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S. Africa ready for 21rst International Aids Conference: government

Xinhua, July 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Africa is ready to host the 21st International Aids Conference (AIDS 2016) in Durban, the government said on Friday.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on AIDS 2016 is satisfied that South Africa and the global community can expect a productive and safe conference in Durban from July 18 to July 22, Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said after a meeting of the IMC in Durban to review preparations for the gathering.

Radebe said the line-up for the opening ceremony reinforced the underlying character of the conference as embracing and involving all sectors of society in South Africa and around the world that are waging the fight against HIV, AIDS and TB.

The conference will bring together political leadership, civil society leadership, the scientific community, the development and donor sector and ordinary people who are committed to achieving an HIV-free generation, said Radebe.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will make the official opening address to set the tone for a conference that "will reignite advocacy in our own country and around the world and will help us make new strides to secure in line with the conference theme-access, equity and rights for all people in our pursuit of prevention, treatment and the elimination of discrimination," Radebe said.

He said the IMC gave the assurance that this event, where close to 18,000 delegates are expected in the glare of global media coverage, will be safe and efficient.

Security agencies have developed detailed plans for high-visibility deployment of police and other personnel who will ensure the safety of delegates and minimal disruption of traffic and other services and amenities around the host city, according to Radebe.

Plans are also in place to facilitate secure passage of conference delegates through South Africa's major airports and land borders, he said.

"South Africa is indeed well prepared to host this critical global conference which must leave a meaningful legacy to our own country and to the world," said Radebe. Endit