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The XVII International AIDS Conference

The XVII International AIDS Conference was held in México City from 3-8 August 2008. This was the first International AIDS Conference held in Latin America, and it drew more than 25,000 participants from around the world. The conference marked the midpoint to the 2010 global target on Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The Conference theme – Universal Action Now – underscored the continued urgency of working towards universal access. UNDP supported a number of events at the Conference, including the following sessions:

UNDP Sessions and Events held during the Conference

From Commitment to Action: Implementing Effective Responses on Gender and AIDS
Monday 4th August, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Session Room 5
This session addressed the intersection between gender and AIDS, and explored experiences in advancing gender equality and empowering women through national AIDS responses. Essential gender actions will be considered for countries facing generalized epidemics where women are disproportionately living with and affected by AIDS, as well as for concentrated epidemic settings where sex work, drug use and sex between males play a key role in epidemic dynamics. (Organized with the UNAIDS Secretariat and UNIFEM). Kaiser Webcast

AIDS, Race, Gender and Inequality in the Americas
Tuesday 5th August, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Session Room 2
This session addressed how race, gender and inequality affect vulnerability to HIV, and influence access to prevention, treatment, care and support services. Panelists explored current responses to the epidemic in Latin America, the Caribbean and North America, and whether sufficient attention was being paid to the key factors driving vulnerability. Presentations included special attention to issues of race, gender, inequality and stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV.

Red Ribbon Award: On behalf of the UNAIDS family, UNDP hosted the Red Ribbon Award which celebrates community leadership and action on AIDS. This year around 50 representatives from the 25 Red Ribbon winning organizations participated in the International AIDS Conference. The five award winners received special recognition at a high-level Red Ribbon Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner took place on Wednesday 6th August.

Community Dialogue Space: With support from UNDP and partners, the Community Dialogue Space at the heart of the Global Village was hosted by representatives of the 25 Red Ribbon Award organizations. The space provided a unique forum for community leaders to learn from one another and for policymakers to dialogue with community groups to learn about the complexities of the epidemic as experienced at the local level. Senior policy makers such as Rebeca Grynspan (Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean), Mary Robinson (Executive Director, Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative) and Edwin Cameron (Justice of the South African Supreme Court of Appeal) hosted discussions with community-based organizations, on how the global community can better support work at the local level.

Additional sessions supported by UNDP

The Intersections between Violence against Women and AIDS (organized by UNIFEM, with UNDP support)
Sunday 3rd August, Skills Building Room 6, 1.30 – 3.30 pm

Women and Children's Property Rights in the Era of AIDS (organized by FAO, with UNDP support)
Sunday 3rd August, Skills Building Room 1, 3.45 – 5.45 pm

The Lancet Series on HIV Prevention (Presentation by Jeffrey O'Malley, UNDP)
Tuesday 5th August, Session Room 9, 12.45 – 2.15 pm

New Frontiers in HIV Prevention Science (Presentation by Jeffrey O'Malley, UNDP)
Tuesday 5th August, Session Room 1, 4.30 – 6.00 pm

Reaching diverse populations of Men who Have Sex with Men in Lower and Middle Income Countries (Presentation by Edmund Settle, UNDP)
Tuesday 5th August, Session Room 8, 4.30 – 6.00 pm

Macroeconomic Policies and the Feminization of the AIDS Epidemic (organized by UNIFEM, with UNDP support, Co-Chair: Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP)
Tuesday 5th August, Skills Building Room 4, 6.30 – 8.30 pm

International Legal Initiative to Strengthen National Responses to HIV/AIDS through the Workplace (organized by ILO; presenter: Bechir N’daw, UNDP)
Thursday 7th August, Session Room 8, 6.30 – 8.30 pm

Key Publications

1.) UNDP’s Response to AIDS
English | French | Spanish

2.) Essential Actions on Gender and AIDS
English | Spanish

3.) Human Rights Cards: Know Your Universal Human Rights
English | French | Spanish