Aishwarya Rai says she strongly believes that every baby should be born free from HIV
United Nations:
Indian actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was today appointed as the new international Goodwill Ambassador for UNAIDS, the joint UN programme on AIDS and HIV.
The announcement was made at the UN headquarters here by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe on the sidelines of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.
In her new role, she will help raise awareness on issues related to stopping new HIV infections in children andadvocate for increased access to anti-retroviral treatment. "I am honoured to accept this appointment. Spreadingawareness on health issues specially related to women and children has always been a priority for me and now as a newmother I can personally relate to this -- the joys andconcerns of every mother and the hopes that we have for our children," she said.
Her main focus will be to advocate for the global plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among childrenand keeping their mothers alive. This plan was launched at the UN in June 2011 and focuses on 22 countries including India,which account for more than 90 per cent of all new HIVinfections among children.
Rai said she strongly believes that every baby should beborn free from HIV. "I promise that with UNAIDS I will do myutmost to make this happen," she said. Sidibe said through Aishwarya's global outreach he isconvinced that she will be able to help UNAIDS reach its goalof eliminating new HIV infections among children by 2015.UNAIDS, which is focused on working towards universalaccess to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support, said34.2 million people were living with HIV in 2011.
The new appointment will be one of Rai's first and mostimportant associations with the United Nations. Last week, shehad joined UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and renownedHollywood actor Michael Douglas at a ceremony here tocommemorate the International Day of Peace.She had also addressed a large group of students fromvaried backgrounds during a panel discussion on 'SustainablePeace for a Sustainable Future'.
Later today, she would meet India's PermanentRepresentative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri.Bachchan's father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan had served asthe International Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
The announcement was made at the UN headquarters here by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe on the sidelines of the 67th session of the UN General Assembly.
In her new role, she will help raise awareness on issues related to stopping new HIV infections in children andadvocate for increased access to anti-retroviral treatment. "I am honoured to accept this appointment. Spreadingawareness on health issues specially related to women and children has always been a priority for me and now as a newmother I can personally relate to this -- the joys andconcerns of every mother and the hopes that we have for our children," she said.
Her main focus will be to advocate for the global plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among childrenand keeping their mothers alive. This plan was launched at the UN in June 2011 and focuses on 22 countries including India,which account for more than 90 per cent of all new HIVinfections among children.
Rai said she strongly believes that every baby should beborn free from HIV. "I promise that with UNAIDS I will do myutmost to make this happen," she said. Sidibe said through Aishwarya's global outreach he isconvinced that she will be able to help UNAIDS reach its goalof eliminating new HIV infections among children by 2015.UNAIDS, which is focused on working towards universalaccess to HIV treatment, prevention, care and support, said34.2 million people were living with HIV in 2011.
The new appointment will be one of Rai's first and mostimportant associations with the United Nations. Last week, shehad joined UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and renownedHollywood actor Michael Douglas at a ceremony here tocommemorate the International Day of Peace.She had also addressed a large group of students fromvaried backgrounds during a panel discussion on 'SustainablePeace for a Sustainable Future'.
Later today, she would meet India's PermanentRepresentative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri.Bachchan's father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan had served asthe International Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
