Publication

I call on conference participants to adopt a bold, visionary conference declaration that answers my most difficult questions. This conference must show to the world that this region is serious about halting this epidemic. We must strengthen international and regional cooperation to ensure our successes are scaled up, sustained and expanded across the region. I also want us all to remember that in 1958, the Soviet Union proposed to the world that smallpox must be eradicated within 10 years. This led to one of the greatest global health victories of the 20th century. We cannot end the AIDS epidemic without the Russian Federation taking a decisive leadership role here in Russia, across this region and around the world.