POP/628

AIDS CLOCK EXHIBITION TO OPEN AT UNITED NATIONS

3 December 1996


Press Release
POP/628


AIDS CLOCK EXHIBITION TO OPEN AT UNITED NATIONS

19961203 NEW YORK, 3 December (UNFPA) -- An "AIDS clock", which ticks off the increasing global number of HIV/AIDS cases and features a constantly changing collage of images of a world living with the disease, will be on display at the United Nations in the First Basement of the Secretariat Building from 3 to 22 December.

The hand of the AIDS clock sweeps around, ticking off a new HIV infection every 12 seconds. The theme of the exhibit is how to prevent the spread of the HIV infection which leads to AIDS. The display emphasizes responsible sexual behaviour as a means of preventing HIV transmission, but it reminds viewers of the need to care for people living with HIV/AIDS, comfort the bereaved, work for prevention and seek a cure.

Low-income countries are among the hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the display points out, and the least able to cope with its ravages. They need assistance to provide information and advice on prevention, as well as care and treatment.

Prepared by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), the AIDS clock is part of a major UNFPA exhibit that has been at all the major United Nations conferences over the past two years, beginning with the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994).

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For information media. Not an official record.