Brazil, Botswana Sign HIV/AIDS Prevention Accord

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Botswana President Festus Mogae on Tuesday signed a technical cooperation agreement to fight HIV/AIDS, Xinhuanet reports. The accord sets rules for the two countries to follow in future projects. Lula da Silva praised Botswana for showing solidarity with the African continent in the fight against HIV/AIDS (Xinhuanet, 7/27). Scientists at the 3rd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, recently lauded Botswana for its determination in curbing the epidemic, BBC News reports. Nearly 40% of Botswana's adult population is estimated to be HIV-positive, according to UNAIDS. Mogae said the AIDS-related death rate has fallen significantly since the country launched its national HIV/AIDS program, and the country now is providing antiretroviral treatment to almost 50,000 HIV-positive people (Lichtarowicz, BBC News, 7/26).