World Aids Day was marked with events around the world designed to raise awareness of a disease that is now estimated to have infected 50m people world-wide.

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India

In Bombay, a bullock-cart carries the so-called 'AIDS demon' to inform people on the use of condoms and the necessity of having safe sex.

Germany

On the eve of World AIDS Day, 700 people light candles on a red ribbon in Berlin, after a funeral march for the victims of AIDS.

The red ribbon is symbolic of the solidarity with people who are HIV infected, and the people who have died of AIDS.

USA

Members of the Aids pressure group ACT-UP, protest against US Aids policies during a demonstration outside the White House.

Ten were arrested during the demonstration.

China

A Chinese man looks at a poster promoting Aids awareness on a sidewalk in Beijing.

Health authorities held an awareness rally ahead of International Aids Day.

The Chinese Health Ministry has estimated that more than 10 million Chinese could be infected with Aids by 2010.

Thailand

A Thai schoolboy sits on a city bus in Bangkok above an advertisement of smiling condoms, part of a campaign to fight against Aids.

Thailand is the first Asian nation to be heavily affected by HIV/Aids, with two percent of the 60 million population reportedly infected with the disease.

Philippines

Councillor Justo C Justo, (second right), and Roman Catholic Priest Father Richard Mickley (left) fit a "condom" to a huge phallic symbol prior to releasing it in the air to mark World Aids Day in Pasay City.