NEW YORK, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush addressed the United Nations in New York Wednesday, setting goals for fighting AIDS, malaria and avian influenza.
Speaking on the 60th anniversary of the United Nation's founding, he said the United States has joined in the largest initiative in history to combat a specific disease -- AIDS.
He challenged U.N. members to join the United States in its goal of achieving an AIDS-free generation in Africa.
Bush also cautioned nations to "remain on the offensive against new threats to public health, such as the avian Influenza."
He noted scientists say avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has the potential to become the world's first pandemic of the 21st century.
"Today I am announcing a new international partnership on avian and pandemic Influenza. The partnership requires countries that face an outbreak to immediately share information and provide samples to the World Health Organization," he said.
Bush said many nations have joined the partnership and he invited all nations to participate.
"It's essential we work together and, as we do so, we will fulfill a moral duty to protect our citizens, and heal the sick, and comfort the afflicted," he said.
