African leaders commit US $40 million

Six African leaders, the UNDP and several US businesses told a New York meeting this week that they would raise US $ 40 million to fight HIV/AIDS. “Without the complete engagement of the private sector, I do not believe the war against HIV/AIDS can be won,” said Maurice Tempelsman, chair of the Corporate Council on Africa and co-chair of the UNDP-organized meeting. The event was also organized on behalf of the Southern Africa Development Community under the auspices of a UNDP-sponsored working group on HIV/AIDS in Africa. Namibian President Sam Nujoma co-chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Presidents Festus Mogae of Botswana, Muluzi Bakili of Malawi, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Prime Minister Pakalitaha Mosisili of Lesotho, UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown and UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot.