Bachchan named U.N. goodwill ambassador

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NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- The United Nations says Bollywood icon and former Miss World winner Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has been named an international goodwill ambassador.

Rai Bachchan will focus on the organization's efforts to combat the spread of HIV infections in children, Michel Sidibe, the executive director of the joint U.N. program on HIV/AIDS, announced Monday at a news conference at U.N. Headquarters in New York.

"I am honored to accept this appointment. Spreading awareness on health issues, especially related to women and children, has always been a priority for me. And now, as a new mother, I can personally relate to this -- the joys and concerns of every mother and the hope that we have for our children," Rai Bachchan told journalists. "I strongly believe that every baby should be born free from HIV. And I wish that every woman living with HIV stays healthy and has access to treatment. I promise that with UNAIDS, I will do my utmost to make this happen."

"I am convinced that through her global outreach, Mrs. Rai Bachchan can help UNAIDS reach its goal of eliminating new HIV infections among children by 2015," Sidibe said.