This week, the 19th International AIDS Conference—AIDS 2012– is taking place in Washington D.C. This conference is the premiere biannual gathering for all those working or active in the field of HIV/AIDS. Here, participants take stock of the HIV response, share recent scientific developments and collectively chart a course forward. For UNICEF, the conference is an opportunity to renew the commitment to achieve an AIDS-free generation by 2015.

Did you know that mobile technology can actually help save children’s lives? I certainly didn’t. But when put to use in the field, especially in remote areas where healthcare may be far away and where information is often difficult to access, a mobile phone can make a life-or-death difference. Mobile phones help span the distance between people who need help and those who can help them, and mobile technology lets data be analyzed quickly, so that children and mothers who need treatment can get it right away.

The AIDS pandemic is one that was born and reached its peak in our lifetime—many still remember when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control first recognized the disease in 1981. Since then, it has caused the deaths of more than 46 million individuals. Today, through the work of UNICEF and its partners, we have an unprecedented opportunity to wipe the disease from this planet by virtually eliminating all new HIV infections among children within the next three years. How can we accomplish this? It starts by believing in zero.

Every day 1,000 children are newly infected with HIV, and every year thousands of children under five die from this preventable illness. UNICEF is working to achieve an AIDS-free generation by 2015—taking one more step toward reaching our goal of zero children dying from preventable causes. It is a big task, but with the cooperation of governments, NGOs, health clinics, and supporters like you, we can help every child reach their fifth birthday. Here are some of the most effective ways that UNICEF is using to help keep children safe from HIV/AIDS.

Today is World AIDS Day. Learn more about progress made over the past 5 years to reduce new infections and AIDS-related deaths! If you have been following FieldNotes over the past weeks, we hope you have enjoyed learning about the journey of Mirriam, a mother in Zambia who has helped protect her son from HIV using PMTCT, or prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

This mother and son live in Zambia’s rural Samfya District. Even before he was born, baby Peter was at risk of acquiring HIV. Mirriam had just one hope for protecting him. This is their story.