Speech at the OAFLA General Assembly. Sudan. 24 January 2006.

HIV in the Eastern Mediterranean region: Facing challenges; creating opportunities. EMRO is home to well over one half million people living with HIV. The bulk of infections are concentrated among men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and people who sell sex. These are people who tend to suffer major stigma and discrimination. Not surprisingly HIV remains a highly stigmatized health condition.

Good morning. I am truly honored to be with you at this important gathering of minds. This colloquium promises ripe discussion and the generation of inspiring ideas for how we can protect and uplift the family unit and build on its distinctive power to fundamentally transform societies.

Africa is changing! This change is visible in economics and in the increasing world interest for doing business in Africa. But the winds of change on our continent also blow on culture and society. The fact that we are all here today, calling for “zero human rights violations for LGBT people in Africa” is another illustration of this change. This change is not given. It is the fruit of the struggles and activism of many in this room and across the continent.

Mr President, as Chairperson of the African Union, you have made it a priority for Africa to lead and own its own AIDS response. Under your leadership, the African Union adopted its new roadmap for AIDS, TB and malaria this July.