International AIDS Conference Begins Sunday

About 25,000 researchers, policymakers, and activists are expected to attend the six-day biennial International AIDS Conference, which begins on Sunday in Vienna.

Under the motto "Rights Here, Right Now," the conference will focus in part on G8 countries' commitments to sustain the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. IAC is also expected to draw attention to human rights abuses in countries with laws that target and stigmatize persons living with HIV.

In 2005 the G8 committed to universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care -- a pledge that remains unfulfilled. According to the International AIDS Society, the potential for universal access is "now threatened by inadequate financial and political support."

Advocate.com will post reports from the conference next week.