World AIDS Day

Your Excellency Minister of Health, José Van-Duném
Your Excellency Vice Governor of Luanda, Juvelina Imperial
Distinguished members of ANASO
Distinguished members of the international community
Guests
March participants

It is a honor with you today at this World Aids Day march in Angola.

The U.S. Embassy works shoulder-to-shoulder with the Ministry of Health to support the theme of “Contra o VIH e SIDA: Zero e Nossa Meta.”  Our mutual goal is to achieve zero new infections, zero deaths, and zero discrimination. The American people through private and government efforts have been a partner of Angola to combat o VIH e SIDA for over ten years.

Together, we focus on preventing mother-to-child transmission, HIV testing and counseling, and laboratory strengthening, and health services. With the support of the American people, the U.S. government has committed more than $136 million to help Angola stop this epidemic.

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease.

Globally, new HIV infections have dropped by half. And life expectancy has rebounded dramatically.

We are committed to working with partners in Angola to achieve an AIDS-free generation. It is the responsibility of each country and each citizen to do their part in combating this epidemic.

If we ignore it, infections will increase; if we discriminate, our human rights will suffer.

I believe, we believe, that together we can reach zero: zero new infections, zero deaths, and zero discrimination.

And together, the world can achieve an AIDS-free generation.

Our success will be measured in lives saved.

Thank you for being here today!