AIDS 2010 conference opens in Vienna today
-Bill Clinton, South African Health Minister to deliver keynote address
THE  18th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010) kicks off today in Vienna, Austria where more that 25,000 HIV/AIDS activists from around the globe are gathered to review progress made on targets set, critically address challenges encountered, and further map out workable strategies aimed at combatting the pandemic.

Held under the theme,  ‘Rights Here, Right Now’, the conference promises much, with a number of spirited presentations to be delivered by high-level plenary speakers. 

Today’s opening session will be addressed by UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibe, after which there will be three plenary presentations on the state of the pandemic and the way forward.

Speakers are: Yves Souteyrand (France, World Health Organization); Paula Akugizibwe (Rwanda, AIDS and Rights Alliance of Southern Africa ); and Sharon Lewin (Australia, Monash University).

Meanwhile, tomorrow’s keynote addresses will be delivered, first by  Bill Clinton, Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, and on Tuesday by  South African Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaled. 

Their presentations will be made ahead of 17 other high-level presenters.

Essentially, AIDS 2010 will facilitate stronger linkages between science and community, and will explore in greater depth the important overlap and interaction between and the three programme areas: Science, Community and Leadership; and Accountability, the governing HIV/AIDS body says.

Convened at a crucial time (the 2010 dateline set by world leaders for  ‘Universal Access’ to Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support), the Conference will see key stakeholders from around the international community exercising  renewed dynamism and resolve to make good on that mandate. 

To date, some 4.3 million Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) and in need of treatment in middle and low-income countries have been placed on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

But even as countries have begun rolling out antiretroviral therapy to persons in need in middle and low-income countries, the initiative has hit a snag, as alluded to in the AIDS 2010 Conference Review which notes: “With a global economic crisis threatening to undermine public investments, the conference will help keep HIV on the front burner, and is a chance to demonstrate the importance of continued HIV investments to broader health and development goals.”

The Conference, held biennially, is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policymakers, PLHIV and other individuals committed to combatting the pandemic.

Aptly summed up by the International AIDS Society (IAS), the organization says:  “It is a chance to assess where we are, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward.”

The Programme
Giving a sneak preview into the usually hectic six days of the conferencing, the Review  raises the curtains on a well planned and marketed programme which will  present  new scientific knowledge and offer many opportunities for structured dialogue on the major issues facing the global response to HIV. 

For those attending the conference, particularly first-timers, it will be a defining moment; prepare yourselves for a variety of session types, “from abstract-driven presentations to symposia, bridging sessions and plenaries to meet the needs of various participants. Other related activities, including the Global Village, satellite meetings, exhibitions, spicy cultural entertainment and affiliated events, will contribute to an exceptional opportunity for professional development and networking.” 

That aside, AIDS 2010 will not be all work and no play.  There are well- thought-out approaches which ensure that not all discussions are on a highly technical and scientific level, but delegates, regardless of age, and intellectual background have a choice of  joining  sessions at their level and in keeping with their  particular interests. 

Adding spice and variety to the activities during the week long Conference, are Cultural Activities and fascinating Exhibitions which offer opportunities for both commercial and non-commercial organizations to showcase their products and services to the largest gathering of HIV/AIDS professionals in the world.  There’s also the opportunity for delegates to participate in tours to places of interest, thereby widening their horizons.

With this august body being the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, brings together representatives from among the ranks of scientists, researchers, funders, policy makers, health care workers, the  media, Faith Based and Non-Governmental Organisations, Persons Living With HIV/AIDS and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic.

The Conference, held biennially, is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to combatting the pandemic.  Aptly summed up by the International AIDS Society (IAS) “It is a chance to assess where we are, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward.”

Conference Objectives:
Of the objectives, the IAS says:  AIDS 2010 will underscore that the protection of human rights is a fundamental prerequisite to an effective response to HIV. And in the light of the important contributions the scale up of HIV programmes has made to broader health and development goals.  AIDS 2010 will highlight the many opportunities for synergy and for powerful alliances between these sometimes disparate movements.

IAS promises that the Conference will provide a multidisciplinary forum for networking and the sharing of information related to new research and evidence-based programmes and policies.  It adds that, it is a chance for the many stakeholders involved in HIV to take stock of where the epidemic is, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward.

Journalists on deadline working on providing press coverage at an International AIDS Conference