The 29th Annual Canadian Conference on HIV/AIDS Research is the premier gathering in Canada for those working in all disciplines of HIV/AIDS research, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. The conference, also known as CAHR 2020, will be held April 30-May 3, 2020.
Conference Theme – Hope, Victories and Perseverance beyond 2020
We are honoured that CAHR has chosen Quebec City for their annual conference in 2020. It is with pride that we welcome you to our beautiful city, to carry on the tradition of excellence by enabling all communities working for HIV/AIDS research to come together and share knowledge at this 29th conference. The year 2020 is even more special, as it marks the outcome of UNAIDS’ campaign in the fight to end the global AIDS epidemic.
This year’s theme refers to the UN targets combined with the epidemic’s history, as expressed by our community representative, Mr. Serge-Antoine Belley.
“In addition to ART, the glorious trilogy: Hope – Victories – Perseverance. Hope is at the origin of all victories that cannot be accomplished alone. Advances in all disciplines of HIV/AIDS research are gradual and reinforce the idea that perseverance is the secret of all triumphs.”
Only together can we end this epidemic. UNAIDS announced global targets that were described as ambitious but achievable: by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV worldwide would be screened, 90% of them would be on treatment and among these, 90% would have an undetectable viral load. As we enter 2020, it’s time to take stock. What have we accomplished in Canada and around the world? What have we learned that allows us to effectively continue the fight against HIV in Canada and around the world? How should we plan ahead for the years to come?
Ending the epidemic begins with hope, which has unified the community of people living with HIV and the scientific community for decades. It is this hope that has spawned and supported efforts in the fight against HIV. It is with this hope that we can prevent transmission of the virus, control the disease, break down inequalities, maintain dignity, provide and receive care fairly in respect of everyone’s rights. So much hope.
The victories are numerous and phenomenal. Over the course of this four-day conference, we will have the opportunity to hear, discuss and highlight these victories. Expert speakers and researchers will discuss their findings, their vision of the future, and interactions with communities closely and remotely connected to the cause that unites us.
Perseverance will lead us to the future we envision together, a world free from HIV. Last but not least, we hope that you will be inspired, full of ideas and stimulated by the experiences of this 29th conference.
-Dr. Marie-Louise Vachon (Clinical professor, Division of Infectious Diseases at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de l’Université Laval (CHUL) du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec (CHU de Québec)) and Dr. Gary Kobinger
