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The Conference Vision is:
The XV International AIDS Conference links community and science to galvanize the world’s response to HIV/AIDS through increased commitment, leadership and accountability.
Commitment: Over the years, knowledge gained from basic, clinical and social research has been critical in its contribution to greatly increasing the life expectancy and quality of life of affected and infected persons. Moreover, prevention efforts have succeeded in reducing the rate of new infections in many populations around the world, though there is still much work to be done. As a result, it is now clearer than ever that progress in the fight against this pandemic will depend not only on scientific developments, educational programs and community support, but on a commitment to act globally.
Leadership: At the highest political levels, the magnitude and impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is falling out of focus as the world responds to terrorism, war and a poor economy. The funding for many HIV/AIDS programs have shifted with the focus. To counter this, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS) Declaration of Commitment secured a global commitment from world leaders to enhance and intensify national, regional and international efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in a comprehensive manner. The leaders of the world will report on their country’s progress and participate in the Conference debates and deliberations.
Accountability: Twenty years of promises, and still the pandemic continues to escalate in many parts of the world, particularly among poor and vulnerable populations. Access to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is available to only an extremely small percentage of at-risk and affected people. The authors of the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment need to be asked what happened to the pledges. What goals have the 189 countries met? What have developing countries and their partners done to scale-up successful community-based programs? What new drugs have pharmaceutical companies brought within the reach of the millions who need them? What progress has been made since the Barcelona Conference in 2002? Bringing the question of accountability forward will stimulate all into action.
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