Media [International Conference on AIDS (11th: 1996: Vancouver, Canada)]

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XI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS OPENS WITH GLOBAL PANDEMIC
AT CROSSROADS OF HOPE AND URGENCY, ORGANISERS SAY
VANCOUVER (July 7, 1996) - The XI International Conference on AIDS opened today in Vancouver, Canada, with
Organisers expressing cautious optimism that recent medical-scientific advances could represent an historic turning
point in the fight against the global pandemic.
However, they expressed grave concern that the benefits of new treatment and prevention measures will be lost and
people will continue to suffer unless governments around the world renew their commitments.
Furthermore, they noted that even with the exciting medical-scientific advances expected, there is still a tremendous
amount of work to be done to achieve the twin goals of complete prevention and an outright cure.
"As the XI International Conference on AIDS convenes here in Vancouver, we find ourselves at a crossroads in the
AIDS pandemic;" Conference Co-Chair Dr. Martin Schechter said. "Down one fork in the road is hope and optimism
built on exciting new medical-scientific developments and the energy of community groups everywhere to finally
overcome this pandemic.
"But unless political leaders and their governments begin to show the necessary leadership and indicate their willingness to commit and sustain the necessary resources, and to act in concert with medical scientists,
community activists and care-givers, then the doom-and-gloom of previous Conferences will rear its ugly face in the
future."
The XI International Conference on AIDS, July 7 -12, has attracted almost 15,000 participants from 125 countries,
making it the largest ever gathering of medical experts, health-care workers, persons living with HIV/AIDS, commercial
exhibitors and news media.
The record number of participants in Vancouver illustrates the value and benefits of organising and hosting a global
roundtable, said Conference Co-Chair, Dr. Michael Rekart."The people who have gathered here, including more than
1,500 from the developing world, give ample proof to the re-energised commitment of those who are on the frontlines of this pandemic" Dr. Rekart said.
"It is because of the work of clinicians, researchers, activists and many, many others in the global HIV and AIDS
community that there continues to be a need for gatherings such as the Vancouver Conference. If we were
disconnected from each other - that is, if we did not have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas on a regular
basis - then our common need to defeat this baffling scourge would suffer a debilitating and costly setback"