The main objectives of EECAAC 2009 – whose proposed theme is “Regional cooperation: Join the Efforts for Universal Access” (to HIV prevention, treatment and medical social care) -- are to strengthen regional cooperation and to set priorities for countries in the region that address the specific contexts of their epidemics. Delegates will focus on trends in the development of the epidemic as well as universal access to HIV prevention and treatment. Among the highlights of EECAAC2009 include the involvement of the US National Institutes of Health in a series of US/Russia scientific workshops, and the participation of China through the Shanghai Corporation, currently being chaired by Russia.

 

The conference will also feature discussions by political leaders, scientists, health professionals, representatives of civil society and religious organizations as well people living with HIV. A number of events will be devoted to the role of mass media in the response to the spread of HIV/AIDS.

 

The Russian Government continues to significantly increase funding for programmes on HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment, in spite of the global financial crisis. The Russian Federation has spent nearly 1 billion rubles on HIV prevention programmes from 2006-2009, focusing on the most affected communities. More than 18 billion rubles have been allocated from the federal budget for HIV diagnosis, treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. Today more than 50 000 people living with HIV are provided with required treatment.

 

The Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee is G.G. Onishchenko, Head of the Federal Service for the Protection of Consumers Rights and Human Wellbeing in the Russian Federation, and the country’s Chief Sanitary Physician.

 

The Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference (EECAAC) is the leading regional forum on public health and HIV/AIDS. The 1st and 2nd Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conferences in May 2006 and May 2008 united over 200 delegates from throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia These conferences were groundbreaking events providing unprecedented regional forum for exchange of experience and best practices among political leaders, health professionals, people living with HIV, scientists, representatives of civil society organizations, most affected communities and donors involved in efforts to respond to the HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.