacris, Razorlight, the Goo Goo Dolls and Annie Lennox.

At a fundraiser in the town of Midrand, in the province Gauteng, near Johannesburg on Friday, singer Annie Lennox had strong words for the South African government's AIDS policies.

"AIDS, as Madiba Mandela has said, is a human rights issue and should be treated as such in order to avoid this genocide that is affecting millions and millions of people around the world," said Lennox in a speech. Lennox has previously been critical of the South African government's position on suggesting some AIDS medications were toxic. "It is unacceptable that treatment has not been made available to those who need it most," said Lennox.

The rock band Queen, which lost its lead singer Freddie Mercury to AIDS, released a new song entitled, ''Say It's Not True'', to coincide with World Aids Day. It has been made available as a free download from the band's website. "By making the song available for free, we hope to help Nelson Mandela with his campaign to get across the message that no-one is safe from infection," said Queen drummer Roger Taylor. "We have to be aware, we have to protect ourselves and those we love."

In China, people distributed AIDS prevention brochures in the streets and promoted safe sex in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. In Changsha, official warning signs were put on hotel bedstands. The government announced on Friday an allocation of CNY860 million for AIDS prevention and control. According to official reports, there are estimated to be 700,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in China.

Also in China, the Miss World 2007 was in Sanya on World AIDS Day. The pageant presented a special tribute to the fight against AIDS, with a televised speech from former South African President Nelson Mandela, along with traditional dancers from South Africa who joined the contestants in a special song.

Friday, United States President George W. Bush urged the United States Congress to double the 2003 Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to US$30 billion over the next five years. "Above all, we rededicate ourselves to a great purpose: We will turn the tide against HIV/AIDS—once and for all," he said.

"I'm pleased to announce that Laura and I will travel to sub-Sahara Africa early next year," Bush said. Sub-Saharan Africa suffered nearly three-quarters of AIDS-related deaths during 2006 and is home to two-thirds of those living with HIV/AIDS.