I am writing this on World AIDS Day from Africa, a continent that is being ravaged by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Around the world thousands of civil society organisations are commemorating the millions of lives lost as a result of the pandemic, highlighting the various demands of people living with HIV/AIDS, and advocating for resources to prevent the spread of the pandemic and reverse its devastating effects.

This week I would like simply to pay tribute to the thousands of activists and organisations whose committed activism has placed HIV/AIDS on the global agenda. Civil society organisations have had some advocacy success in the struggle for affordable access to treatment and in ensuring that governments respond with the appropriate urgency to the crisis. However, the pandemic claims almost 6000 lives every day in Africa alone, and we should remind ourselves that this is the equivalent - in terms of the loss of human life - of two 9/11 terrorist attacks every single day. Many have asked why it is possible for hundreds of billions of dollars to be raised so quickly for the war in Iraq, while a miniscule amount of resources in comparison is offered for addressing the pandemic. Clearly, many of our governments have got their priorities seriously mixed up. While some advances have been made, primarily as a result of advocacy work done by people living with HIV/AIDS and their allies, the political will is unfortunately absent. Nice words but ineffective action are sadly all we get from the local to the global levels of governance.

I would also like to pay tribute to my friend and CIVICUS representative to the United Nations in New York, Vicente Garcia-Delgado, who has lived with the pandemic for twenty years. His celebration of life and his commitment to the poor and to justice are qualities that have won the respect of many CIVICUS members as well as supporters of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. Like so many people living with HIV/AIDS around the world, Vicente embodies the best of humanity; a deep desire to prevail against tremendous odds and a deep sense of solidarity for those that suffer because those that have the power to make a difference pay only lip service when what is needed is dedicated action and urgency. Today, let us celebrate the courage and strength of the millions of our fellow citizens who have survived the pandemic and are not willing to give up without a fight. In that spirit, to celebrate one of those millions of lives over which the pandemic hangs daily, I turn the next column over to Vicente, who will reflect on developments in Argentina, a country virtually on its knees a few years ago, in the context of international economic governance, but which today is filled with optimism and hope for the future. To Vicente and to the millions more who struggle daily with the pandemic we should say that we stand by you in solidarity, in faith, and in the firm belief that justice will prevail, treatment will be provided, lives will be saved and the pandemic will be defeated.

In peace and solidarity,

Kumi Naidoo