The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV (UNAIDS) has reiterated that leadership is essential for an effective response to HIV.

In messages to mark World AIDS Day today, Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and Guyana's Country Coordinator Dr Ruben del Prado both emphasized this.

Del Prado called on all Guyanese to pay heed to the theme, 'Stop AIDS keep the promise - Leadership'.

Del Prado said persons living with and affected by HIV and AIDS should take up the leadership role in the fight against the disease. He said person living with the disease are increasingly creating changes through advocacy. "The time is over when persons who are disadvantaged think they don't have power… they are a voice and a vote and HIV positive people can take a leading role in policy decisions that affect their lives."

He said anyone must be able to stand up and say, "I have HIV, so what". He added the response to HIV requires bold leadership and innovation and leaders in the business community have an opportunity and responsibility to utilize their expertise, influence and business expertise.

He further called on youths to take up their roles.

The call was also made for religious and other organizations to take up the leadership role as well.

"This World AIDS Day highlights both political leadership needed to fulfil commitments that have been made in the response to HIV, particularly the promise of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support," Del Prado noted.

Dr Piot called for sustained leadership to keep AIDS at the top of the agenda and to accelerate action at all levels. He said leaders should not become complacent since this would be fatal. "Sustaining leadership and accelerating action on AIDS isn't something just for politicians… it involves religious leaders, community, youth and council leaders, chief executives and trade union leaders," he added.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also called for persons to use the theme of World AIDS Day 2007 to challenge themselves. He noted that without showing leadership the world would never get ahead of the epidemic. "Today I call for renewed leadership in eradicating stigma associated with HIV… I applaud the brave individuals who live openly with HIV, who advocate tirelessly for the rights of the HIV-positive, who educate others about the disease," the Secretary General said.

He further called for leadership among governments in fully understanding the epidemic, so that resources go where they are most needed. "And I call for leadership at all levels to step up the work to scale up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010," he added.

Meanwhile a number of non-governmental organizations and the Ministry of Health have a number of activities planned for today.

These include candlelight vigils, walks, religious services and outreach programmes with young people, workers, members of the disciplined forces and faith based organizations.