Russian Federation

UNAIDS in the Russian Federation launched the initiative “Artists Against AIDS” which aims to decrease stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

On 11 November UNAIDS in the Russian Federation launched the initiative “Artists Against AIDS”. The initiative, aims to decrease stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV while raising funds for an orphanage that cares for HIV positive children.

Twenty-three artists, including several well known Russian painters as well as artists from Greece, the Ukraine, the Unites States of America and Spain contributed their works for the exhibition and sale which is being held at the Central House of Artists from 11 – 20 November 2008. More than 200 guests attended the exhibition’s opening ceremony, including representatives from the private sector, the artistic and diplomatic communities, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Lisa Carty, UNAIDS Country Coordinator opened the exhibition noting that, “In a country like Russia, that has such a deep respect for the arts, it sends a powerful signal when prominent artists speak out against stigma and discrimination. We know that this can make a real difference in mobilizing broader public awareness and support.”

Participating artists welcomed the event as an opportunity to speak about AIDS to help people overcome their prejudices and misconceptions about the disease, as well as to directly help children impacted by HIV.

Sergey Tsigal, one of the twenty three artists who donated their work for the exhibition said, “While I am not a rich man I consider this type of charity project an essential part of my life. Artists can play an important role in the response to AIDS through their art work.”

Artist Sergey Tsigal and Dr. Antonina Petrova, Chief Doctor of the Lomonosov Orphanage at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, 11 November 2008.

The artists have donated 35 paintings and graphic works for the exhibition and sale and all proceeds will be provided to the Lomonosov Children’s Home in Leningrad region.

In Russia about 440,000 cases of HIV infection are officially registered; however, many Russian and international experts believe that the actual number of people living with HIV in the country could be closer to one million. Injecting drug use remains the main mode of transmission, but in recent years the percentage of women living with HIV has grown. In 2007, 44% of all new cases of HIV infection were among women.

The number of children born to women living with HIV has also increased. Even though special preventive therapy makes it possible to reduce a newborn’s risk of infection to a minimum, mother-to-child transmission of HIV continues to occur in children during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or breastfeeding.

Good progress has been made in providing pregnant women with access to preventive treatment to reduce the risk of HIV transmission to their infants. However, in Russia today there are more than three thousand children who were infected at birth.

Among them, a significant number are abandoned children who are cared for in orphanages throughout the country.

Dr. Antonina Petrova, the Chief Doctor of the Lomonosov Orphanage, said that the exhibit and sale gave her an unprecedented opportunity to share with the public the situation of children living with or affected by HIV and for the public to understand that HIV positive children can lead happy, successful lives.

More than 30 representatives from 10 countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), along with UNAIDS representatives, took part in the meeting of the CIS Coordination Council on HIV/AIDS on 30 October in Moscow

More than 30 representatives from 10 countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), along with UNAIDS representatives, took part in the meeting of the CIS Coordination Council on HIV/AIDS on 30 October in Moscow. The meeting, hosted by the Russian Government, brought together government representatives, country and regional civil society leaders and members of the Eastern European and Central Asian Union of the Organizations of People Living with HIV to build on their experiences to scale up HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

“It is a truly unique meeting not only for the country but the region as a whole”, said Dr Luiz Loures, Director of the UNAIDS Strategic Country Intelligence Office In his remarks opening the consultation. “The urgent need to provide universal access to HIV services emphasizes the importance of improved coordination and harmonization of our efforts. That is why the CIS as a regional platform for coordination is so essential for that to happen in this region.”

The number of people living with HIV in the CIS countries rose in 2007 to an estimated 1.6 million, with an estimated 150,000 new HIV infections. This represents a 150% increase since 2001.

The HIV epidemics in the CIS area are concentrated mainly among injecting drug users (IDU), sex workers, their respective sexual partners and, to a lesser extent, men who have sex with men (MSM). Of the new HIV cases reported in 2006, for which there was information on the mode of transmission, nearly two thirds (62%) were attributed to IDUs and more than one third (37%) to unprotected heterosexual intercourse.

