Minister Ambrose to attend 20th International AIDS Conference in Australia

Building on achievements and exploring new ways to find a cure for HIV/AIDS

OTTAWA, July 18, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, will be in Melbourne next week at the 20^th International AIDS Conference. Canada is making many significant contributions in the areas of testing and treatment guidance; vaccine development and research; and international partnerships to combat this deadly disease. The Conference is an opportunity for Canada to further collaborate with experts, researchers, policy makers and people committed to addressing HIV/AIDS from around the world on advancing innovative research towards finding a cure, and improving prevention efforts, diagnosis, treatment and care for those living with HIV/AIDS.

While in Melbourne, Minister Ambrose will visit the Victorian Aboriginal Health Services (VAHS) to learn about the work it does in providing a range of services from medical, dental and social services to Australia's indigenous population.

The Minister and Canadian researchers will also go to the Burnet Institute to learn about its work in HIV/AIDS research and public health, and to share Canada's advances in research.

While at the Conference, the Minister will meet with her counterparts from other countries to discuss their respective efforts to address HIV/AIDS and other shared health priorities. She will also meet with domestic and international partners in Canada's response to HIV/AIDS, including:

• the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS);
• the International Indigenous Working Group on HIV & AIDS;
• the National Aboriginal Council on HIV/AIDS; and
• Canadian civil society organizations.

Quick Facts

• The 20^th International AIDS Conference takes place in Melbourne, Australia, July 20-25, 2014. The theme of this year's conference is Stepping up the Pace, referring to the need to build on recent momentum and optimism to ensure that HIV remains on top of the global agenda and to increase the pace to ultimately reverse the trajectory of the epidemic.
• Canada is pleased to support the 2014 International Indigenous Pre-conference on HIV and AIDS: Our Story, Our Time, Our Future through its partnership with the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network. This pre-conference is an opportunity to highlight the Indigenous context as it relates to HIV/AIDS and for participants to learn from one another, exchange ideas and return home with a renewed commitment to addressing HIV/AIDS in Indigenous populations.
• Canada is proud to be an active player in addressing HIV and AIDS on many fronts. Through the Federal Initiative to Address HIV/AIDS in Canada and the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative, Canada is investing over $86 million this year alone and over $700 million since 2006 to address HIV and AIDS.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada released its HIV Screening and Testing Guide to health care providers across Canada last year. The goal of the guide is to make HIV testing available to more people as part of their routine medical care so that those who may have otherwise remained unaware of infection can access available treatment and take steps to prevent the spread of infection.
• Canada's global HIV/AIDS efforts, through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development focuses on strengthening health systems; maternal, newborn and child health; and investing in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS.  For example, Canada has been a strong supporter of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since its inception in 2002. Canada was pleased to increase its contribution by 20% for the 2014-2016 period and is proud to have contributed to the Global Fund's achievement in ensuring that 6.1 million people are currently receiving lifesaving antiretroviral treatment for AIDS.
• From May 28 to 30, 2014, in Toronto, the Prime Minister hosted Saving Every Woman, Every Child: Within Arm's Reach. At the Summit, Canada committed $3.5 billion in support for the period of 2015-2020 and renewed global momentum to advance maternal, newborn and child health as a global priority beyond 2015. Canada's contribution will continue to target the most effective ways to reduce maternal and child deaths by prioritizing three programmatic areas: strengthening of health systems, improving nutrition, and reducing the burden of leading diseases, including AIDS.

Quotes

"Our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues touched by the tragedy of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. We have learned that many of those on board were bound for the International AIDS Conference. They will be remembered as we continue to fight this disease."
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health

""I am proud to take part in the 20th International AIDS Conference. This conference provides a valuable opportunity to build on our achievements, share what we've learned and explore new ways to build capacity where it's needed, so that we can put an end to this epidemic by working together internationally towards finding a cure."
The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of Health

Associated Links

• 20th International AIDS Conference: http://www.aids2014.org/
• Canada's Response to HIV/AIDS: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/aids-sida/2014-aids-sida-conf-eng.php

SOURCE: Public Health Agency of Canada

Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Minister of Health
[phone]

Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
[phone]