Government of Canada – AIDS 2012

As an active player in global efforts to address HIV and AIDS, Canada is pleased to support the XIX International AIDS Conference taking place in Washington, D.C. July 22-27, 2012.

With the theme Turning the Tide Together, the 2012 conference focuses on changing the course of the HIV epidemic by using recent scientific advances in HIV treatment and prevention, and continuing to scale-up key interventions for populations most at risk.

This year, Aboriginal-focused sessions have been incorporated into the conference program which will facilitate global discussion on the range of HIV and AIDS related issues facing Aboriginal populations.The Government of Canada looks forward to working with international leaders in the HIV and AIDS community, including scientists, policy makers, advocates, community volunteers, and people living with HIV or AIDS, to help bring an end to this epidemic.

Canada’s Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq, will represent the Government of Canada at the conference and will be joined by representatives from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, the Canadian International Department Agency, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, International Development Research Centre and the Correctional Service of Canada.

Minister Aglukkaq will provide opening remarks at an Indigenous session entitled Strategic Directions to Overcome the Impact of HIV on Indigenous Communities and will co-chair along with Secretary Sebelius, the Regional session on USA and Canada. Canada will also co-host several satellite sessions on topics such as migration and HIV, HIV vaccine research and HIV and mental health.

Progress has been made in research and policies addressing HIV and AIDS in Canada over the last 30 years; however, the Government of Canada recognizes that there is still much work to be done. Through the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada and the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative, the Government of Canada is investing over $93 million this year alone to address HIV and AIDS domestically.

Through these investments and continued collaboration with our international partners, the Government of Canada remains committed to a comprehensive, long-term approach in the global response to HIV and AIDS.

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