Starting tomorrow, the second Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference (EECAAC II), the largest AIDS-focused event to date in the region, will bring together a wide range of private and public groups at a critical time in the fight against AIDS.
EECAAC II is a collaborative effort hosted by the Federal Service on Surveillance Protection of Consumer Rights and Wellbeing of the Russian Federation, UNAIDS, the International AIDS Society and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The conference will take place at the Moscow World Trade Center and will focus on "Accelerating Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care for All."
Improving the response to the HIV epidemic is necessary to ensure the wellbeing of future generations of young people throughout the region. Given the scale of the problem, a collective, multi-sectoral effort is required. Conference co-chair, Dr. G.G. Onishchenko stated, "Bringing together a broad range of professionals from governments, non-governmental organizations, science, medicine, and communities of people living with HIV is critical to ensuring a strong and sustained response. The Russian Federation is pleased to be able to host this meeting as a sign of its continuing strong commitment to combating AIDS in Russia, in the region, and globally."
For three days, conference participants will review regional achievements, share results and focus on addressing the challenge of reducing the impact of the epidemic in the region.
"Eastern Europe and Central Asia is at a critical turning point in the epidemic. There are strong indications of growing leadership and partnership among governments, civil society and communities," said Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS. "However HIV-related stigma and discrimination continues to hamper HIV prevention efforts in the region and renewed political action is needed if real progress is to be achieved."
The HIV Epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: At a Crossroad
Over the last decade, efforts to fight and treat HIV and AIDS have started to have a positive impact. According to the AIDS Epidemic Update Report released in December 2007 by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization, the estimated number of new HIV infections in the region fell from 230,000 in 2001 to 150,000 in 2007. But while the pace of the epidemic has slowed compared to 2000, the number of people living with HIV throughout the region continues to grow. Also, annual numbers of HIV diagnoses newly reported in 2006-2007 show an increase compared to previous years in Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Republic of Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
"Knowing the epidemic and better understanding the most vulnerable and affected populations will be the key to better targeting interventions, increasing effectiveness and sustaining existing momentum," said Michel Kazatchkine, the executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. "We have a strong and growing momentum behind the response. However, we face new challenges as many countries transition programs from external to national funding."