NASSCOM Foundation-USAID Conclave Brings CEO's Together in Fight Against AIDS

October 19, 2006

MUMBAI – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today joined India’s information technology industry in affirming their commitment to play a leadership role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Chief Executive Officers of leading Indian high technology companies participated in an HIV/AIDS conclave at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai sponsored by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) Foundation with USAID technical support.

The objective of the conclave is to galvanize Indian information technology businesses to incorporate HIV/AIDS policies into their workplaces and play an active role in the overall fight against HIV/AIDS. Workplace HIV/AIDS policies have been growing in importance at workplaces around the world in recent years, as more people are affected by the disease.

U.S. Consul General in Mumbai Michael Owen addressed the gathering and urged business leaders in the information technology sector to make a strong commitment to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India. Referring to the joint statement on HIV/AIDS made by U.S. President Bush and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last year, Owen said: “We are working in cooperation with the Government of India to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS in India. As a result of the joint declaration between our two leaders, the U.S. has worked with private sector and corporate partners to launch the ‘Indo-U.S. Corporate Fund for HIV/AIDS’ in India.”

Sujatha Rao, Director General of the National AIDS Control Organization, encouraged the corporate leaders present to adopt workplace intervention programs on HIV/AIDS. Kiran Karnik, President of NASSCOM; and Neeraj Bhargava, Chief Executive Officer of WNS were present at the event.

Related Link: Read full text of the speech