Most of the strategies that allow people infected with HIV in the developed world to live productive lives can work in poor countries as well, the International AIDS Conference in Toronto was told on Monday.

Bill Clinton, the former U.S. president, and Microsoft chair Bill Gates made the point while outlining their priorities to end the epidemic. Both talked about the successes and the challenges of bringing antiretroviral therapies to people in developing countries.

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton, right, and Bill Gates take questions at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto on Monday.
(Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

"It's a breathtaking human tragedy," said Clinton. "Most people don't die of it in rich countries anymore and most people who get it in poor countries do. It's unacceptable."

In Africa, where the stigma of diagnosis with HIV prevents people from seeking treatment, it takes well-respected people in the community to spread the word about how the treatments have helped them to live, according to Clinton.

"We're still behind the eight ball and we've got to continue to fight stigma and continue to stop people from being scared of knowing their status and stop them of being afraid of being tested," he said.

Gates agreed, saying in India people who were HIV-positive needed a safe place to talk with each other about behavioural changes, such as how to negotiate the use of condoms.

Gates and his wife, Melinda, head a foundation that has donated $500 million US to fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

"There's nothing simple about this cause," Gates said of his AIDS philanthropy. "It's not one that people pick because they think you're going to be solving anything in any such time frame. It's got to be a lifelong endeavour."

But Gates said he gains optimism by visiting and talking with people throughout the world who are benefiting from the donations, and by drawing on the energy of scientists and activists. 

Developing health infrastructure, nutritious crops, water and sanitation in developing countries will help make people healthy and build economic prosperity, Clinton said.

There is no shortage of human intelligence and dreams anywhere in the world, Clinton said, adding that with resources and investment, people in the developing world will do well.