The organizers of the XIX International AIDS Conference, to be held in Washington, D.C, USA from 22-27 July, have selected the conference’s theme as Turning the tide together because it “captures the current sense of hope and the renewed optimism that a change in direction is possible.”
Six major industry sponsors, fourteen corporate sponsors, and fourteen private donors are all signed up to supporting the conference. AIDS 2012 US co-chair, Dr. Diane Havlir, said the “significant support” conference organisers have received from the private sector is an example of the level of commitment all stakeholders need to continue to demonstrate in order to change the course of HIV/AIDS.
Dr Elly Katabira, international chair of AIDS 2012 and president of the International AIDS Society, said: “AIDS 2012 is expected to attract more than 20,000 delegates from around the world and poses a tremendous opportunity for scientists and researchers to evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward. We are extremely pleased with the level of commitment shown by so many.”
Dr Katabira added that changing the course of HIV/AIDS is possible, but only with the unified commitment and action of everyone, including the private sector, NGOs and foundations.
The major industry sponsors thus far have been revealed as being Abbott Virology, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Gilead Sciences, Janssen, Merck, and ViiV Healthcare.
Private sector, NGO, and foundation sponsors are Chevron, Kaiser Permanente, Levi Strauss & Co, Mylan, MAC AIDS Fund, TD Bank, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Abt Associates, Emcure, Ford Foundation, United Nations Foundations, Deloitte, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, AIDS United, and Tobira Therapeutics. More agreements are in the pipeline.
The International AIDS Conference is the largest gathering of professionals working in the field of HIV, including people living with HIV and other leaders in the HIV response. It plays a fundamental role in shaping the global response to HIV and in keeping HIV and AIDS on the international political agenda.
