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Global Aids forum opens in Mexico Clinton addresses Aids conference
(about 17 hours later)
A global conference on HIV/Aids has opened in Mexico City, a quarter of a century after the disease first became widely known. Former US President Bill Clinton has delivered a keynote speech to thousands of delegates at a global HIV/Aids conference in Mexico City.
He warned that the battle against the disease was far from over.
Figures released ahead of the meeting reveal that the number of people with the condition around the world has gone down slightly overall.Figures released ahead of the meeting reveal that the number of people with the condition around the world has gone down slightly overall.
However, infection rates are still rising in some countries and access to the right treatment is also an issue.However, infection rates are still rising in some countries and access to the right treatment is also an issue.
Across the world 33 million people are affected by the syndrome.Across the world 33 million people are affected by the syndrome.
"Aids is a very big dragon. The mythological dragon was slain by Saint George, the original knight in shining armour, but this dragon must be slain by millions and millions of foot soldiers," Mr Clinton told the conference.
A crowd of demonstrators holding banners calling for housing for people with HIV walked in front of the podium during his speech.
Mr Clinton used the moment to talk about how rising oil, food prices and the mortgage crisis had made the lives of people with HIV even more difficult.
There was "no silver bullet" to rid the world of the disease, he said.
"We know there is so much yet to be done: to expand prevention, treatment and care, to strengthen undeveloped health systems," he added.
Universal access
The six-day conference was preceded by an awareness march, a photo exhibition and other events.The six-day conference was preceded by an awareness march, a photo exhibition and other events.
About 20,000 scientists, government officials and campaigners are in Mexico City for the event.
Worrying spread
Former US President Bill Clinton is due to attend on Monday.
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Campaigners call for universal access to anti-retroviral treatmentCampaigners call for universal access to anti-retroviral treatment
Since Aids first became known, 25 million people have died. About 20,000 scientists, government officials and campaigners are in Mexico City for the event.
They used to separate out my plate, my spoon, my cup, fearing they would catch Aids Alejandro Progress and setbacks in Aids battle
Funding, access to treatment, improving prevention against HIV and social issues such as stigma and violence against women are all on the agenda.
However delegates are not expecting any breakthrough announcement concerning new drugs or the search for a preventative vaccine.
The UN General Assembly and the Group of Eight (G8) have set the goal of achieving universal access to treatment and therapy by 2010.
Since Aids first became widely known, a quarter of a century ago, 25 million people have died.
In one positive development, US President George W Bush recently won backing to triple US spending on combating the syndrome.In one positive development, US President George W Bush recently won backing to triple US spending on combating the syndrome.
They used to separate out my plate, my spoon, my cup, fearing they would catch Aids Alejandro class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7537830.stm">Progress and setbacks in Aids battle But in some countries like Russia and China, and even Germany and the UK, the rates of infection are rising, the BBC's Duncan Kennedy reports from Mexico City. But in some countries like Russia and China, and even Germany and the UK, the rates of infection are rising, the BBC's Duncan Kennedy reports from Mexico City.
In the US, better detection methods have just shown the figures there have been underestimated by about 30%.In the US, better detection methods have just shown the figures there have been underestimated by about 30%.
And in Africa, home to 70% of cases, access to the right drugs is improving but there are not enough health care workers to administer them.And in Africa, home to 70% of cases, access to the right drugs is improving but there are not enough health care workers to administer them.
There are concerns, too about the human rights of sufferers who are often too scared to seek treatment. There are concerns too about the human rights of sufferers who are often too scared to seek treatment.
It all means that the 17th international HIV/Aids conference has much to discuss, our correspondent says.