In light of the regional data that identifies drug use as a major driver of the epidemic in the region, all participants agreed on the urgent need to remove stigmatizing and coercive measures, and training of health providers and law enforcement personnel to be able to work effectively with IDUs in reducing the spread of HIV. So far, the percentage of injecting drug users reached by prevention programmes such as needles/syringe exchange remains small, in spite of increased funding overall.

Less than 1% of new HIV diagnoses across the region were among men who have sex with men, although the real extent to which sex between men features in some of the region’s epidemics is unknown. Deep-rooted stigma and discrimination, growing xenophobia and homophobia are major barriers to the AIDS response. This is driving the epidemic underground as people are afraid to access HIV services

The reasons behind such trends noted at the meeting comprise not only resource and capacity deficits, but also the lack of broad leadership and partnership for AIDS, including at the highest levels of governments and communities. Such partnerships would link more closely decision makers with those who have first-hand experience of AIDS realities on the ground.

Therefore, countries recognized the importance of promoting information sharing between them on issues related to the protection of human rights, promotion of effective programmatic approaches and regionally relevant best practices.

While discussing the 2009-2013 Joint CIS Programme on AIDS participants also made a strong case for mobilization of additional funds to sup¬plement the resources available through the extension of existing grants and loans provided by the Global Fund, the World Bank and other donors.

Finally, in order to guarantee the provision of universal access to HIV services in the region, participants identified the need for the development of a regional policy to en¬able proactive price negotiations for medical and laboratory commodities as well as to improve utilization of the existing regional training facilities to enhance technical capacity in the countries.

As Dr Sergei Furgal, Director, a.i., UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, noted, “The Joint CIS Programme is based on the outcomes and recommendations of the UNAIDS-facilitated regional consultations on Universal Access as well as on the principles of hori¬zontal collaboration between the CIS countries. Regional team has been providing a substantial and solid support to the CIS as a key intergovernmental regional body in strengthening and consolidating response to AIDS.”

The next meeting of the CIS Coordination Council on HIV/AIDS is scheduled on February 2009. It will aim at reviewing regional progress and obstacles in scaling up HIV prevention, treatment, care and support towards the Universal Access targets and to develop a special regional pro¬gramme to tackle AIDS among labour migrants.

Fifth International Conference on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Armed Forces was held in September 2008, St. Petersburg, Russia

Studies show that rates of sexually transmitted infections among armed forces are generally higher than in civilian populations. Among male population groups, military and police report the highest risk behaviour, such as engaging in sex without using a condom, and highest number of partners.

The good news is that prevention programmes to reduce transmission of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV can be implemented within structured institutions like the military. Existing facilities can be used for testing and counselling, prevention, care and support services. Provision of education and condoms can slow the spread of HIV and as young recruits have strong influence among their peers, within and outside the service, they can transmit clear messages to the surrounding community, thus, changing perceptions and behaviours that can positively impact the larger population.

The UN Security Council made history in January 2000 when for the first time it debated a health issue—AIDS. By subsequently adopting Resolution 1308 (2000), it highlighted the possible growing impact of AIDS on social instability and emergency situations and potential damaging impact of HIV on the health of international peacekeeping personnel. The UN Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS adopted by Member States in the General Assembly Special Session (June 2001) also includes national uniformed services as a key area to be addressed in the global action against the spread of the HIV epidemic.

In addition to the growing engagement of Member States, leading regional bodies are increasingly acknowledging the need to integrate AIDS education into the operations of uniformed services.

Fifth International Conference on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Armed Forces

It is against this context that the “Fifth International Conference on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Armed Forces” was held in September 2008 in St. Petersburg, Russia. The event brought together a broad coalition of participants including politicians, military health service providers, scientists from the Russian healthcare system, epidemiologists and communicable disease specialists engaged in HIV prevention as well as diagnostic and treatment issues. Representatives from governmental bodies, NGOs, and international organisations also took part.

