European Commission tops a billion euros invested in the fight against the global AIDS epidemic; clears new pandemic flu vaccine use

On the eve of World AIDS Day 2009 (December 1), the European Commission announced that it has invested over 1 billion euros($1.5 billion) in the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and Malaria. As a founding member of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria, the Commission has to date pledged 1,072.5 million euros covering the period 2002-2010 and has recently made new policy commitments to do more, better, together.

According to the latest figures, new HIV infections have been reduced by 17% over the past eight years and that the most progress is seen in sub-Saharan Africa. However worldwide, the number of people living with HIV now reaches 33 million, with the fastest spread of the epidemic occurring on the threshold of the European Union, in the neighbouring countries of Eastern Europe.

Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Karel De Gucht said: "Despite recent hopeful trends, it is a fact that more than 2 million people die from AIDS every year, with 70% of these deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa. AIDS remains the most deadly virus of our time and the EU, as the biggest donor worldwide, is committed to do more in the fight against AIDS."

Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said: "We need to renew and refocus our actions to where they are most needed. In Europe today, the number of new infections is increasing among certain groups and in specific regions. There is no time for complacency. Prevention and early testing are still the best weapons in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

European Commission Action:

* As the world's largest donor, the European Union has collectively provided the majority of the significant increase in recent years of international financing earmarked for HIV/AIDS;