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We, the Heads of Government or Representatives of the 42 States assembled in Paris on 1 December 1994:

I. Mindful

• that the AIDS pandemic, by virtue of its magnitude, constitutes a threat to humanity,
• that its spread is affecting all societies,
• that it is hindering social and economic development, in particular of the worst affected countries, and increasing the disparities within and between countries,
• that poverty and discrimination are contributing factors in the spread of the pandemic,
• that HIV/AIDS inflicts irreparable damage on families and communities,
• that the pandemic concerns all people without distinction but that women, children and youth are becoming infected at an increasing rate,
• that it not only causes physical and emotional suffering but is often used as justification for grave violations of human rights,

Mindful Also

• that obstacles of all kinds - cultural, legal, economic and political - are hampering information, prevention, care and support efforts,
• that HIV/AIDS prevention and care and support strategies are inseparable, and hence must be an integral component of an effective and comprehensive approach to combating the pandemic,
• that new local, national and international forms of solidarity are emerging, involving in particular people living with HIV/AIDS and community-based organizations,

II. Solemnly Declare

• our obligation as political leaders to make the fight against HIV/AIDS a priority,
• our obligation to act with compassion for and in solidarity with those with HIV or at risk of becoming infected, both within our societies and internationally,
• our determination to ensure that all persons living with HIV/AIDS are able to realize the full and equal enjoyment of their fundamental rights and freedoms without distinction and under all circumstances,
• our determination to fight against poverty, stigmatization and discrimination,
• our determination to mobilize all of society - the public and private sectors, community-based organizations and people living with HIV/AIDS - in a spirit of true partnership,
• our appreciation and support for the activities and work carried out by multilateral, intergovernmental, non-governmental and community-based organizations, and our recognition of their important role in combating the pandemic,
• our conviction that only more vigorous and better coordinated action worldwide, sustained over the long term - such as that to be undertaken by the joint and cosponsored United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS - can halt the pandemic,