XV International AIDS Conference Press Release
The XV International AIDS Conference, Bangkok 2004, the first of its kind to take place in Southeast Asia, will focus on how to advance access to science, prevention, treatment and resources for all people around the world. “Access for All”, the theme of the Conference, is particularly important in this global epidemic, which affects developing and developed countries. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bangkok (20 April 2004) – The XV International AIDS Conference, Bangkok 2004, the first of its kind to take place in Southeast Asia, will focus on how to advance access to science, prevention, treatment and resources for all people around the world. “Access for All”, the theme of the Conference, is particularly important in this global epidemic, which affects developing and developed countries.
With an estimated 15,000 delegates from 160 countries expected to attend the Conference, which will take place in Bangkok from 11-16 July 2004, it is geared up to be the largest ever AIDS meeting. In addition to these delegates, webcasts will further broaden access to the program, so it is hoped that more people than ever will be able to benefit from the information sharing for which this Conference is famous.
New Program Element
The Conference will include a unified program focusing on community, science and leadership. The focus on leadership is new this year, reflecting plans to bring public officials as well as other leaders to the stage to share their commitment to fight the epidemic the world over.
“Our message this year is the importance of Access for All – this means in science, prevention, treatment and resources,” said Dr. Joep Lange, the President of the International AIDS Society (IAS), the key Conference organizer. “Whilst we can offer some elements of this through our science and community programs, fighting HIV is always going to need global backing, and we are delighted to bring leaders from all walks of life to raise the debate, and get commitment in the ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS.”
The International AIDS Conferences are collaborations between the IAS, local hosts and key organizations including UNAIDS, ICASO, ICW and GNP+. They bring together every facet of the international HIV community, including scientists, caregivers, community, and clinicians. For the 2004 meeting, the Thai Ministry of Public Health will take the leadership role as the host in organizing the conference.
“Co-hosting this meeting allows us to demonstrate our commitment in Thailand to continuing our work in managing the HIV epidemic in this part of the world. It is a great opportunity for people working in HIV/AIDS, or indeed people with HIV/AIDS to come and share information from those in similar situations around the globe. This is the first opportunity many of our Asian colleagues will have to visit this Conference, and we hope they will seize the chance to learn, in order to benefit all in Asia,” said Dr. Vallop Thaineau, Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Public Health and Conference Chair.
Conference Symbol
Thailand’s cultural symbol is the elephant, the most powerful land animal on earth. A special logo has been created for the conference with three elephants to symbolize the commitment of all community, family and HIV/AIDS workers in the fight against AIDS. They also represent the three program tracks at the conference – Scientific, Community and Leadership – each of which is integrated to ensure a holistic program.
HIV/AIDS in Thailand and Asia
In today’s AIDS epidemic, one of every four new HIV infections occurs in Asia. Thailand, with its focus on HIV prevention, treatment and education, has played a leadership role in the fight against AIDS in Southeast Asia and globally, demonstrating what can be accomplished by a motivated society.
“Thailand is a natural place to hold the International AIDS Conference in 2004. It has gone to great lengths to minimize the impact of HIV/AIDS, and has made good progress in ensuring all its citizens receive access to assistance with prevention, and care,” said Dr. Lange. “This is the first time the Conference will be held in Southeast Asia, and I have every confidence that it will put Asia, and in particular Thailand’s case studies in fighting HIV, in the spotlight.”
Impact of Previous International AIDS Conferences
Since their inception, the International AIDS Conferences have changed the way the world thinks and acts on AIDS on a broad range of issues. HIV/AIDS and people with HIV/AIDS are viewed very differently today than they were at the first International AIDS Conference in Atlanta in 1985. Since that time, there have been major advances – both scientific and political – with the International AIDS Conferences serving as the major backdrop for such developments. The first presentations on triple therapy, made in Vancouver 1996 are an example of the scientific, while the subsequent movement to drive down the cost of that therapy so that it would have greater use in resource-limited settings was a result of the Durban 2000 conference, the first to be held in the Southern Hemisphere.
For more information about the XV International AIDS Conference, please visit http://www.aids2004.org
Notes to editors:
Access for All aims to promote access to essential HIV-related science, prevention, resources and treatment for all people of the world, regardless of geography.
For media enquiries:
Thai-based International Media
Soo Cheang Wee
Weber Shandwick (Bangkok)
Tel: (662) 257 0316 ext.103
Fax: (662) 257 0311
Email: scwee@webershandwick.com
International Media outside Thailand
Dorothy Yiu
Weber Shandwick (Hong Kong)
Tel: (852) 2533 9910
Cell: (852) 9302 9059
Fax: (852) 2868 0224
Email: dyiu@webershandwick.com
Thai-language Media
Surasak Glahan
XV International AIDS Conference
Tel: (662) 653 0614
Cell: (669) 992-3620
Fax: (662) 653 0676
Email: surasak@aidsthai.org