Lost in the shuffle of potential flu pandemics and the ongoing fight against cancer, it may seem like AIDS has faded to a concern we used to have. Today's observance of World AIDS day is a clear reminder that over 40 million people continue to suffer from the disease.

In 2001 the United Nations signed a Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, but at the end of 2005, there is still much work to be done. Though the World Health Organization announced its “3 by 5” program — three million people receiving free HIV treatment by the end of 2005 — another three million people succumbed to AIDS this year. Then there's the Global Fund which has big plans to give 1.8 million people antiretroviral treatment, 6.2 million people free counseling and HIV testing, and a million AIDS orphans support and care, but can't get the global funding it needs to achieve these goals.

Accountability is the theme of this year's World AIDS Day. According to UNAIDS (The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS), “This accountability refers to promises made not only in the Declaration but in other commitments made since then. From 2005 to 2010, the World AIDS Campaign will highlight the theme of “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise” to encourage governments and the international community to meet their commitments.”

Global events will commemorate World AIDS day.