KATHMANDU, Dec 5 (AFP) - Nepalese Crown Prince Dipendra Tuesday stressed the need for united efforts to contain and control the HIV/AIDS epidemic, state-run radio announced.

"HIV/AIDS has now become a problem that no one can afford to ignore," the prince said, inaugurating a convention on HIV/AIDS organised jointly by the ministry of health, United States Aid (USAID), Family Health International and others.

"Globally, over 40 million people -- almost double the population of Nepal -- will have been infected by the end of this year, with the majority being in the developing countries."

HIV/AIDs has severe economic as well as social ramifications, he said, pointing out that the disease is most prevalent in the economically active age groups.

"The centre of gravity of AIDS is now shifting from sub-Saharan Africa to South Asia," he said.

"We, as a nation, are at a crossroads as HIV/AIDS in Nepal is still in a 'concentrated epidemic' form, and studies in this field suggest that reaching a large majority of the infected core groups now could contain the infection before it reaches epidemic proportions in the general population," said the prince.

He said education and awareness of the disease were of utmost importance for both prevention and containment. It was also essential to dispel myths about HIV/AIDS, establish the facts and address the issue with urgency, he said.

Various government and non-government organizations as well as individuals continued to make significant contributions in this field, he said.

Minister for Health Ram Baran Yadav said: "Preventive measures against AIDS were adopted as soon as the first case of the disease was found in Nepal and at present the ministry of health as well as other ministries, NGOs and INGOs are engaged in anti-AIDS work."

US Ambassador to Nepal Ralph Frank said Nepal could learn from the example of Thailand where progress in the fight against the disease had been made under the leadership of the Thai royal family.

Stephen J. Mills of Family Health International-Thailand said: "AIDS can be controlled through openness".

In Nepal, some 1,778 persons have contracted HIV/AIDS while 445 of them have full blown AIDS and 142 have died of it, according to Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital.

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