Feature Story

2007 World AIDS Day events

This year's World AIDS Day theme – leadership – reminds us that, from government leaders to individuals, we all have a leadership role to play in the AIDS response and we are all accountable for the promises made. On 1 December UNAIDS participated in events around the globe to commemorate this special day of remembrance and hope.
View UNAIDS in action on World AIDS day in the special photo gallery

UNAIDS Executive Director marks World AIDS Day
In Mexico, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot joined government and civil society representatives and people living with HIV to commemorate World AIDS Day 2007. Throughout the events, Dr Piot underlined the importance of continued leadership on AIDS issues. “Sustaining leadership and accelerating action on AIDS… requires us all to focus on AIDS every day of the year,” he said in his statement marking the Day.
Read UNAIDS Executive Director's speech ( es )
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UNAIDS joins French President at World AIDS Day gathering

On World AIDS Day 2007, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Michel Sidibe joined governmental and civil society representatives at a meeting with the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, to discuss AIDS and the global response, and to mark the International Day. The meeting provided a key opportunity for UNAIDS and civil society to brief the French President on the global AIDS epidemic and for discussions on critical issues including universal access to treatment and the situation for women and girls within the AIDS response.

UN Secretary-General opens UN Plus exhibition

In observance of World AIDS Day 2007, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his wife Yoo Soon-taek opened a photographic exhibition entitled "UN Plus" at the United Nations headquarters in New York with the members of UNPlus - the UN System HIV Positive Staff Group.
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Geneva's candlelight march

In Geneva, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Deborah Landey joined other representatives from the UN family, missions, people living with HIV, faith communities and civil society groups, in a candlelight march to commemorate World AIDS Day and to celebrate the leaders and communities worldwide who are setting example, taking initiative and helping the world to keep its promise to act on AIDS. During the march, Geneva’s famous ‘jet d’eau’ turned red to mark the international day.
 View photo gallery

World AIDS Day - Statements

On 1 December, people around the world commemorate World AIDS Day. This year, World AIDS Day focuses on ‘leadership’, the theme set by the World AIDS Campaign under the five-year slogan “Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise”. Marking the day, the United Nations Secretary General, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and UNAIDS cosponsors and key partners speak out in special World AIDS Day statements.
Read statements

AIDS Perspectives 2007 - DVD

The UNAIDS/Face of AIDS DVD AIDS Perspectives 2007 is a seven minute collection of stories from around the world focusing on efforts taking place to respond to AIDS. Linking to the 2007 World AIDS Day theme of ‘Leadership’, the film focuses on young people and the work they are doing to lead the AIDS response into future. The film contains clips from Cambodia, USA, Mexico, the Russian Federation, Botswana and India.
View DVD - AIDS Perspectives 2007

Credit: UNICEF video

Roger Federer speaks out on World AIDS Day
Roger Federer, the Association of Tennis Professionals world number-one tennis player and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, took a break from his whirlwind schedule of tournaments, grand slams and public appearances to record a video message raising awareness about AIDS.
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Leading cricketers show support for World Aids Day

As part of the partnership between the International Cricket Council and UNAIDS, many of the world’s leading cricketers will show their support for people living with HIV when they wear red ribbons in international matches taking place on 1st and 2nd December.
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MTV launches ‘Staying Alive’ website

MTV Networks International has re-launched www.staying-alive.org, the online portal for the company’s Staying Alive campaign. With the site, Staying Alive—the world’s biggest youth focused HIV prevention campaign—provides young people with a unique platform to exchange views on life, love and relationships while also accessing vital information on HIV prevention.
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