Statement by Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director Geneva, 22 May 2006 – “With the passing away of Dr LEE Jong-wook, the world has lost one of its greatest forces for good health – a scientist, policymaker and leader of exceptional caliber and accomplishments.

Mary Davis Fisher, the artist, author and speaker who travels the world advocating for those who share her HIV-positive status, has accepted the appointment as Special Representative for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). As UNAIDS Special Representative, Ms. Fisher will continue to raise awareness on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, with an emphasis on women, children and the oppressed. Through her many contacts in U.S. political and humanitarian circles as well as media and the arts, Ms. Fisher will support the UNAIDS mission of empowering people – especially women and girls – to protect themselves and live full, productive lives.

With 270,000 people newly infected with HIV in 2005 alone, the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region faces the world’s most rapidly expanding AIDS epidemic. An estimated 1.6 million people are living with the disease across the region, and in several countries the epidemic shows signs of crossing from groups most at risk into the general population.

Naomi Watts, the renowned British

A special summit of the African Union ended in Abuja with the adoption of far-reaching decisions to stem the tide of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – three diseases which kill an estimated four million Africans every year.

Maestro Mstislav Rostropovich, the outstanding musician, strong defender of human rights and advocate for children’s health, has accepted the appointment as a Special Representative for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

As the world grapples with ways to mitigate the daunting impact of AIDS on Africa’s development, a call emerged loud and clear from African political leaders in major African cities today for 2006 to be a “Year for Accelerating HIV Prevention in the African Region”. Innovative approaches, creative thinking and more holistic actions are needed across Africa, from all involved, if prevention is to succeed.

HRH Crown Princess of Norway has accepted her appointment as UNAIDS Special Representative. The Crown Princess is committed to actively supporting the AIDS response. As Special

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Press release