U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Dick Lugar, along with Committee Chairman John Kerry, met with Executive Director of UNAIDS Michael Sidibé, Sir Elton John and Annie Lennox today.
The group met to discuss solutions to continue to fight HIV/AIDS both overseas and in the United States.
"HIV/AIDS relief, in the form of programs such as the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has a history of bipartisan support," said Lugar. "It is important for these programs to continue with support from both Republicans and Democrats. Additionally, as we continue the important work to eradicate HIV/AIDS, we must engage the youth of the world through various social media platforms to combat this disease."
In 2003, under the leadership of Senator Lugar as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Congress passed, in a bipartisan manner, the PEPFAR which was reauthorized, with Lugar's support, in 2008. He continues to be an ardent defender of funding for the program. Lugar was also the author of theAssistance for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children in Developing Countries Act of 2005 and he continues to fight for HIV/AIDS funding to serve these children.