Bono is among a stellar group of musicians joining forces with Nelson Mandela to highlight the global AIDS crisis.

Anastacia, Baaba Maal, Beyonce, Johnny Clegg, The Corrs, Eurythmics, Moloko, Ladysmith Black Mombaza, Queen, and Zucchero are among those who will take part in a globally televised concert in Cape Town next month.

The 46664 campaign (Nelson Mandela's prison number on Robben Island for 18 years) is calling for people to give one minute and
- join a global petition via local call-in numbers on which they can hear songs written by contributing artists
- contribute directly to the fight against AIDS in Africa
- visit the 46664 website to hear more music; buy exclusive 46664 tracks; download ringtones; make donations and sign up to the campaign.

The first track - '46664 (Long Walk to Freedom)' written by Bono, Dave Stewart and the late Joe Strummer and performed by Bono, Youssou N'Dour, Abdel and Dave Stewart - is released today.

In London yesterday, Nelson Mandela said the 46664 campaign will pressure governments to declare a global AIDS emergency - demanding developed country governments give much more to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, and working to get 3 million people living with AIDS on life saving anti-retrovirals by 2005.

'A tragedy of unprecedented proportions is unfolding in Africa,' said Mr Mandela. 'Aids today in Africa is claiming more lives than the sum total of all wars, famines and floods and the ravages of such deadly diseases as Malaria.
'We must act now for the sake of the world. Aids is no longer a disease it is a human rights issue.'

The all star concert will take place at Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town on November 29th - just before before World AIDS Day. As well as 40,000 people attending the 3-hour show, it will be broadcast free around the world via TV, webcast and radio.

In a music industry first, '46664 (Long Walk to Freedom)' will only be available via telephone lines, then subsequently on the web atwww.46664.com

Audiences can listen by dialling different numbers throughout the world, which will in most countries incorporate the five digits 46664. In the UK the number is 09060 1 46664 - more country numbers as we get them.