New figures released for World AIDS Day on Wednesday show over 33 million people had HIV in 2009. Speaking in Brazil, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé called on world leaders to meet commitments on increasing access to treatment.

Michel Sidibé: “This day is a particular day, like we all are here. It is for me a day to honor 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS. It is a day to remember that 25 million people died from this disease, and it is a day to recommit ourselves. Like these young people said, we have 10 million people waiting for treatment. Those people’s life is hanging in the balance. They don’t know when they will have access to treatment. They don’t know if they will be with us tomorrow.”