“I am pleased that Ambassador Holbrooke and the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) have opened a South African office and are embarking on an effort to engage more African business leaders and their companies in the fight against AIDS.

We are encouraged by the commitment of the private sector to move beyond the conventional AIDS rhetoric, towards action and active engagement with the pandemic and its devastating impact. To date too few companies have engaged meaningfully with AIDS. Money has been invested in critical research around economic impacts of the disease focusing largely on the impact of AIDS on productivity and profitability. However, research on its own is not sufficient. This partnership will allow us to design and implement workplace policies which will target stigma and discrimination in the workplace and provide access to counseling and care for those infected and affected. A better workplace response to AIDS will also take into account the needs of the communities that businesses serve.

We have said before that AIDS must not only be seen as a health issue. It must also not only be seen to be only about economic development. Our response must address human development. We will be paying careful attention to this exciting development and look forward to receiving positive feedback.”