[Originally posted 14 June 2010]

AIDS 2010 will take place at a pivotal time in the HIV epidemic. This is the target year that the leaders of the Group of 8 (G8) -- and eventually all UN member states -- set for achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Since the universal access target was set five years ago, we have made significant strides:

• By December 2008, over four million people were receiving antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries, one million more than in the previous year.
• Almost half of all pregnant women living with HIV in low- and middle-income countries received antiretrovirals to prevent mother-to-child transmission.
• More people were counseled and tested for HIV in 2008 than in previous years.
• More children living with HIV are benefiting from treatment and care programmes.

Kicosehp NGO, Kibera Community Self Help programme, Kenya. Credit: UNAIDS/G. Pirozzi.

Though we still have far to go, this progress is tangible evidence of the feasibility of scaling up HIV programmes, even in the poorest areas.

This recent experience has also has demonstrated that investing in HIV leads to much broader health benefits. HIV investments have strengthened underlying health systems, improved maternal and child health outcomes and lessened the impact of other deadly diseases, most notably TB.  

2010 is also an exciting time in the epidemic as ongoing research continues to demonstrate the potent effect of antiretroviral treatment on reducing rates of HIV transmission. Providing HIV treatment to everyone in need will save the lives of millions people living with HIV. That alone is reason to do it. However, a growing body of evidence also demonstrates that expanding treatment to all in need would also dramatically reduce the risk of transmission to others. 

Unfortunately, the recent progress in scaling up HIV services and the new evidence of the impact of antiretroviral drugs on HIV transmission have emerged just as we are seeing troubling signs that political support for universal access may be waning.

Our message from Vienna next month will be strong and clear. It is time to finish what we started. Time to demonstrate that the commitment made to universal access in 2005 -- to Southern Africa and to all low- and middle-income countries that bear the brunt of the HIV burden -- was not just political theatrics; that their words will be backed up with adequate funding to support universal access. 

In two weeks, leaders of the G8 and Group of 20 will hold their summits in Canada. These meetings, and the October replenishment meeting of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, will be critical tests of leadership for the G8 and G20. These meetings are important opportunities to demonstrate if they will follow through on their commitment to universal access -- or if they will retreat.

The research presented at AIDS 2010 will offer more compelling evidence and arguments for the way forward. The IAS and our international, local and regional partners are also particularly excited about the many opportunities AIDS 2010 will provide for examining the connection between human rights and HIV, including the right to drug policies based on evidence of what works. We know, for example, that opioid substitution therapy for people who inject drugs reduces the risk of HIV transmission and is associated with reductions in heroin use, criminal activity and deaths due to overdoses. Yet, it is available only to a fraction of those around the world who need it, including those in many parts of the world where the HIV epidemic is fuelled by injection drug use.

In the coming weeks, this blog will host posts from our organizing partners about the varied dimensions of the conference theme, Rights Here, Right Now, in addition to posts from the conference secretariat with important news and updates. During the conference, the blog will also feature posts from a range of conference participants and updates on key conference developments.

As the posts here will reflect, AIDS 2010 is not just a meeting. It’s an opportunity for individuals working at all levels of the response to HIV to share and learn best practices in order to improve our effectiveness and strengthen the global response. The conference is a place for scientific enquiry and political debate. And, very importantly, it is a place to hold leaders accountable. Together, we will do just that.