Quarraisha Abdool Karim speaks at the launch of the End AIDS Coalition at the IAS in Paris

31 July 2017

Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim joined leading AIDS experts, scientists, clinicians, policy-makers, faith leaders, business leaders and activists at the official launch of the End AIDS Coalition (EAC). This initiative, which was  launched on 25th July at the 9th International AIDS Conference on HIV Science in Paris marks an unprecedented strong multi-sectoral, inclusive collaboration, aimed at ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

     The EAC, founded by Kenneth Cole a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, aims to amplify efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by strengthening linkages across research, resources and implementation, by encouraging the aggregation and analysis of data from the global AIDS response. The EAC also aims to identify barriers and encourage efficiencies by inspiring a movement to mobilize and engage the next generation of young leaders in the response to HIV.

"Globally, preventing HIV remains a major challenge particularly among young women and girls,” said Abdool Karim Associate Scientific Director of CAPRISA. “Now is not the time to slow down responses or investments to the epidemic. If we don't act now we could reverse the gains made to date. By collectively focusing on a common goal through the EAC, we will be able to link research to funding and implementation, which, in turn, will accelerate the widespread use of innovation and expedite the end of the epidemic," said Abdool Karim.

     Cole said the world was at a tipping point in the response to the HIV epidemic. He stressed the need for all actors to join together to gain control of the epidemic before the window of opportunity closed.


Photo:

At the launch of the End AIDS Coalition in Paris (L-R): Kenneth Cole UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, Michel Sidibé Executive Director UNAIDS, Quarraisha Abdool Karim associate scientific Director CAPRISA and Marijke Wijnroks: Interim Executive Director for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria