2.9 million people died of AIDS in 2006

About 2.9 million people died of HIV and AIDS-related illnesses worldwide in 2006, UNICEF said in an annual report issued in Abuja, Nigeria.

The report, A World Fit for Children 2007, was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on January 2. It monitors global efforts aimed at promoting the welfare of children in developing countries.

The report also said that 4.3 million new HIV infections were recorded in 2006. "In many countries, new infections are heavily concentrated among young people aged 15-24, who accounted for 40% of the 4.3 million new HIV infections in 2006," the agency said. "New evidence suggests declining HIV prevalence in some countries as a result of young people adopting safer sexual behaviors," it added.