Dr Sergei Furgal, Director, a.i., RST/Eastern Europe and Central Asia, noted the significance of the gathering which distinguished it from previous military conferences in the region: “National delegations represented the armed forces of all nine CIS countries and participants discussed a wide range of programmatic issues.”

“Within the framework of the CIS Regional Network on Military and AIDS it was decided to shape a coordination mechanism for information and experiences exchange with a clear indication of UNAIDS’ role in this process,” he continued.

More than 500 participants gathered to discuss issues related to lowering the prevalence of HIV infection amongst servicemen and servicewomen in the region. Participants attended from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine).

There were several specific and significant outcomes from the meeting. Participants agreed on the need to improve coordination between military medical service departments in order to lower HIV prevalence amongst military personnel. They also plan to expand cooperation with international, governmental and non-governmental organizations to work together to promote HIV prevention in the armed forces. They will consider establishing a coordination method to exchange information and experiences amongst organizations working to curb HIV prevalence in the armed forces of conference participant countries. UNAIDS and the Centre for Social Development and Information have offered to provide support to establish this coordination method.

Other initiatives under consideration include expanding programmes of educational activities for different ranks of servicemen and servicewomen, creating a web site to share HIV information among participant countries’ armed forces, and inviting representatives from other country’s uniformed services agencies to take part in conferences.

The Sixth International Conference on HIV/AIDS Prevention in Armed Forces will take place in 2009 in the Russian Military Medical Academy, St. Petersburg, Russia.

UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot
addressed the opening plenary of the
Second Eastern European and Central
Asian AIDS Conference. 3-5 May 2008
Moscow, Russia.

The Second Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference concluded on May 5 after three-days of dialogue centred on better responding to the region’s HIV epidemic.

Hundreds of participants from across the region as well as representatives from the UN and other international organizations gathered in Moscow to share ideas and map-out action on the challenges facing it.

The region is home to one of the world’s fastest growing HIV epidemics; in 2007, some 1.6 million people in the region were living with HIV, a 150% increase since 2001

Representing UNAIDS, Executive Director Dr Peter Piot addressed the opening plenary together with Dr Gennadiy G. Onischenko, Head of the Russian Federation’s federal health division, Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of The Global Fund, and Craig McClure, Executive Director of the International AIDS Society.

A hallmark of the conference was its bringing together of crucial voices in the region’s AIDS response, from scientists and politicians to civil society groups and representatives of people living with HIV.

In addition to a diverse programme of sessions focused on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support initiatives, space was dedicated to encourage informal and open dialogue on some of the issues central to understanding the region’s epidemic.

UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Piot met
with youth leaders, representatives from
local communities and other peers
committed to supporting Eastern Europe
and Central Asia in moving its AIDS
response forward.

Two spaces for such interactions were ‘Besedka’, a community dialogue space for people living with HIV organized by The Global Fund, UNAIDS and the Eastern European and Central Asian Union of people living with HIV Organizations; and Youth Village, sponsored by UNAIDS, the UN Population Fund and the Youth Peer Education Network.

UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Piot met with youth leaders, representatives from local communities and other peers committed to supporting Eastern Europe and Central Asia in moving its AIDS response forward.

The May 3-5 conference was the second for the region, with the first held in 2006, and the largest AIDS-focused conference to date in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

2nd Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference ends

The Second Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference concluded on May 5 after three-days of dialogue centred on better responding to the region’s HIV epidemic.

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Second Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference

A three-day conference on AIDS opens in Moscow on May 3 with a focus on the epidemic in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot will address the opening plenary and take part in sessions discussing the challenges facing the region in its AIDS response.

