During a World AIDS Day speech, President Barack Obama set new goals for U.S. investment in the fight against HIV/AIDS, The Associated Press (AP) reports. Specifically, he pledged to help secure antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for 6 million people by the end of 2013 in countries most affected by HIV. This is an increase of 2 million from the original U.S. goal. Obama pledged to reach other goals, such as providing ARVs for 1.5 million pregnant women worldwide so their children can be born without the virus, distributing 1 billion condoms in developing countries, and funding 4.7 million voluntary male circumcisions in eastern and southern Africa, all by the end of 2013. In addition, he pledged an additional $50 million in domestic spending on HIV treatment.

Officials noted that the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which funds relief efforts in 15 countries, is not expected to see a budget increase. Instead, Obama’s new goals are to be met by saving money on lowered treatment costs and cutting inefficiency and waste in existing programs.

Obama made his remarks during "The Beginning of the End of AIDS" event in Washington, DC, at George Washington University.

Watch video of the event:

To read the AP article, click here.

To read a transcript of Obama’s World AIDS Day remarks, click here.