Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - July 17, 2004
Preeyanat Phanayanggoor
Mr Mandela said he had already announced his retirement from public life but the fight against the pandemic was one of the greatest challenges facing the world, which had deferred his plan.
"Allow me to enjoy my retirement by showing that you can rise to the challenge," said the former president, who received a standing ovation after his speech to close the 15th International Aids Conference.
Mr Mandela called for renewed commitment and "the will to do it" in the fight against Aids.
"History will surely judge us harshly if we do not respond with all the energy and resources that we can bring to bear in the fight against HIV/Aids," he told the conference.
Sonia Gandhi, leader of India's ruling National Congress party, said India would provide more anti-retroviral drug therapy, more funding, increase the role of non-governmental organisations, and improve education and health services.
"While I do agree there is no room for complacency, I would like to take this opportunity to assert the determination and ability of the government and the people of India to meet this daunting challenge," she said.
Ms Gandhi, who arrived in Bangkok on Thursday to join the last day of the meeting, promised the battle would be as effective as a campaign the country once waged against small pox.
United Nations agencies say Aids cases in India and China could increase rapidly, given their huge population and poor health services.
A statement issued at the end of the meeting said leaders of all groups, including governments and the private sector, pledged to improve the quality of life of people infected with the disease, prevent further infections and work to change negative attitudes towards Aids patients.
They also promised to boost preventative measures, care and treatment, as well as putting more money and resources into the issue. "We are ashamed that in 2004 about 38 million people are living with HIV/Aids and fighting the same battles after two decades," they said in the "leadership statement".
"Despite all we have learned about what works in prevention and treatment, the epidemic is on the rise in every region," it said.
"We recognise that we have not done enough to protect people from new infections. We have not done enough to provide access to affordable treatment and care to all those who need it," the statement said.
Aid workers issued their own statement calling for recognition and respect for their lives, better access to HIV/Aids information and equipment and resources to provide effective care to all.
Graca Machel, patron of the leadership programme, said she wanted an end to "promises made, promises broken". Government, social and and science leaders must take fullest responsibility to fight the pandemic. "We must make sure that in 20 years' time, when my granddaughter's generation looks back, we can say we deserved to be called leaders because we took our responsibility at the fullest."
David Bryden, of the Global Aids Alliance, called for G7 countries to extend the debt cancellation to developing countries particularly in sub-Sahara Africa. Heavy debt burdens hampered the HIV/Aids prevention and care programmes in those countries.
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