BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) results from damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This virus reduces the effectiveness of the immune system and leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections.

    The transmission of HIV can occur through blood transfusion or sexual contact, or even be passed on from a pregnant mother to her child.

    AIDS was first recognized by a U.S. research group in 1981 and has spread worldwide rapidly since then. It is a public health issue of grave concern in the world community.

    In June 2001, heads of state and government representatives met at the UN headquarters in New York for a General Assembly Special Session dedicated to HIV/AIDS.

    The meeting resulted in the adoption of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS to guide the actions and commitment of the world community to limit or even reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS by late 2015.

    The 2008 report on the global AIDS epidemic, produced by the Joint UN Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), was released on July 29. It points out that with the combined efforts of the world community, prevention and treatment of the disease have shown distinct and enormous progress.

    The number of new HIV infections has declined from 3.2 million in 1998 to 2.5 million in 2007. Two million people died of AIDS last year, 0.2 million fewer compared to 2001 figures, the report said.

    But the spread of AIDS has not been contained. About 33 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS, among whom 22 million are in sub-Saharan Africa, followed by some 5 million in Asia and 1.7 million in Latin America. Some 1.2 million people in the United States carry HIV.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) once indicated that success in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment lies in enough funds, medicine and skilled medical staff.

    Many projects on prevention and treatment of the disease cannot be carried out due to the lack of funds. In some regions with high prevalence, the shortage of professional medical staff is extremely conspicuous.

    The world should strive to increase investment in HIV-related projects and strengthen cooperation in order to beat this threat to the human race.