04 December 2017 - The 19th ICASA International Conference for Africa opens today in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire on the theme “Africa: Ending AIDS-delivering differently”. The conference will be opened by his Excellency Mr  Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.
 
This conference engages the whole continent and all stakeholders in the post SDG framework, where sustainability of the response in reaching 90, 90, 90 of UNAIDS will not be possible if Human rights are not key priority for a new vision of leadership in the context of strengthening the application of science based evidence.
 
The 19th ICASA is an opportunity to renew this global commitment by drawing the world’s attention to the fact that the legacy is now under threat as a result of the global economic downturn. This year’s ICASA is an opportunity for the international community, and all Africans, to join efforts in committing to achieving an AIDS-free Africa.
 
Given the urgency of the issue we are anticipating 7 000 -10 000 of the world’s leading scientists, policy makers, activists, PLHIV, government leaders – as well as a number of heads of state and civil society representatives – will be joining the debate on how to achieve this vision.
 
The conference will be chaired by Dr Ihab AbdelRhaman Ahmed, an epidemiologist and President of the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA). It will be co-chaired by Dr. Raymonde Coffie Goudou, Ministry of Health representing the Government of Côte d’Ivoire.
 
The conference will be an excellent opportunity to promote inter-sectoral achievements in the AIDS response and to strengthen the partnership among governments, civil society, and development partners.
 
The objectives of ICASA 2017:

• Promote innovation, partnerships to increase domestic investments to achieve 90/90/90 targets
• Integrate approaches for sustainable Responses towards ending AIDS, TB, Hepatitis and associated diseases
• Translating science into action to maximize programme impact
• Provide a platform to Maintain and Sustain Investment for CSO and FBO’s
• Provide a platform to promote rights-based models to overcome structural and policy barriers towards universal access