United Press International - Friday, 1 June 2001
Martin Walker, Chief International Correspondent

"As 42 percent of U.S. exports go to markets in the developing world, the negative impact of AIDS on American business should be obvious," Annan said. "The business community needs to get involved to protect its bottom line."

The bill for a global AIDS campaign in lower- and middle-income countries would be close to $10 billion -- five times more than government, citizens and international donors are currently spending.

"It may sound like a lot, but Harvard has estimated that AIDS has already cost the world more than $500 billion," Annan said. "So $10 billion a year to defeat seems reasonable -- indeed, a bargain."

"AIDS affects business," he said. "The spread of the pandemic has caused business costs to expand and markets to shrink."

He said AIDS disrupted economies because it killed people in the prime of their lives. He said it tended to strike urban centers, the better educated, the leadership elite and the most productive members of society.

Annan won two standing ovations from the chamber, which, as the world's largest business federation, represents 3 million companies, 3,000 state and local chambers, 800 business associations and 87 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.

They responded warmly to his pledge to respect intellectual property rights and patents, and to "work closely with the pharmaceutical industry -- companies need incentives to continue their research."

"I come to you, the leaders of American business, representatives of one of the greatest forces in the world, but one which has yet to be fully utilized in the campaign against HIV/AIDS," Annan said. "It is time we tapped your strength to the full."

He cited examples from around the world of businesses that had made a difference.

In Brazil, Volkswagen had launched an HIV prevention and education campaign in the workplace. Within three years, the company saw a 90 percent drop in hospitalization rates among HIV-positive workers and a 40 percent drop in the cost of treatment and care.

"This led to increased productivity, reduced absenteeism, reduced the loss of employees to AIDS and higher morale in the workforce," Annan said. "Ad a result, many families kept their breadwinners and many children still have their parents."

In Thailand, some insurance companies have started giving preferential rates to companies that developed HIV programs in the workplace, and have seen direct benefits through lower medical costs and gaining new business.
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