The second Eastern European and Central Asian AIDS Conference is scheduled for May 3 to May 5 in Moscow, UzReport.com reports. The conference -- which is being organized by the Russian government, UNAIDS and the International AIDS Society -- aims to address the HIV/AIDS situation in the region by sharing best practices and evidence, as well as mobilizing action.

The conference will focus on accelerating universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care by 2010. It also will provide an opportunity to increase dialogue and interaction among political and community leaders, researchers, people living with HIV/AIDS and representatives from civil society. Delegates are expected to discuss ways to balance treatment programs with prevention efforts targeted at high-risk groups, such as injection drug users, commercial sex workers and men who have sex with men. More than 2,000 delegates from 50 countries are expected to attend the conference.

According to UzReport.com, HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia is threatening to affect work forces and national security in the region and is burdening the health sector. The first EECAAC was held in May 2006 in Moscow, UzReport.com reports (UzReport.com, 4/25).