WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2006--Tonight, at its 2006 Awards for Business Excellence Gala, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS will pay tribute to the role of business in the global fight against AIDS and honor Merck & Co., Inc. for its ongoing commitment to fighting the HIV/AIDS pandemic on a national level in Botswana. The GBC will honor six award recipients, including Merck, at a high-level Awards Gala in London. Speakers at the Gala and Awards ceremony will include: British Prime Minister Tony Blair, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Sir Elton John and Graca Machel. CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour will serve as master of ceremonies.