Prime Minister addresses UN on AIDS

Today in New York Prime Minister Said Musa stepped up to the podium of the UN General Assembly to address that body’s special session on HIV and AIDS. Citing an estimated infection rate of just over four percent of the population, the P.M. noted that Belize ranks ninth in the Caribbean and is near the top of Central America in per capita incidence of the virus. He said that contrary to prevailing misconceptions, the face of AIDS in Belize is young and female and that gender equality must be a critical part of any effort to promote the change in sexual behaviour required to conquer the disease. The Prime Minister ended his address by pledging to join the world community in a programme of collective action that must begin now. Also in New York for the session is a six person delegation from government and civil society.