Largest Ever Regional AIDS Conference to Review Epidemic Status and Changing Challenges in th...( Broadest range of public and non-gov...),Health

Broadest range of public and non-governmental sector participants ever to address the changing face of HIV in the region and the critical crossroad

the response faces

MOSCOW, May 2 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 UN
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