Press conference
Press Conference Invitation: 19th European AIDS Conference opens in Warsaw
Two decades after Warsaw first hosted the European AIDS Conference, the city becomes a focal point for HIV and AIDS discussions once more. The 19th European AIDS Conference brings together Europe’s leading HIV and AIDS specialists for discussions that will combine past learnings with a roadmap for the future. Warsaw symbolises the conference's focus on Central and Eastern Europe, a region that has seen significant HIV advances but still has many unmet needs.
A press conference will be held on the afternoon of the conference opening:
Date: Wednesday, 18 October 2023
Time: 15:45 - 16:15 CEST
Location: Room ETIUDA, EXPO XXI, Warsaw
- You are encouraged to join in person but you can also participate and ask questions online
Remote Access: YouTube Live (see below)
Registration: Not required
Speakers
- Prof. Miłosz Parczewski, Infectious Diseases Consultant and Professor of Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University and Regional Hospital in Szczecin.
- Prof. Sanjay Bhagani, Professor and Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases/HIV Medicine, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
- Dr Esteban Martínez, President of EACS, Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Hospital Clínic of Barcelona (Spain) and Associate Professor of Medicine at University of Barcelona.
Their introductory statements will cover:
- Reducing inequalities in standards of care for HIV across Europe and ensuring equitable access to treatment, especially in Poland and Eastern Europe where gaps are larger.
- With Ukraine having the second highest rate in Europe of people living with HIV, how to resolve the challenges faced by Ukrainian migrants.
- Combatting Stigma and Discrimination, which still hinders early diagnosis and effective treatment of HIV.
Contact: Anita Kelly, +32 498 11 21 48, media@eacsociety.org
Press releases
Press release: European AIDS Conference Returns to Warsaw after two Decades
- European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) holds its biennial AIDS conference in Warsaw from 18–21 October
- Europe’s top HIV and AIDS specialists will discuss progress on HIV treatment and care across the region. The Conference returns to Warsaw after 20 years to shine a light on challenges and achievements in Central and Eastern Europe.
- Join the opening day press conference, 18 October at 15:45 - 16:15 CEST
Warsaw, 11 October. Two decades after first hosting the European AIDS Conference, Warsaw opens its doors again from 18-21 October. The 19th edition of the biennial conference brings together Europe’s most esteemed HIV and AIDS specialists for discussions that will combine past learnings with a roadmap for the future.
This year's theme, "It's Time to Revisit," will look at the progress made since the 2003 Conference. Warsaw symbolises the Conference's focus on Central and Eastern Europe, a region that has seen significant HIV advances but still has many unmet needs.
Over 3.5 days, sessions led by clinicians, researchers and community representatives will delve into the most pressing themes including:
- Antiretroviral Therapy - in particular equitable access across Europe.
- Stigma – which remains a barrier to HIV prevention and care.
- Mental Health which brings different dimensions to patient care, requiring integrated approaches.
- Breastfeeding – with debates around the best breastfeeding practices for women living with HIV and the need for evidence-based policy.
- HIV Prevention and PrEP - how to improve the inadequate prevention strategies, including education, that are resulting in concerning numbers of new diagnoses. And how to remove the hurdles to PrEP in terms of cost, availability, and acceptance.
A dedicated session will take place on the impact of the war in Ukraine on HIV epidemiology and care services. The Conference will provide interpretation of numerous sessions in Ukrainian and Russian.
Abstracts and clinical cases from over 850 research projects will be on display. The latest EACS Guidelines for Europe-wide HIV treatment will be made available at the Conference.
The Conference is co-chaired by EACS President Esteban Martínez, Justyna Kowalska, Professor of Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw and Senior Consultant at Warsaw's Hospital for Infectious Diseases, and Magdalena Ankiersztejn-Bartczak, CEO of the Foundation for Social Education, Warsaw.
"The Warsaw Conference is about connecting the dots between our past and our future. Advancements in HIV care didn't come easily; they took time, effort, and a great deal of learning. We come together in Warsaw to continue to learn from our community so that we can tackle today’s challenges, improve care standards across Europe and get closer to eradicating HIV and AIDS as public health threats” said Esteban Martínez.
To engage the broader public, the Conference will have a range of activities aimed at the local community. These include a Red Ribbon display on city buildings, an HIV awareness week at the Medical University of Warsaw, a mobile harm reduction service carrying out free and anonymous tests for HIV, Hepatitis C and STIs, and a special group run "Living Free with HIV". All are welcome to join.
Click to see the full programme of the 19th European AIDS Conference and Warsaw city events.
Contact EACS media: media@eacsociety.org or call Anita Kelly on +32 498 11 21 48
