I am honoured and humbled to stand here among so many leaders in the AIDS response. Your dedication and resolve is what will ultimately make universal access to HIV prevention and treatment a reality.

This conference takes place as we enter a new phase in confronting aids. A new phase because we now have results on a large scale. For the first time, fewer people are dying of aids and fewer people are becoming infected with HIV. For the first time we have empirical evidence that our brilliant coalition can move mountains. A unique and diverse coalition present here in this auditorium. This is cause for encouragement. But not cause for complacency, nor for declaring victory.