WWW. ICASA2013DURBAN.COM Durban Online Registration will be opened in June 2012. For more information: www.icasa2013durban.com and www.saafrica.org MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRS The ICASA conference remains one of the opportunity for all role players from basics most important events in the calendar of science researcher, clinical researcher to the year, contributing towards overcoming the drug regulatory authorities and human the HIV and TB epidemics that grip our ethics committees to review the current region. Sub-Saharan Africa remains the state of infectious diseases research in most affected region with over 22 Million Africa. people living with HIV and AIDS and the highest Tuberculosis rates world-wide. No conference can be relevant or Through scientific advancements in the complete without the engagement of the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of communities we serve. Their voices need HIV significant progress has been made to to be present and heard to ensure that reduce the mortality and morbidity of AIDS. scientific research is translated to the leadership in our countries by those most Prevention efforts have been accelerated affected by the public health emergencies by the progress in biomedical interventions leading to widespread death and misery. to reduce HIV transmission. Following The people of Africa, who’s hearts beat as on the successes of the 30 years of HIV one to produce a penetrating pulse in the research, from the discovery of the virus ground to send the message to world not to to over 30 medicines registered and many give up the fight against HIV, Tuberculosis prevention methods in the pipeline, public and Malaria just when success has become health and infectious diseases research has palpable. International resources assigned turned the attention to include Tuberculosis to the improvement of health in resource and Malaria. ICASA represents a massive poor settings, both for social improvement and economic growth, will continue to the public health and research initiatives enhance the region’s ability for economic for the continent. We turn our attention growth, contributing to the global recovery. on the Universities of Africa where future generations of African leaders are groomed. With rising tensions created by the international fi nancial crisis and political ICASA aims to provide researchers with the change impacting the world and Africa, an opportunity of an international stage with increased effort is required to maintain the the light focused on science and public international leadership for a reduction in health of Africa. The standards of research HIV incidence targeting zero new infections, presented at this meeting will refl ect the and a reduction of HIV and AIDS related dawning of a new era, with proudly African mortality and morbidity. Not only do we look scientists presenting rich and novel data and towards the political leadership and private discoveries. sector, but also wish to build on the HIV and AIDS successes to develop a community of African scientists, capable of leading Prof. Robert Soudre Prof Ian Sanne President: Society For AIDS CEO: Right to Care in Africa (SAA) Associate Professor Internal Medicine Chair: 17th ICASA Conference University of the Witwatersrand 2013 Co-Chair: 17th ICASA Conference 2013 Durban A RETURN TO DURBAN - A REAFFIRMATION OF INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENT In 2000 Durban hosted the landmark XIIIth International AIDS Conference setting the scene for what was to be a turning point in the international drive to breakdown the barriers to AIDS treatment. Following Durban 2000 the world experienced an unprecedented commitment by donors, governments and civil society to increasing access to treatment. ICASA 2013 will take place at a time when this commitment is wavering due to the global economic situation. The Society for AIDS in Africa and Dira Sengwe, (the South African NGO who organised the 2000 conference) has joined forces to ensure that ICASA 2013 becomes another highlight in the African AIDS response. This is the time for the international community and especially for all Africans to show their solidarity for an AIDS free Africa. DURBAN: HOST CITY The city of Durban has received many Africa. In addition to commercial trade, ocean prestigious awards, including the Vuna Award cruise liners, pleasure craft and yachts are a for Best Municipality in South Africa in 2006 common sight in the port. MSC also uses the and 2007 and the United Nations Award for Port of Durban as a home port for its seasonal Best Managed City in Africa (1998). repositioning of the Sinfonia and has seen exciting growth in cruise tourism. INFRASTRUCTURAL CAPACITY Moses Mabhida Stadium The city offers a highly sophisticated transport A multi-billion Rand sports arena in the city and communications infrastructure, including complements Durban’s standing as a leading fibre-optics and broadband, making Durban a sports destination. The stadium had a seating