The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) will host the 9th Taipei International Conference on HIV/AIDS in the Howard International House Taipei on September 27 and 28, 2008.The topics to be discussed at this year’s conference include “Epidemiology and Prevention Strategies of HIV/AIDS” , “IDUs and Harm Reduction” , ”HIV/AIDS Prevention for Susceptive Groups” , “The Issues of Treatment and Drug Resistance” , and “Preventive Interventions, Consultation and Referral of HIV Infection”.This conference is convened periodically to provide opportunity for international exchange of successful experiences in HIV/AIDS prevention and promote international interactions.

This year, the conference organizer has invited the inventor of HIV/AIDS “cocktail” treatment method, Dr. David Ho, to give the opening speech, Dr. Anthony David Harries, Senior Advisor for the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, to talk about “Global Challenge: Epidemiology and Strategies for Managing HIV and TB” , and Professor Kenrad Nelson from the Johns Hopkins University to talk about “The Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in Asia: HIV/AIDS Control in Thailand”. In addition, several other domestic and international well-known scholars have also been invited to give speeches on priority concerns for HIV/AIDS prevention in order to further improve the existing HIV/AIDS prevention strategies.

The conference was first convened in 1998.Since then, the conference is held every two years.This year’s conference has attracted over 750 participants, reaching a record high.Clearly, the international community has become more and more concerned about HIV/AIDS prevention.Besides spectacular speeches to be given at this year’s conference, the conference organizer has also invited non-governmental organizations for HIV/AIDS prevention and care to join the conference and set up booths at the conference venue.Moreover, this year’s conference is hosting the first poster competition in an attempt to further enhance research capacity and promote interactions among domestic and international scholars and experts and non-governmental organizations.

Numerous domestic and international scholars and experts, all agencies under the Executive Yuan, and non-governmental organizations have been gathered togethered to jointly participate in the conference, discuss HIV/AIDS related issues, and provide reference for formulation of future HIV/AIDS prevention programs and policies.

A copy of the conference agenda can be found in the attachment.