African Union Chairman, President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria on Monday advocated effective multi-sectoral approaches to fighting the scourge of HIV/AIDS in Africa.

In his opening remarks at the launch of the Pan African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS during the ongoing International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually-Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), Obasanjo said the public and private sectors must join hands to fight the pandemic.

"This is a unique accession and it demonstrates our new commitment to the peoples of Africa," said Obasanjo. "Today also represents the rededication of governments and businesses to a new partnership: a partnership for life and progress."

The Nigerian leader recalled that his discussion at a breakfast meeting with the business sector in Nigeria had culminated in the establishment of the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA) which now takes a continental shape.

"The time for lip service is gone, the days of fence-sitting and superficial responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic are gone," he said.

"This is the time to show resolve, commitment and focus. This is the time to build viable and serious networks, and this is the time when, once again, the public and private sectors must join hands to fight against a pandemic that could destroy us all."

He stated that the launch of the Pan African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS was a clear signal to the entire world that "Africa means business and that our businesses are ready to identify with, and work for progress."

"Let us take a good look at the damage and dislocations caused by HIV/AIDS and let us realize that history will not forgive us all if we fail to plan, think, organize, strategize, and work together now."

Under the theme of "HIV/AIDS and the Family," the six-day ICASA opened in Nigeria's capital Abuja on Sunday with about 7,500 delegates from across the world, a majority of whom are from Africa, in attendance.

Africa has just over 10 percent of the world's population but is home to more than 60 percent of the people living with the AIDS virus.

According to a recent UNAIDS report, about 25.8 million Africans are living with HIV, almost one million more than in 2003.An estimated 2.4 million people died of HIV-related illness on the continent in 2005, while a further 3.2 million became infected with HIV.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2005)