Scientists, policy-makers and activists this week convened in Vienna, at the 18th annual AIDS conference.

UNAIDS stated that in 2008 there were 100,000 fewer AIDS-related deaths than in 2007. But the United Nations agency noted that for every two people starting treatment, a further five become infected with the virus.

The conference, which attracted 25,000 participants, focused this year on human rights.

"It is now absolutely clear that stigma, discrimination and rights violations — whether focused directly on people with HIV or on particular groups, such as women and girls, men who have sex with men, people who use drugs or trade/sell sex or young people — as well as punitive or misguided policies towards key populations most affected by HIV are major obstacles to an effective response to HIV," the conference agenda stated.

Here is a statistical examination of AIDS and HIV around the globe.