Paris (AFP)

Line Renaud, at the origin of the Sidaction association with Pierre Bergé, launched a vibrant appeal on Thursday evening "to maintain the sacred fire in the very long war against AIDS, and win the victories expected for 35 years".

"Today, in 2020, I tell you in all sincerity: the fight against AIDS is a ship that is dangerously rocking. It is rocking because a certain public opinion suggests that this war waged for 30 years would be won, that nothing could be further from the truth! "said Line Renaud, who chaired the annual fashion dinner against AIDS in Paris, organized by Sidaction and the French Haute Couture Federation, and which brought together numerous personalities.

"Nothing today should divert us from the ultimate goal that we have set for ourselves: the eradication of the disease! Yes, progress is numerous and spectacular (...) We still do not have any vaccine and the marginalization of HIV-positive people remain tenacious, "added the actress, alongside Nobel Prize winner Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, co-discoverer of HIV, both heads of Sidaction.

Mrs Barré-Sinoussi estimated that "research must not lower the foot otherwise we risk to see the + re-emergence + of the HIV aids in the world".

"Access to screening and treatment must continue. The solution will come from research," added the president of Sidaction.

Prince Joachim of Denmark, very committed to the fight against AIDS, the French Minister of Culture Franck Riester, the singer Pascal Obispo, the actresses Isabelle Huppert, Monica Bellucci, Béatrice Dalle, Rossy de Palma, Ornella Muti and Sandrine Kiberlain, couturiers Jean Paul Gaultier and Bouchra Jarrar, stylists Inès de la Fressange, Chantal Thomass, Vanessa Seward, Simon Porte Jacquemus and Vincent Darré were among the 450 participants in the 18th fashion dinner against AIDS.

During the evening, 780,000 euros were collected, against 650,000 euros last year. Half of the donations collected finance research and care programs and the other half, prevention and aid programs for the sick in France and in developing countries.

According to the latest UNAIDS figures (2018), 37.9 million people are living with HIV and more than one in three people still do not have access to treatment.

© 2020 AFP