AFRICAN UNION TO COMMEMORATE WORLD AIDS DAY ON DECEMBER 1ST

Theme: “Getting To Zero: Zero New HIV Infections”

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

When: Tuesday 1ST December 2015

Where: African Union Headquarters, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, AU Medical Services in the New AU Conference Center

Time: 9:00 am

Who: Organised by the Medical Services Directorate of the African Union Commission (AUC)

Theme: The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day “Getting To Zero: Zero New HIV Infections” underscores the importance of Zero New HIV Infections; Zero Discrimination; and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.

Why: World AIDS Day is celebrated on the 1st December each year to mobilize people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Objectives:
The objective of the commemoration of World AIDS Day include among others:
i. To raise awareness on the need for Prevention and promote throughout the continent, programmes for the total eradication of HIV/AIDS;
ii. To encourage member States to intensify efforts relating to antiretroviral treatment of HIV and to extend such efforts to primary healthcare centers;
To raise awareness on the need to continue to address the needs and rights of women and girls in the context of HIV and sexual reproductive health;
iv. Mobilize political support for high level leadership and ownership on, and active engagement in country-driven efforts;
v. To promote and popularize the AU Commission HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy among the staff of the Commission.
Activities: This year the African Union Commission will celebrate World
AIDS Day with the following activities:
• Free Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing
• HIV awareness campaigns
• Distribution of red ribbons and other advocacy materials
• Protective gear promotion events
• Communications activities
Background:
The first World AIDS Day was in 1988. Since then, AIDS has become one of the defining issues of our time. Africa has made significant progress in the fight against AIDS. The rate of new infections has declined or stabilized in many African States. AIDS deaths are declining as treatment programmes expand.
However, the key populations at higher risk of HIV infection need to be covered by essential services in order to reverse the epidemic. Young people, women and girls on the continent are disproportionately infected with and affected by HIV.
Journalists are invited to cover the event tomorrow, 1st December 2015, as from 9 am.
Interview requests should be directed to Mrs. Esther Azaa Tankou, Head of Information Division, Directorate of Information and Communication, African Union Commission,
Tel: +251 911 3611 85, e-mail: yamboue@africa-union.org.
For further information:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia
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The African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. AU Vision: to accelerate progress towards an integrated, prosperous and inclusive Africa, at peace with itself, playing a dynamic role in the continental and global arena, effectively driven by an accountable, efficient and responsive Commission. Learn more at: http://www.au.int/en/