4th International AIDS Conference Stockholm, Sweden. — June 12-16, 1988

Int Conf AIDS. 1988 Jun 12-16;4:1.110 (abstract no. PL23)

Halfdan Mahler
Director General, World Health Organization

AIDS is a truly global epidemic, for three reasons. First, infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is worldwide. Second, to an unprecedented extent, people around the world have heard about AIDS. Finally, the world is aware that AIDS is global and is a growing global threat.

The concept of cooperation across borders is as ancient as the concept of common interest - yet only problems which deeply affect the self-interest of each and all are eligible to become genuine global concerns. AIDS, with all the uncertainties surrounding it, is a problem of this magnitude. This was the message from the 40th World Health Assembly and the 42nd United Nations General Assembly, and it was implicit in the Declaration of Alma-Ata ten years ago. The Alma-Ata Declaration stated: "all countries should cooperate ... since the attainment of health by people in any one country directly concerns and benefits every other country." The World Health Organization is a symbol of that global perspective and WHO is directing and coordinating the global fight against AIDS. In AIDS, cooperation across borders is our destiny.

880612
PL23

Copyright © 1988 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.