This year’s conference will provide dialogue and interaction among political and community leaders, scientists and other researchers, people living with HIV and representatives of civil society from across Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

The conference is hosted by the Russian Federation, with support from UNAIDS, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the International AIDS Society.

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Eastern Europe and Central Asia have faced significant increases in the numbers of new HIV infections in recent years. In 2007, an estimated 1.6 million people were living with HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, a dramatic increase of 150% from the 630,000 people in 2001.

The Second Eastern European and Central
Asian AIDS Conference will take place in
Moscow, Russia, 3-5 May 2008.

Eastern Europe and Central Asia have faced significant increases in the numbers of new HIV infections in recent years. In 2007, an estimated 1.6 million people were living with HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, a dramatic increase of 150% from the 630,000 people in 2001.

Such an escalating epidemic threatens to impact the workforce and put a heavy burden on the health sector. In order to urgently address this, the Government of the Russian Federation with support from UNAIDS and the International AIDS Society (IAS) joined together to organize the first Eastern European and Central Asian AIDS Conference (EECAAC) in May 2006.

This was a groundbreaking event –the first-ever Russian-speaking AIDS conference– and provided an unprecedented regional forum for more than 1500 delegates who included political leaders, health professionals, scientists, representatives of voluntary organizations, people living with HIV and donors involved in the response to the AIDS epidemic across the region. It was heralded a success and decided to be held every two years.

Second Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference

The second EECAAC will take place in Moscow, Russia, 3-5 May 2008. The conference will once again provide dialogue and interaction among political and community leaders, scientists and other researchers, people living with HIV and representatives of civil society from across the region. They hope to take stock of the situation, share best practices and mobilize action in response to the challenges of the AIDS epidemic.

The government of the Russian Federation is the largest financial supporter of the Second Eastern European and Central Asian AIDS Conference, confirming the country’s political commitment to the AIDS response.

The Co-chairs of the 2008 Conference Organizing Committee include Global Fund Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine, IAS Executive Director Craig McClure and UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot. Dr Piot will very actively participate at this year’s event.

This conference occurs at a crossroad in the regional AIDS response, in particular in Russia, where there are strong indications of growing country leadership and commitment, increased domestic resources, and breakthroughs in relation to the Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The conference is an opportunity for governments to seek credit for these positive developments, but also for activists and international media to emphasize the persisting gaps and shortcomings.

“This conference is an important forum in which leaders and experts can gather and discuss the issues impacting the AIDS response in this region,” said UNAIDS Regional Support Team Director a.i., Sergei Furgal. “Strong leadership and evidence-informed responses are key to curbing the rising epidemics in Eastern Europe and Central Asia,” he continued.

Accelerating Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care for All

“Accelerating Access to HIV Prevention, Treatment and Care for All” is the official conference theme. This theme will allow many aspects of an expanded and improved response to the epidemic to be examined during plenary and satellite sessions and skills-building workshops. These include efficient systems to provide quality treatment balanced with the robust prevention programs, especially targeting key populations including people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, women, young people, sex workers and their clients.

The conference will also feature a Youth Village – a community dialogue space to increase the visibility of HIV issues among young people and to promote youth involvement in addressing HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

A Community Dialogue Space, “Besedka”, will provide community representatives with a space for open group discussions on key issues, dialogue with international leaders, cultural and interactive events, presentations and media events.

Regional forum to support national responses to HIV

Although there are national differences in the nature of the epidemics within Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the drivers of the epidemic – primarily injecting drug use, with heterosexual transmission increasing – and many of the challenges to improving access to services are similar across the region.

The upcoming Second Eastern European and Central Asian AIDS Conference will be an important forum for vital discussion helping countries to understand what is driving their epidemics and how to reach key populations at higher risk of HIV infection.

Rupert Everett, the film and theatre actor
(My Best Friend’s Wedding, Another Country), and
Special Representative of UNAIDS visited Moscow
and St Petersburg 23 – 26 September, to learn
more about AIDS and tuberculosis in Russia and
to help raise awareness about these two important,
inter-linked diseases.

