Message from UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé

GENEVA, 17 May 2013—More than 30 years ago, gay men lit the first spark that kindled the world's response to the AIDS epidemic. Thanks to the audacity and courage of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, we have now seen extraordinary progress against AIDS around the world.

However, stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity still drive new HIV infections and are an obstacle to treatment efforts in every part of the world.

We call on political and community leaders to cast aside discriminatory laws and social practices.

The right to health belongs to everyone. Everyone should have access to HIV prevention, care, treatment and support.

Today and every day, UNAIDS stands with our fellow LGBT brothers and sisters for a world without homophobia and transphobia.

Let us work together to realize our vision: a world with zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths.

May 17, 2013

On World AIDS Vaccine Day, May 18, IAVI remains as committed to the quest for an AIDS vaccine as it was in 1998, when this day of observance was established to commemorate former US President Bill Clinton's challenge to researchers to develop a vaccine against HIV. We are as committed as we were when, 13 years ago, world leaders established the Millennium Development Goals and included in their ambitious list a call to address the suffering caused by AIDS, halt the growth of the HIV pandemic by 2015 and begin reversing the tide of new infections. In the face of serious scientific and economic challenges—and acknowledging the remarkable progress that has already been made in the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS—we remain committed to the belief that the world needs an AIDS vaccine.

Individuals claiming to work for "ICAD Kenya" have allegedly been attempting to raise funds in Kenya. They have also used Facebook to create an appearance of being affiliated with us. ICAD has no offices anywhere in developing countries, nor do we raise funds from individuals or NGOs in any developing country. Please advise us if you see any suspicious or fraudulent fundraising activities being conducted under our name. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(Canadian Council for International Cooperation) - As part of our post CIDA-DFAIT merger strategy, we invite you to engage your members, volunteers, supporters, fans and donors in a call to action starting this week and targeting MPs. MPs are back in their riding this week and we want them to hear from their constituencies that Canadians care about global poverty and human rights, and about preserving CIDA’s mandate and a positive role for Canada in the world.