As an active player in global efforts to address HIV and AIDS, Canada is pleased to support the XVIII International AIDS Conference taking place in Vienna, Austria, on July 18-23, 2010.  With a theme of Rights Here, Right Now, the 2010 conference seeks to emphasize that protecting human rights is fundamental for an effective response to HIV across the globe.  

Respect for diversity and the promotion and protection of human rights are key pillars of the Government of Canada’s response to HIV and AIDS.  To support these aims, Canada invested $440,000 in AIDS 2010 through the International AIDS Society.  The Government of Canada looks forward to working with international leaders in the HIV/AIDS community, including scientists, policy makers, advocates, community volunteers, and people living with HIV/AIDS, to help end this pandemic.

Canada’s Minister of Health, Leona Aglukkaq, will represent the Government of Canada at this year’s conference and will be joined by representatives from the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, the Canadian Institutes for Health Research , the Correctional Service of Canada , and the Canadian International Development Agency .

At this year’s conference, Canada will co-host several satellite sessions on key issues like HIV and men who have sex with men, HIV/AIDS and disability, and HIV vaccines. Additionally, the Government of Canada is funding the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network to provide a session on HIV/AIDS and Indigenous People.

Progress has been made in research and policies addressing HIV and AIDS in Canada over the last 25 years; however, the Government of Canada recognizes that there is still much work to be done. Domestically, the Government of Canada will invest more than $72 million this year alone to address HIV and AIDS through two key programs. The Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative represents Canada’s contribution to the global effort to develop an HIV vaccine, while the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS focuses on addressing the root causes that make people vulnerable to HIV infection.

Through these investments and continued collaboration with our international partners, the Government of Canada remains committed to a comprehensive, long-term approach in the global response to HIV and AIDS.

We invite you to check this page often as AIDS 2010 news and updates will be posted regularly leading up to and during the conference.