President Barack Obama On Monday issued his annual World AIDS Day proclamation.

December 1 has been designated as World AIDS Day every year since 1988. World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic and mourn those lost to the disease.

“On World AIDS Day, we remember those who we have lost to HIV/AIDS, celebrate the triumphs earned through the efforts of scores of advocates and providers, pledge our support for those at risk for or living with HIV, and rededicate our talents and efforts to achieving our goal of an AIDS-free generation,” Obama said.

The president lauded the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) for allowing “more people to access coverage for preventative services like HIV testing” and prohibiting insurance companies from discriminating against individuals with HIV/AIDS or any other pre-existing condition.

He also highlighted the goals of his administration's National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which was released in 2010.

“Earlier this year, I signed an Executive Order to update the Strategy through 2020, focusing on expanding HIV testing and care, widening support for those living with HIV to stay in comprehensive care, promoting universal viral suppression among individuals infected with HIV, and increasing access to preventive measures, including pre-exposure prophylaxis for people at substantial risk of acquiring HIV,” Obama said.

The president also announced new targets for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. initiative that reaches millions suffering from the disease, primarily in Africa.

“This year, I announced new targets for PEPFAR that aim to provide almost 13 million people with life-saving treatment by the end of 2017,” Obama said. “The United States is also committing resources to support PEPFAR’s work to achieve a 40 percent decrease in HIV incidence among young women and girls in the most vulnerable areas of sub-Saharan Africa.”

Obama concluded: “On this day, let us pay tribute to those whom HIV/AIDS took from us too soon, and let us recognize those who continue to fight for a world free from AIDS. Let us also recognize researchers, providers, and advocates, who work each day on behalf of people living with HIV, and in honor of the precious lives we have lost to HIV. Together, we can forge a future in which no person – here in America or anywhere in our world – knows the pain or stigma caused by HIV/AIDS.”