AIDS meet ends with calls for cash

In a blunt appraisal of work so far, a coalition of leaders at the closing ceremony of the world AIDS forum said failure and inaction had contributed to the 20 million AIDS deaths since the early 1980s and vowed to step up the fight against the disease.

"We are ashamed that in 2004 some 38 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and fighting the same battles after two decades," said the Bangkok Leadership statement at the end of the six-day conference in the Thai capital.

"Despite all that we have learned about what works in prevention and treatment, the epidemic is on the rise in every region.

"We recognise that we have not done enough to protect people from new infections. We have not done enough to provide access to affordable treatment and care to all those who need it."

The communique was drafted under the patronage of Graca Machel, the wife of former South African president Nelson Mandela, in the name of health ministers and representatives from churches, youth groups, women's organisations and armed forces who took part in the conference.

The six-day forum has been marked by rows over funding and the commitment of key world leaders in combating the epidemic that now threatens Asia and Eastern Europe with a similar disaster that has hit sub-Saharan Africa.

In a colourful closing ceremony in the Thai capital, Mandela and India's ruling Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi headed a cast of high-ranking politicians and activists calling for unity, and hard cash, to tackle the epidemic.

"I cannot rest until I am certain that the global response is sufficient to turn the tide of the epidemic," said Mandela, who announced this year that he was stepping out of the public limelight.

"Allow me to enjoy my retirement by showing that you can rise to the challenge," he said before receiving a standing ovation from delegates.