Motlanthe had led the South African delegation to the 19th International Aids Conference on Sunday, which presented new scientific knowledge and offered many opportunities for structured dialogue on the major issues facing the global response to HIV.
The conference, which started on Sunday was held under the theme 'Turning the Tide Together', which had been chosen to emphasise how a global and decisive commitment is crucial to change the course of the epidemic now that science is presenting promising results in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention.
In his address during the opening session of the conference, Motlanthe told delegates that South Africa has made significant strides in the fight against HIV and Aids over the last two decades.
Among the achievements are 1.7 million people being placed on treatment; 20 million people having tested for HIV during the country's long testing campaign; and the decline of mother to child transmission from 8 percent in 2008 to 3.5 percent in 2010 and to 2.7 percent in 2011, the Deputy President said.
He also thanked the people and government of the United States of America and multilateral agencies including UNAIDS for their support to South Africa in its efforts to combat HIV and urged them to continue their support to South Africa and the other African countries in the ongoing efforts to create an HIV free world.
Motlanthe was accompanied by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and Deputy Minister of Social Development Maria Ntuli.
The conference was attended by an estimated 25 000 people, including people living with HIV, social scientists, clinicians, activists, researchers and journalists.
