Around 100 representatives of populations at higher risk of HIV infection from 18 countries in eastern and southern Africa are convening in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 17 to 19 November to discuss ways to improve access to HIV services.

Under the theme Close the Gap—Leave No One Behind, sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender people and people who inject drugs will engage in the first regional consultation for key populations in the region. During the meeting, the participants will share experiences and take stock of the remaining challenges.

During the 30 years of the AIDS epidemic, it has become evident that better and faster health outcomes are achieved through smart investment and community-centred systems that leave no one behind, noted UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Luiz Loures.

People at higher risk of HIV infection contribute to substantial proportions of new HIV infections in some countries in the region. According to the latest Modes of Transmission study conducted between 2008 and 2010, sex workers and their clients, gay men and other men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs accounted for an estimated 33% of the total number of new HIV infections in Kenya, 26% in South Africa and 18% in Mozambique.

Daughtie Ogutu, Africa Coordinator for the African Sex Workers Alliance and a sex worker from Kenya, noted that countries can control the HIV epidemic only when all of its citizens, including people vulnerable to HIV infection, are guaranteed access to comprehensive HIV prevention, treatment and care services.

In the three days of the meeting, communities and development partners will focus their discussion around access to HIV prevention and treatment services, HIV-related stigma and discrimination and strategic information for people at higher risk of HIV infection.