"Our important task is to stop HIV/AIDS from spreading," he said in his address to a function marking the event.
Only by intensifying cooperation among all parties could the deadly disease be conquered some time in the future, the vice president said.
Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar who was also chief of the event`s organizing committee said nearly 85 percent of those affected by AIDS were in their productive age.
Therefore, he added that through the commemoration of the 2011 World AIDS Day his side would continue to encourage the people to improve their knowledge about the danger of AIDS and commit themselves to prevent the disease from spreading.
The minister expressed a hope that employers would no longer discriminate against their AIDS-affected employees.
The World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 worldwide. The commemoration of the World AIDS Day 2011 in Indonesia was themed protecting workers and business world from HIV/AIDS.
Also present at the event were Transportation Minister EE Mangindaan and Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo.
About 6,700 people including students, workers, businessmen, government officers and non-governmental organization activists took part in the event.
On the occasion, the vice president also launched AIDS prevention campaigns with a slogan "I am proud I know." (*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
