[…] In his opening remarks, Ambassador Francis Rooney highlighted the United States’ 15 billion dollar commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) active in 120 countries. The Ambassador stressed the need for collaboration between faith-based and secular organizations in battling HIV/AIDS. He made a special note of the excellent work being done by faith-based organizations throughout the world, including many Catholic NGOs.