Rupert Everett, the film and theatre actor (My Best Friend’s Wedding, Another Country), and Special Representative of UNAIDS visited Moscow and St Petersburg 23 – 26 September, to learn more about AIDS and tuberculosis in Russia and to help raise awareness about these two important, inter-linked diseases.

“I’m very grateful to everyone in Moscow and in St Petersburg who took the time to meet and share their experiences with me,” said Mr Everett at the end of his visit.

“It has been a very busy three days: overwhelming and inspiring. Denial, pre-existing stigma and prejudices are nourished by the presence of HIV and TB in society as a whole. These are powerful forces that act as roadblocks on the journey towards an effective response to the spread of HIV and TB.

”Rupert Everett has been active in the AIDS response for many years, but this was his first official trip with UNAIDS since his appointment as Special Representative in December 2006.

UNAIDS regional director, Bertil Lindblad, welcomed Rupert Everett’s visit as a way to help focus on key areas of the Russian response.

“People in the public eye like Rupert Everett can inspire and motivate others to unite against AIDS.

”During the first part of his visit, he visited the Republic Clinical Hospital for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases just outside St. Petersburg. The centre treats children who have been abandoned and / or are living with HIV.

Dr. Evgeny Voronin, the Chief Physician of the hospital and Head of the National Clinical Centre for Children’s AIDS, explained:

”There are about 2000 children in Russia today who are HIV positive. The main problem is integrating these children into regular social life and providing them with qualitative education so they can fully develop,” he said.

In St, Petersburg Everett and the UNAIDS team met with staff and outreach workers of “LaSky”, a project supported by PSI (Population Services International), the Global Fund and the Ford Foundation, providing information and prevention services among men who have sex with men. The meeting was held in one of the most popular gay clubs in St. Petersburg and the group shared their experiences and challenges in reaching out to young gay men in 10 regions of Russia.

At St Petersburg City Infectious Hospital N30, Rupert Everett met doctors and learned about working with injecting drug users who are living with HIV. He also heard from representatives of the non-governmental organization Humanitarian Action and other activist groups who provide HIV prevention services as well as support for people living with HIV. Humanitarian Action also arranged a field visit for Everett to one of its outreach sites where prevention services, including needle exchange and counseling, are provided in a fully equipped bus serving several parts of St. Petersburg.

The number of officially registered people living with HIV in Russia in May 2007 was approximately 386,000. However it is widely believed that the actual number could be up to 1.1 million.

Traveling on to Moscow, Everett met with representatives of a network of people living with HIV, NGO practitioners, UNAIDS Cosponsoring agencies and volunteers.

HIV and tuberculosis are closely linked, each worsening the impact of the other and disproportionately affecting the poorest and most marginalized people in society. According to the World Health Organization, TB is the leading cause of death in people living with HIV in Russia, accounting for 59% of such deaths in 2006. Most of those who died were between the ages of 25 and 34.

In Moscow, Mr Everett visited the Centre for TB treatment at the Moscow Clinical TB Hospital N7, met with staff and children being treated at the hospital as well as representatives of the Ministry of Health TB Programme and WHO which supports comprehensive TB activities in Russia.

At the end of his visit, the actor spoke of his hopes to develop his support:”I hope that UNAIDS can continue to play an active part in the future to bring the government, the NGOs and the advocacy groups closer together in a united response to AIDS and TB.”

During a nine day tour of five countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, a group of HIV advocates met with policy makers and civil society organizations to raise awareness on women and AIDS in this part of the world.

Women against AIDS tour was conceived in the
midst of a growing concern that women are
increasingly at risk of HIV infection in many parts of
Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Women against AIDS tour was conceived in the midst of a growing concern that women are increasingly at risk of HIV infection in many parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The percentage of adults living with HIV who are women has risen from 11% in 1990 to 28% in 2006.

