UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) warned Friday it is time to deliver universal access to prevention, treatment and support for women and girls living with or threatened by HIV/AIDS.

    "After 25 years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, we now see some progress, but more must be done," said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the UNFPA Executive Director. She stressed that it is time to deliver because the world has moved too slowly in addressing HIV and AIDS.     

    She noted that HIV infection hit the women and girls the hardest. Worldwide, their numbers continue to overtake that of men. Seventy-six percent of all HIV-positive women live in sub-Saharan Africa, while young women comprise 74 percent of 15-24 percent of all HIV-AIDS are women.

    The UN official made the remarks as the countries in the world prepares for the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto,

    UNFPA supports a comprehensive approach that combines prevention with sexual and reproductive health, Obaid said, noting that UNFPA will lead several conference panels to underline the links between reproductive health and HIV/AIDS prevention and care.

    Working with other partners, UNFPA will bring 250 young people from all over the world for a special youth pre-conference, featuring panels, satellite sessions and the opportunities for exchanging views with among youth with first-hand experience of the pandemic's impact.

    The 16th International AIDS Conference, scheduled for 13 to 18 August, will bring together world leaders, scientists, nongovernmental organizations ad HIV activists to discuss and seek solution as to why the global HIV response remains far short of needs. Enditem