South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African Government delegation to the 21st International AIDS Conference scheduled to officially open today, Monday 18 July 2016, at the Durban International Convention Centre.
Deputy President Ramaphosa, who is also the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) will be supported by the Inter-Ministerial Committee led by Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe and includes Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi.
The Conference is expected to be attended by over 12 000 delegates from across the world including United Nation Secretary-General (UNSG) Ban Ki Moon, Dr. Olive Shisana, Bill Gates, Chris Beyrer, Charlize Theron, UNAids Executive Director Michel Sidibe, former African Heads of States and government and health ministers from across the world.
The official opening of the Conference which is organised around the theme, "Access Equity Rights”, coincides with the Nelson Mandela International Day 18 July and will provide delegates with an opportunity to join the international community in honouring the late President, Nelson Mandela.
Accordingly and in this regard, the South African delegation will utilise the Conference to communicate that "it is in our hands” to create an HIV-Free-Generation.
South Africa will also utilise conference to extend its gratitude to the international donors for their support and solidarity in the fight against the HIV epidemic.
The South African delegation will also utilise the opportunity of the Conference to convey the progress made in the fight against HIV.
Today South Africa has had the largest HIV testing campaign. We have launched a most ambitious programme to control the TB epidemic by screening 90 % of those at risk and successfully treating 90% of TB cases including multi-drug resistant cases.
As a result of the HIV treatment programme this has resulted in the increase of life expectancy from 53 years in 2006 to 61 in 2014 and continues to grow.
Key events Monday, 18 July 2016
Among other key events today, Monday 18 July 2016, Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to pay a courtesy call on UNSG Ban Ki Moon, jointly attend an interactive session with young women on HIV prevention; deliver the opening address of the Conference and receive a memorandum from civil society.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
