Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced $80 million in new funding for global efforts against AIDS, insisting that the United States remains devoted to fighting the disease.
"The United States is committed and will remain committed to achieving an AIDS-free generation," she said.
Clinton made the announcement Monday at the International AIDS Conference, the world's largest gathering on the disease.
President Obama will not attend the event, making Clinton the highest-ranking U.S. official on hand to discuss American policy on AIDS.
The new U.S. donation will support treatments for pregnant women with HIV, voluntary circumcisions for men and several research and civil-society projects, Clinton said.
She acknowledged critics, many at the event, who believe the United States has lost focus on the AIDS fight.
"I’ve heard a few voices from people raising questions about America’s commitment," she said. "We will not back off. We will not back down."
For more on Clinton's comments, click here.
