Deputy Speaker, there is no doubt in any of our minds that HIV is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Several times today we have heard it echoed that dedicated leadership is vital to reaching universal access goals towards HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
We are mindful that traditional donors are cutting back funding for HIV and Aids and, therefore, innovative approaches like the pharmaceutical manufacturing plan for Africa and drug-harmonisation regulations need to be explored.
The declaration is quite ambitious, but it urges vigorous action to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV, to reduce by half the number of deaths from tuberculosis among people living with HIV, and to boost campaigns to prevent HIV transmission among the most vulnerable.
Colleagues, thank you for the collegial and constructive manner in which the declaration was debated. It is indeed a major milestone, as my colleagues said earlier, that all of us are in agreement on the challenge of HIV and Aids and are speaking in one voice.
In conclusion, I would like to quote the United Nations General Assembly President, Joseph Deiss of Switzerland, who said, "This declaration is strong, the targets are time bound and set a clear and workable road map, not only for the next five years, but beyond." I thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.