AIDS 2002 Barcelona conference theme [Archives:2002/29/Health]

The theme of the XIV International AIDS Conference is KNOWLEDGE AND COMMITMENT FOR ACTION. The theme was selected to reinforce the need that all involved sectors at all levels, including scientists, the community, people working in the field, and the public and private sectors, work together to review the knowledge gained through science and experience, and use this knowledge to commit to action. This action must be focused across all aspects of HIV/AIDS and include all infected and affected groups.
Over the years, knowledge gained from the basic and clinical sciences has been dramatically important, and has contributed greatly to increasing the life expectancy and quality of life of affected persons. Moreover, prevention efforts have succeeded in reducing the rate of new infections in many populations around the world, though there is still much work to be done in this area. The pandemic is expanding in many parts of the world, particularly among the poor and other vulnerable populations, and access to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies is available to only an extremely small percentage of at-risk and affected people.
On the other hand, at the highest political levels, there is a growing awareness of the magnitude and impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. On June 27, 2001, 189 member countries of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session, UNGASS, on HIV/AIDS approved a Declaration of Commitment to address the problem in all its aspects as well as to secure a global commitment to enhancing coordination and intensification of national, regional and international efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in a comprehensive manner.
As a result, it is now clearer than ever that progress in the fight against this pandemic will depend not only on scientific developments, educational programs and support programs, but also on political commitment to act globally.

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