Dr. Nono Simelela (Advisor to the Deputy President)

Ms Mary Crew (Co-Director, Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender) Co-Chair

The South African AIDS Conference, held every 2 years, has become an established barometer of the advances made in confronting and controlling HIV infections, in South Africa and in the regional states. As Africa has experienced the epidemic in a particularly vivid way, the continent accounts for the majority of new HIV infections, with sub-Saharan Africa having the global burden of this disease. The importance of the lessons and events discussed at the conference can be applied throughout the world. There is no doubt that the immediacy of learning from the centre of the worldwide pandemic here at the ICC in Durban instils a breadth of knowledge and a sustained image of the effects of one of the worst epidemics to have affected humanity.

From the reports of previous conferences or through attending the conferences, you can expect exposure to new data and information, and new narratives on HIV/AIDS as well as reflection and critique. The critical developments in epidemiology, social history, prevention interventions, and treatments available will be presented and debated along with ideas about what might and might not work in prevention and treatments.

You will also gain insight in some of the advances made in the key elements of this disease reported throughout the world.

Given the diverse surroundings of the ICC, you should also find enough time to enjoy your stay in Kwazulu-Natal.