The International AIDS Conference is coming to an end. Next edition will be in San Francisco – AIDS Agency

It was five days, more than 15 thousand people and about 160 countries. The 22nd International AIDS Conference was closed this afternoon in Amsterdam and brought together researchers, activists, politicians and managers to discuss innovation, research and the rights of people living with HIV / AIDS. HIV / AIDS. The highlight of this edition was the record number of youth who participated in the event, which accounted for one-third of the exhibited works.

Linda Gail, in her latest speech as President of the International Aids Society (IAS), spoke of the importance of celebrating achievements such as the Undetectable = Incontestable, PrEP and Further Advances in research. "Stigma and discrimination are still very much in the lives of those who have HIV, and it is important that the key population be included in strategies for responding to the virus."

Now the new president of the world IAS is Anton Pozniak. He is Director of HIV Services in London and a leader in tuberculosis services for the Trust Antibiotic Policy Group. Anton has studied medicine at the University of Bristol and has been dealing with HIV since 1983.

The next edition of the conference will be held in the city of San Francisco, United States. The place is a source of controversy, especially among the social movement. While some argue that the IAS must choose another country to host the event – since many people in key populations have been denied entry into the United States, others activists say, "America is not Trump and there is no fear We must be free everywhere. This is not the time to flee or give up. "

Final Balance

Brazilians and other participants from different parts of the world gave an update on the 22nd International AIDS Conference. was the event and what can be improved for the next edition:

Rodrigo Pinheiro, President of the NGO / AIDS Forum of the State of São Paulo: the most depoliticized that I I participated and the activism of the Brazilians who were here reaffirmed. "

Demetre Daskalakis, New York: " This conference was very positive from the point of view of diversity and people here, it was positive for the community, for the governments and the organizers.From the point of view of the conclusions, for me, the most important is that people know that the undetectable is equal to no I have attended scientific conferences, community gatherings and conferences on public health. It was an event that brought all the parties together. This is so that every conference should be, with great respect for everyone's experience. "

Keila Simpon, President of Antra (National Association of Transbaduals and Transbaduals): " It was important that Brazil and Brazil population in this Conference. This is the third time I participate in an event like this and in Amsterdam, it's the first time I see the topic of trans frequently in different debates. I've also been to the Global Village and I've been able to share many experiences from the trans world. One of the topics that caught my attention in recent days was the debates on PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Many countries do not distribute this drug for free, as is the case in the SUS. "

K.S.M Taric – Bangladesh: " I learned a lot from this lecture and I will take what I learned for my country. For me, the most important issues were related to support and funding. How to support good programs, how to better manage financial resources. Thus, we can realize our projects. "

José Araújo Lima Filho, MOPAIDS (Paulistano Fight Against Aids Movement): " This Conference was very interesting, I have not participated in it for a long time and I come back to Brazil with more than courage to continue fighting for the rights of people living with HIV / AIDS. I'm bringing my country into the field of activism that is growing when you find 15,000 people fighting the AIDS epidemic, criminalization and human rights. Discussing key populations from other countries' perspective and realities was fantastic. The broad debate on criminalization was the culmination of this conference. I also participated in a conversation with French colleagues and I discovered that the criminalization of prostitution in France has resulted in more violence and new HIV infections. "

Fatema Katum, Bangladesh: " In my opinion, I learned the most from this conference about co-infection between TB and HIV. I will bring this knowledge to other events in which I will participate throughout the year, in my region. "

Vilma Cervantes, CRT (Center for Reference and Training in STD / AIDS): " The Conference is still legal to renew the forces. Seeing global mobilization around the HIV response and people looking for alternatives to move forward in this fight were fantastic. With respect to the issues discussed, what caught my attention was the reduction in funding. Countries dependent on external donation are well under threat, these are places that can not sustain the response. "

Paula Ivone, Head of Prevention of the STD / AIDS State Program: " The debate on undetectable is equal to non-transferable was very intense in this Conference, which strengthens us in this discussion. I've also seen a lot of talk about bad workers, showing the importance of working with this population. The results of the implementation of PrEP in other countries have shown that we are on the right track, there is a decrease in the number of new HIV infections where PrEP has arrived earlier. "

Moysés Toniolo Living with HIV / AIDS and a member of the National Board of Health's Anaids: " This is my second experience at international events, I felt safer to participate in AIDS policy debates, and I had presentations on universal health systems, and the highlight of this conference is the certainty that the world needs The message that remains is that we need to be more united in fighting the neoliberal wave that is hampering all health policies, especially the anti-AIDS policy. AIDS in the world. "

Jessica Paula (jessica @ agenciaaids