Safe sex message 'as important as ever'

Canberrans will pause today to remember those who have died and those who are living with HIV and AIDS.

Today marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS day with figures showing that 10 ACT residents are diagnosed with HIV every year.

Federal Health minister Nicola Roxon will launch the day at Parliament House this morning.

ACT AIDS Action Council general manager Andrew Burry says the safe sex message is as important as ever.

"In the last decade the infection rate in Australia has been slowly rising," he said.

"In the ACT and NSW the infection rate has remained relatively stable but in other areas, particularly Victoria and Queensland, there has been a significant increase."

Mr Burry says Canberrans need to take responsibility for their own health.

"The important thing to remember about HIV is that it's within our own individual power to avoid it," he said.

"So the message has always been of individual and shared responsibility. First of all it's important everybody takes care of themselves and they'll take care of themselves by following the simple rules of safe sex.