UNITED NATIONS, May 15, 2006 (AFP) - Renowned British-Australian actress Naomi Watts agreed Monday to serve as UN special envoy for the global fight against AIDS and to help break down the stigma surrounding the scourge.
Watts made the announcement at a packed press conference here following her week-long fact-finding trip to Zambia where she said she was inspired by "the commitment, courage and emotional fortitude of those who are on the frontline of this fight."
"The most important message we can deliver right now is the need to fight AIDS on a global level," the 37-year-old "King Kong" star told reporters.
She said that although AIDS had not been a central concern for her up to now, "recent statistics make it impossible for anyone of us to ignore ... Given the stark realities, I can no longer stand on the sidelines, so I am grateful to be given this opportunity to do my small part."
"It's hard to believe that 25 million people have already died from AIDS and nearly 40 million more are now living with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)," she added.
"As a special representative for the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Miss Watts will use her enormous talent and profile to raise AIDS awareness and give a greater voice to the needs of people living with HIV worldwide," said UNAIDS deputy executive director Deborah Landey, a Canadian.
She noted that Watts would help "break down the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV-positive people".
Landey used the occasion to officially launch a new UNAIDS global campaign called "4 for everyone", a reference a comprehensive response to the disease: prevention, treatment, care and support for all those who need it.
Less than one in five people at risk of becoming infected with HIV has access to prevention services and one in five has access to treatment in low and middle-income countries, she added.
Landey also announced that Watts would attend a high-level meeting here late this month to review progress countries have made in tackling AIDS since a special General Assembly session in 2001.
The review conference, scheduled from May 31 to June 2, will hear a report from UN chief Kofi Annan on progress made until the end of last year.
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