As we usher in the New Year and proudly bring you the largest-ever issue of Business & AIDS, this seems like an opportune time to discuss the critically important Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

An independent public-private partnership, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria was first proposed by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in 2001. When it became operational in 2002, The Global Fund's explicit purpose was to raise funds and pool money from governments, individuals, and businesses around the world, and channel it into programs fighting AIDS, TB and Malaria. As a member of the French business community and the Global Business Coalition's Vice-Chairman, I am pleased to inform you about two recent events that should greatly benefit The Global Fund.

In 2005, GBC was designated the official private sector focal point to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In this role, we aim to develop innovative ways to increase business participation in The Global Fund. For this reason, we are thrilled to support the Red Campaign, which was just launched in Davos to raise awareness about and funds for the Fund. Building on business core-competencies, Red aims to deliver a sustainable flow of private sector money to the Fund, a great development.

I mention The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria not only because it is crucial to combating AIDS but also because this fifth issue of Business & AIDS elucidates its importance and the work to which we must all dedicate ourselves. Inside, you will read about Eastern Europe's AIDS crisis, the risky business of human trafficking, and important developments in microbicidal research. Three very different testing-themed articles explain why this strategy is essential to combating the epidemic. An expanded book review section will encourage you to read up on the AIDS crisis. Special editorials from our technical director and the Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA) serve as final reminders that overcoming AIDS mandates a global effort and myriad collaborations.