A participant lights candles during global AIDS week of action in Chandigarh May 25, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Nearly 5 million people are living with HIV in Asia with 440,000 dying each year, a report by an independent commission said Wednesday.

The Commission on AIDS in Asia warned that even after two decades AIDS remains the most likely cause of death and work days lost among 15-44 years-olds in Asia.

The report, entitled "Redefining AIDS in Asia -- Crafting an effective response" was released and presented to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

It noted that at the current rate, an additional 8 million people will become newly infected by 2020, and the annual death toll will increase to almost 500,000 by that time.

"By implementing the recommendations of the commission, Asian countries can avert massive increases in infections and death, prevent economic losses and save millions of people from poverty," Ban said on hand-over of the report at the UN Headquarters.

However, the report observed that the number of people newly infected by 2020 can be kept to 3 million and the death toll to less than 300,000 if Asian leaders implement a priority program right away.

The commission recommended that an annual investment of only 30U.S. cents per capita on focused prevention programs can reverse the epidemics, adding that by spending between half a dollar to 1 dollar per capita, depending on the prevalence rate in the country,80 percent coverage of HIV prevention, treatment, care and livelihood security programs can be achieved.

Asian countries have the resources, the technology and organizational capacity for a vastly scaled up response to the AIDS epidemic, the commission said. "What is required is political will of the governments in Asia and meaningful involvement of community-based organizations in the response.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2008)