Obama Sets New AIDS Target

President Barack Obama marked World AIDS Day Thursday by announcing that the U.S. will attempt to treat 6 million people worldwide for HIV by 2013, a 2 million increase from the administration’s current goal.

Speaking at a forum at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., the President also said the U.S. would step-up AIDS prevention and treatment domestically, promising $35 million for drug assistance programs at the state level and $15 million to help support HIV clinics across the U.S.

“This fight is not over. Not for the 1.2 million Americans who are living with HIV right now,” Obama said. “It can’t be over for anybody in this room and it certainly isn’t over for your President.”

The President was joined via satellite by former President George W. Bush, whom Obama praised for his establishing a program to combat AIDS in Africa while in office.

“I believe that history will record the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief as one of his greatest legacies,” Obama said. “That program — more ambitious than even the leading advocates thought was possible at the time — has saved thousands and thousands and thousands of lives.”

The Worlds Aid Day forum was attended by pop stars Bono from the rock band U2 and singer-songwriter Alicia Keys.

World AIDS Day takes place annually on December 1^st.