The International AIDS Conference continued in Washington, D.C., on Monday with a keynote speech by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Addressing the conference’s opening session, Clinton touted the Obama administration’s reversal of a 20-year-old ban that prevented people infected with HIV from entering the United States. Clinton also said the United States seeks to achieve an ”AIDS-free generation.”

Hillary Clinton: “Let me say five words we have not been able to say for too long: 'Welcome to the United States.' I’ve heard a few voices from people raising questions about America’s commitment to an AIDS-free generation, wondering whether we are really serious about achieving it. Well, I am here today to make it absolutely clear: the United States is committed and will remain committed to achieving an AIDS-free generation. We will not back off. We will not back down. We will fight for the resources necessary to achieve this historic milestone.”

Protests have been held around the conference to oppose U.S. policies banning the inclusion of sex workers and to call for increased funding of AIDS treatment worldwide. A march on the White House is scheduled for today to push for a “Robin Hood” tax on Wall Street transactions to fund global AIDS programs.