Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a video recorded message today, Friday 8 April 2016 launched the 100 days towards the hosting of the 2016 AIDS Conference scheduled for 18 July 2016 in Durban Kwazulu-Natal.
In this regard, Deputy President Ramaphosa urged South Africans to participate fully in the AIDS2016 International AIDS Conference in Durban in July 2016, as part of the continuing global effort to push back the HIV-AIDS pandemic.
In his message, the Deputy President said the City of eThekwini, the province of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa, would in July host close to 12 000 delegates for the conference.
“AIDS2016 is one of the most important global events on the calendar of the international response to the HIV epidemic,” said Deputy President Ramaphosa.
“It brings together governments, policy makers, scientists, activists and community stakeholders to review progress made across a wide range of programmes.
“This Conference is an important event for our country for a number of reasons. 16 years ago, South Africa was host to the same global meeting. At that time, people living with HIV had no access to treatment; the country was under attack by the global community for our stance on HIV. They urged us to move speedily to ensure access to treatment to those afflicted by HIV.
“South Africa has since made huge strides in this regard. We now have more than 3 million people on ARVs and mother to child transmission has been reduced dramatically.
“We pay tribute to all the constituencies – the scientists, activists, researchers, government officials and the communities who have made this possible.
“We also acknowledge the support of the international community who have stood by our side and continue to support us.
“This 100-day countdown must focus the attention of the country and the world on the importance of the conference. It is our hope that South Africa’s story of progress will serve as an inspiration and a source of hope for AIDS2016.
“The delegates attending the conference from the of 18 July must leave South Africa committed to collective action to end the HIV-AIDS pandemic.”
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