The tour was sponsored by the AIDS Infoshare organization, UNAIDS, the Global Coalition of Women on AIDS and the United Nations Development Program. Ten AIDS advocates from the region with special guests joining at various points travelled together to learn about the realities of women and AIDS in different parts of the region and also to mobilize local policy makers to act on these issues.

In each of the capital cities of Armenia, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Ukraine—the tour group joined with civil society organizations and groups of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) to talk about some of the most difficult issues such as stigma and discrimination and their consequences including losing children’s custody, being thrown out of the home and losing jobs.

“These are real issues,” said Deborah Landey, Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS who joined the last part of the tour. “We have a collective responsibility to make a difference for women ,” she added.

The predominant mode of HIV transmission in the region remains through the use of non-sterile injecting drug equipment. However an increasing proportion of HIV infections — 37% of reported cases in 2005 — are estimated to occur during unprotected sexual intercourse. In Ukraine, the proportion of people infected with HIV through heterosexual transmission increased from 14% of new cases between 1999 and 2003 to over 35% of new cases in the first six months of 2006.

“We must look at every AIDS plan and strategy and ask whether it works for women,” emphasized Ms Landey. “This is our chance to curb the epidemic in this region,” she added.

The Women Against AIDS also produced a set of
issues to be considered and recommendations when
developing national AIDS strategies in the region.

The tour ended where it started, with women. Sergei Golovach a renowned photographer and a guest on the tour took photos of his fellow advocates for an exhibit to be held called Love, Live and Dream. Through portraits h e wanted to emphasize that it does not matter who is HIV-positive.

“Just look at this photo,” said Ms Landey, remarking on one of the portraits of a mother and her daughter that has been turned into an advocacy poster. “It is all about a mother’s love—which has nothing to do with one’s HIV status.”

Moved by these portraits and what she learned from the tour participants, Elena Vasilieva, Editor in Chief of the Russian Cosmopolitan magazine promised to publish an article about the Women Against AIDS tour in the November edition. To help break down stereotypes she said “a glossy magazine is the right place to raise socially important topics.”

The Women Against AIDS also produced a set of issues to be considered and recommendations when developing national AIDS strategies in the region. Highlighting the critical importance of translating these recommendations into actions, Anna Dubrovskaya, from 'Golos anti-SPID' in Russia said “our wonderful recommendations will not work if there is nobody to demand from policy makers that they keep their promises. The most important thing is to not let this initiative die.”

All photo credit: UNAIDS/Serge Golovach

Links:

View photo gallery
Listen to interview with UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Deborah Landey
Visit the Global coalition on women and AIDS' web site
Visit UNDP's web site
Visit AIDS Info Share's web site

Women against AIDS tour was conceived in the midst of a growing concern that women are increasingly at risk of HIV infection in many parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The percentage of adults living with HIV who are women has risen from 11% in 1990 to 28% in 2006.

The tour was sponsored by the AIDS Infoshare organization, UNAIDS, the Global Coalition of Women on AIDS and the United Nations Development Program. Ten AIDS advocates from the region with special guests joining at various points travelled together to learn about the realities of women and AIDS in different parts of the region and also to mobilize local policy makers to act on these issues.

Moscow, 27 May - The team is at Sheremetievo Airport. Could not wait to look at the posters and unpacked them right before flying to Almaty (Kazakhstan).

Kazakhstan, 27-28 May - Elnara Kurmangalieva (State Centre for Healthy Life Style) informing about HIV prevention programmes among youth.

Kazakhstan, 27-28 May - Group photograph.

Armenia, 29-30 May - Oganes Madoyan (Real World - real People) opens the discussions. None of the HIV positive women from Armenia was ready to talk openly and express the needs of the community.

Moldova, 30 May-1 June - Aleksander Shishkin (actor and DJ) first on the right side, joined the round table discussions to support implementation of gender specific programmes in Moldova. He also reiterated the need to carry out information campaigns on HIV prevention for young people.

