The 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa takes place in Dakar on 3-7 December 2008. This year’s theme for Africa's leading forum for discussion of HIV developments and trends is “Africa’s Response: Face the facts.”
UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and UNAIDS and UNICEF Special Representative HRH Princess Mathilde of Belgium spent 6 December learning firsthand the successes and challenges faced in Dakar in providing HIV prevention and treatment services, in particular for women, children and young people.

The 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa takes place in Dakar on 3-7 December 2008. This year’s theme for Africa's leading forum for discussion of HIV developments and trends is “Africa’s Response: Face the facts.”
Princess Mathilde and UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot opened the first session on youth leadership, which was moderated by UNAIDS Special Representative Gaetano Kagwa, a Ugandan national and well-known AIDS advocate. They were joined by representatives of youth non-governmental organizations from Cameroon, Botswana, Senegal, and Zambia.

Also Religious and traditional leaders reflected on their roles and responsibilities in the response to the HIV on Friday in a session moderated by UNAIDS Director of Partnerships and External Relations Mr Elhadj Amadou Sy. The session took the form of a debate, where the audience posed questions to the panel.

The 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa takes place in Dakar on 3-7 December 2008. This year’s theme for Africa's leading forum for discussion of HIV developments and trends is “Africa’s Response: Face the facts.”
During a plenary session at ICASA on Thursday Dr Piot emphasized the need to maintain an exceptional response to AIDS, not only as a short term emergency but as a long-term event that requires broad partnerships, leadership and commitment. “We can not predict the future but we can certainly influence it,” said Dr Piot.

The 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa takes place in Dakar on 3-7 December 2008. This year’s theme for Africa's leading forum for discussion of HIV developments and trends is “Africa’s Response: Face the facts.”

Youssou Ndour and Angelique Kidjo opened the conference on Wednesday night by singing the official ICASA 2008 song.

The President of the Republic of Senegal Abdoulaye Wade welcomed delegates and a series of speeches were delivered by Professor Souleymane Mboup (President of ICASA) ; Dr D.M.Owili, Secretaire generale de la societe africaine anti SIDA (SAA) ; Miss Souadou Ndoye, ICASA Youth Representative ; Madame Jeanne Gapiya spoke on behlf of civil society. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and Dr Rufaro Chatora, Representative of the WHO Regional Director also spoke. A message from His Highness the King of Morocco was delivered by Her Highness Princess Lalla Salma.

In Geneva, a fundraising solidarity lunch and bake sale took place at the UNAIDS Secretariat. The co-organizers were UNAIDS, WHO, ILO, UNESCO, UNPlus, UNAIDS Staff Association, International AIDS Society, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, International Bureau of Education, UN Cares, World YWCA and World Alliance of YMCA. It was followed by a film festival and later in the evening the UN family, missions, people living with HIV, faith communities and civil society groups joined together for a torchlight march and inter-religious service to commemorate World AIDS Day.

Several events and activities took place around the world on 1st December to commemorate World AIDS Day.

Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS, marked the 20th World AIDS Day at a ceremony in Durban, together with South Africa’s Deputy President, Ms Baleka Mbete and South African Health Minister Barbara Hogan.

UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot visited India this week where he held a series of meetings and engagements with Government and civil society.

UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and UNAIDS Special Representative, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway were in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv this week to call for strengthened leadership in the AIDS response in the country which has Europe’s most severe AIDS epidemic.

During the visit in Kiev, Dr Piot and the Crown Princess met with key representatives from government and civil society to support efforts to stop the spread of HIV and address the growing needs of people living with HIV in Ukraine.

Dr Piot later addressed the Presidential Council of Ukraine. President Yushchenko also addressed the meeting.

Portraits of Commitment” is a stunning and thought-provoking book of photographic portraits which was launched by the Asia Pacific leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS and Development (APLF). The book features people from all walks of life in South Asia who, for a range of different reasons, are working to raise awareness among their communities about HIV.