XIX International AIDS Conference Opens, Emphasizes Need for Decisive Action

The XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) opened on July 22, 2012 in Washington, D.C. The conference will be one of the central events of the year in global health and HIV. The conference theme is "Turning the tide together," which emphasizes the decisive actions needed in today's defining phase in the epidemic. WHO HIV programs participation is focusing around the themes of "Treatment for prevention,, "Treatment 2.0," and more broadly the "Strategic use of ARVs."

The International AIDS Conference is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, people living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. Some 25 000 scientists, people living with HIV and other stakeholders are attending. It is a chance to assess where we are, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward.

High-level speakers include U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, World Health Organization Director-General Dr Margaret Chan, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, World Bank President Dr Jim Yong Kim, philanthropist Bill Gates, Earth Institute Director Professor Jeffrey Sachs, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to address the conference via video.