Moldova, 30 May-1 June - Igor Kilchevski (Credinta) offers to discuss the recommendations of the project participants. High stigma and discrimination is perceived by women living with HIV in Moldova.

Ukraine, 2-5 June - Welcoming remarks by Anna Grekova (All-Ukrainian Network of PLHIV) at a press event.

Ukraine, 2-5 June - A cameraman filming for the national TV channel. The media can play a critical role in reducing stigma and discrimination towards women living with HIV.

Moscow, 6 June - UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Debbie Landey plays a key role in addressing gender dimension to the response to HIV. She actively participated in the Tour.

Moscow, 6 June - Round table participants: (from left) Natalia Ladnaya (Federal AIDS Centre), Sergei Golovach (Photographer), Anna Dubrovskaya ('Golos Anti-SPID' NGO, Ufa, Russia), Elena Tamazova (UNAIDS, Russia), Anna Grekova (All-Ukrainian Network of PLHIV), Debbie Landey (DExD, UNAIDS), Vladimir Pozner (President of the Russian TV Academy), Lyudmila Untura ('Childhood for All' NGO, Moldova), Maria Ivannikova (AIDS Infoshare, Russia), Tatiana Stupak ('Victoria' NGO, Kazakhstan), Larisa Dementieva (Federal Service for Protection of Consumer Rights and Human Wellbeing)

All photo credit: UNAIDS/Serge Golovach

Under the theme “facing the challenge”, the first Eastern European and Central Asian AIDS conference (EECCAAC) welcomed around 1500 participants in Moscow from 15 to 17 May. This first regional conference provided an important forum for political leaders, scientists and researchers, people living with HIV and representatives from civil society to take stock of the AIDS response in the region. The EECAAC will be held every two years, and will replace the annual Russian National AIDS Conference in Suzdal.

During the last decade, the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia have experienced one of the world’s fastest growing HIV epidemics. By the end of 2005, more than 1.6 million people were already living with HIV in the region and around 75% of the reported HIV infections between 2000 and 2004 were in people under 30. The escalating epidemic threatens to accelerate the demographic crisis, seriously impact the workforce and national security, and put a heavy burden on the already strained health sector in the region.

This conference is being held in light of recent expanding national health spending in the most affected countries of the region. Domestic spending on AIDS in Russia is slated to increase by 20 times in 2006 to over US$100 million. In 2005, Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin established HIV prevention as a national priority.

“AIDS is one of the greatest challenges facing Eastern Europe and Central Asia today,” said Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, during his keynote address at the conference. “Fear and stigma are truly the best friends of HIV. To get ahead of the epidemic, stigma and discrimination must be tackled head-on, and HIV prevention and treatment services must be urgently scaled up.”

The conference programme is divided into three parts: Leadership, Science and Community. The Leadership programme will focus on political, social, business and media leadership necessary to stem the epidemic. The scientific programme will bring together clinicians and researchers to provide critical insight into the various aspects of addressing HIV in the region (ranging from epidemiological surveillance to clinical treatment). The community programme will highlight the response of AIDS service organizations, NGOs and people living with HIV and provide a forum for exchange of knowledge and experience.

The expected outcomes of the conference are enhanced political leadership and commitment, increased technical capacity building, and partnerships with civil society and people living with HIV. The conference will set the stage for three major events on the global AIDS response: the High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York, June 2006; the G8 Summit in Saint Petersburg, July 2006; and the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto, August 2006.

The Conference Organizing Committee is co-chaired by Dr. G.G. Onishenko, Head of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumers Protection and Welfare, Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, and Craig McClure, President of the International AIDS Society. The committee is composed of international organizations and representatives of Russia and other CIS countries.

Related Links

Photo Gallery
Speech by UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot
Speech by Prof Lars O. Kallings, Special Envoy of the Secretary General for HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia   (ru)