The international health group said in a news release that the opening ceremony of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial will take place in Haiti in May 2009 as part of the ongoing effort to limit the disease's spread in the country and the rest of the world.

Council head Dr. Nils Daulaire said during a World AIDS Day 20th anniversary commemoration event in Washington that the 2009 ceremony would also be supported by the non-governmental group, Promoteurs Objectif Zero Sida.

The May 17 event is intended to bring increased attention to the plight of AIDS sufferers and the need for enhanced efforts to contain the spread of the potentially deadly disease.

"The worldwide effort to stop HIV/AIDS depends now, more than ever, on making sure that community leaders understand the disease, stop the stigma and work together with all the other stakeholders in their countries to ensure the best possible delivery of prevention, treatment and care programs," he said.