veritable smart city. capacity of 70 000 spectators during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and some 54 000 in legacy mode thereafter. Its trademark arch gives Port of Durban an awe-inspiring view of the bustling city, Handling more than 5 000 commercial vessels creating yet another tourist attraction within a year, the Port of Durban is the busiest in Durban. INTERNATIONAL AND destinations globally. Air Mauritius provides twice a week fl ights between Durban DOMESTIC AIR ACCESS and Port Louis and onward connections. INTO SOUTH AFRICA Furthermore, there are frequent daily fl ights between Durban and other major cities in AND DURBAN South Africa. International access into Durban is mainly through fl ights into Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport) which is the King Shaka International main hub airport for South Africa. Besides the Airport international fl ights into Johannesburg, there Opening for service in May 2010, the are also hourly connecting fl ights available King Shaka International Airport provides from OR Tambo International Airport with a a new and visionary multi-billion Rand number of domestic airlines. The following international airport, and adjacent trade hourly connecting airlines provide a large port, known as Dube TradePort, provides number of fl ights within South Africa: world-class facilities for intercontinental passenger travel and freight transfer. The - British Airways Province of KwaZulu-Natal in partnership - Kulula with the Airports Company South Africa are - South African Airways engaged in various initiatives to increase the - Mango number of international routes and fl ights - 1time operated from this airport. - Velvet Sky All the above airlines provide direct fl ights ACCOMMODATION from OR Tambo International Airport, Durban is able to provide 3 to 5 star Johannesburg, into King Shaka International accommodation within close proximity Airport, Durban, with most fl ights taking less of the ICC Convention Centre. There are than an hour. The frequency of these fl ights numerous superior quality guest houses, means that there is usually very little ground motels, inns and bed and breakfast time between an incoming international or establishments as well as self-catering other fl ight to Johannesburg and an outgoing lodges, youth hostels and time share fl ight to Durban. apartments within a one hour drive or 50km from the city centre. The Durban KwaZulu- Emirates Airlines provides a scheduled Natal Convention Bureau will be responsible daily fl ight between Durban and Dubai, as for engaging key accommodation providers well as onward connections to about 120 to ensure that suffi cient accommodation is block-booked over the conference period. KWA ZULU NATAL Known as the Zulu Kingdom, KwaZulu-Natal one of the KwaZulu-Natal is considered premier sunshine destinations a place of discovery, providing of the world and a similar time visitors with lasting memories. zone to Europe means that the The region offers a mosaic risk of jet lag is signifi cantly of vivid scenery, a blend reduced. With a population of of cultures and diverse some 10,2 million people, the attractions. Situated on the province is representative of East Coast of South Africa, the cultural diversity of South the province has a pristine Africa. Indeed, this province 600km coastline, a towering is home to the proud Zulu mountain range - the Nation, and the descendents uKhahlamba or Drakensberg of colonial settlers from - and boundless untamed around the world, while the stretches of wilderness which Indian population is one of the is home to the Big 5. The warm world’s largest outside India. sub-tropical climate makes SCENIC BEAUTY KwaZulu-Natal is a province of breathtaking beauty. It is an exotic yet comfortably affordable destination, well-known for its natural heritage, mountains, oceans, indigenous forests and untamed wilds. ICC, DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA The jewel at the southern tip of Africa, South the landscape which include endless beaches, Africa is the continent’s economic powerhouse vast deserts and craggy mountain peaks. and business gateway to the hinterland. It is Although one eighth the size of the United widely regarded as one of the most beautiful States and nearly fi ve times the size of the holiday and investment destinations in the United Kingdom, South Africa commands more world, creating boundless opportunities than 1,2 million square kilometres of some of for both business and pleasure. A country the most geographically diverse and stunning of intriguing contrasts, South Africa boasts land in the world. With its predominantly highly developed infrastructure, coupled with sunny climate, South Africa offers a year-long a diversity of natural resources. Visitors are ‘tourist season’, allowing visitors and locals to generally awe-struck by the stark contrasts of enjoy an idyllic lifestyle. SEE YOU IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA FOR ICASA 2013 WWW. ICASA2013DURBAN.COM.