The World’s biggest AIDS Congress is returning to Durban

KWAZULU-NATAL Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo jetted off to Melbourne, Australia, on Friday 18 July, for the International AIDS Congress 2014.

He will be presenting South Africa’s success story in the fight against Aids and will take note of how the conference is being hosted before it returns to Durban in 2016. South Africa last hosted the International Aids Congress in Durban in 2000.

In the Australian Congress MEC Dhlomo will be sharing the stage with other high-level speakers, such as President Bill Clinton, founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé as well as artist and activist Sir Bob Geldof. He will also join thousands of the world’s top AIDS researchers, community leaders, people living with HIV and policy-makers in the deliberations. Even though Deputy President, Hon Cyril Ramaphosa, won’t be personally attending, he will also address the Congress via a video link, tabulating what has been achieved after the 2012 Congress which was held in the US.

“It is my firm belief that by the time we host this Congress here in Durban in 2016, South Africa will be telling a different story on prevalence and new infections,” said Dhlomo.

The 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014) is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, including scientists, medical practitioners, activists, policymakers, people living with HIV and others committed to ending the epidemic. It is a tremendous opportunity for researchers from around the world to share the latest scientific advances in the field, learn from one another’s expertise, and develop strategies for advancing all facets of collective efforts to treat and prevent HIV. This 2014 Congress that will be held until 25 July at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, is expected to convene more than 12,000 participants from nearly 200 countries, including more than 800 journalists.