NEWS BULLETIN FOR the emphasis of #AIDS2016 which provides an opportunity to understand GOVERNMENT the gravity of the HIV and Aids COMMUNICATORS epidemic, while enabling all stakeholders to look at innovative Issue 1: 20 July 2016 solutions to ensure that we achieve an AIDS-free society in our lifetime. The 21st AIDS International Conference: took off on a high note on the first day at the 21st International Aids Conference taking place at the Durban ICC from 18 to 22 July 2016. The South African delegation is led by Deputy President Ramaphosa, who is also the Chairperson of the South Deputy President also met with the UN African National AIDS Council Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon (SANAC), supported by the Inter- who commended South Africa for its Ministerial Committee led by Minister in progress in the fight against AIDS, the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring particularly in giving access to and Evaluation, Mr and treatment to people affected by HIV, includes Minister of Health Dr. Aaron recalling that the Durban Conference in Motsoaledi. 2000 had set very guidelines to achieve such progress. However, he stressed that much remained to be done at the global level to ensure the ending of the epidemic by 2030. Mr Ramaphosa expressed appreciation for the support lent by the United Nations, through leadership of the SG and UNAIDS in the fight against

HIV and AIDS Deputy President Ramaphosa in South Africa commenced the first day by addressing and globally. a high level Official Opening Press Conference of AIDS2016 Conference. The highlights of the briefing were on

Minister also mentioned MomConnect, a free mobile health application to raise awareness among pregnant women about healthy pregnancy, that has seen already approximately 800 000 registered users on the app, and aim to reach 1 million users by the end of this year.

Deputy President Ramaphosa also received the Treatment4All petition during a march organised by the civil society group. In his remarks, the Deputy President reiterated South Africa's appreciation for the role played by United Nations Secretary-General in advancing the fight against HIV, AIDS Minister of Health, Dr and TB. addressed a satellite session on the side lines of the 21st International Aids Conference titled: ‘We can do it’: No child will be born with HIV in South Africa and announced the launch of

South Africa’s last mile for HIV Elimination of Mother-to-child On the partnership between transmission (EMTCT), which signifies government and civil society, Deputy a phase of accelerated efforts towards President Ramaphosa said: 'We are all an Aids-free generation in the country. on the same side. We are not against This is a remarkable success that is each other; we must never be against aligned to the South African goal of each other; we should be pulling in the reaching zero percent mother-to-child same direction. transmission by 2030. The rate of 'Each one of us must help every one of mother-to-child transmission has been us. We should stop throwing stones; we on a downward trend since 2008 when must start throwing ideas to make sure the government first launched its that people living with HIV are taken Accelerated Plan focused on care of and that we stop further preventing the transmission of HIV from infections.' Deputy President mothers to their new-borns. Ramaphosa urged communities to South Africa has been commended for sustain activism, and committed that its success in reducing its infection rate government would support community- from 8% in 2008 to 1.5% in 2015. driven campaigns.

The South African National AIDS access equity and human rights as Council (SANAC) hosted a Satellite stated in the Constitution. Session on the National Sex Workers The first day was concluded with HIV Plan 2016-2019, chaired by the Deputy President Ramaphosa officially Deputy Minister of Social Development Opening the 21st International Aids Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu. She was Conference during an Opening joined on stage by Deputy Minister of ceremony attended by more than Justice and Constitutional 10 000 delegates. In his remarks, Development John Jeffery. Also in Deputy President payed a moving attendance was Minister of tribute to the many courageous Communications Faith Muthambi. individuals and organisations in South The session unpacked the plan which Africa and across the world who aims to deliver a comprehensive range persistently fought for the right to of services to sex workers which up to treatment and never gave up. now, has been lacking. Services such as provision of condoms, regular testing for HIV/AIDS and TB, to provide psychosocial services, to foster an enabling social, economic, legal and health system, and to support the strengthening of representative sex worker organisations such as Sisonke – the national sex workers movement. The plan seeks to reduce HIV/STI and He highlighted that South Africa now TB-related mortality incidences, as well provides 3.4 million HIV positive people as human rights violations experienced with antiretroviral treatment. Deputy by sex workers. President Ramaphosa emphasised that the struggle against HIV and AIDS has Sex Workers in the audience raised been – and still is – a struggle for a concerns about the slow rate of better society in which the human rights progress in decriminalising sex work. and dignity of all people are recognised Deputy Minister Jeffery outlined the and respected, a society in which men legal position of the country on sex work do not claim dominion over women; a and stated that government continues society in which the powerful do not to engage on the topic. Deputy Minister prey on the vulnerable. Bogopane-Zulu stressed that sex He concluded the Ceremony by workers have the right to social services acknowledging that the world has same as any other South African. surpassed its own global treatment Further emphasis was placed on the targets, by initiating 17 million people concept of “nothing about me without on antiretroviral treatment. me,” and also made reference to

Ramaphosa said “In 2004, there were 70 000 babies born HIV positive in this country; today this has been reduced to less than 6 000. Across the world fewer people are dying from AIDS-related causes. At the centre of our efforts must be a global commitment to massively and purposefully expand the resources dedicated to HIV prevention and treatment.”

Ramaphosa also called on the world to do all it can with the resources it has to save lives - It is in our hands!

Follow us on:

Twitter: @GovernmentZA, @GCISMedia, @AIDS_Conference, @HealthZA, @SAGovNews and @SA_AIDSCOUNCIL join the conversation using the hashtag #AIDS2016 Facebook: GovernmentZA, GCIS and InternationalAIDSConference

The AIDS 2016 fast and functional app is available for download on the App Store and Google Play. By logging onto the app, you will be able to retrieve your itinerary made on the online version of the Programme. Access your schedule on the go!