The 1st Eastern European and Central Asian AIDS conference – taking place in Moscow on 15-17 May 2006 – marks the first time all stakeholders involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the region will meet and share experiences and lessons learned.

Anna Shakarishvili, MD, UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Ukraine. Dear Colleagues and Friends, with this letter, I would like to remind you of the International AIDS Conference that this year will be held in Toronto, Canada from 13 to 18 August. The conference is for everyone involved in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic -- researchers, healthcare workers, civil society, governments, UN organizations, activists, donors, industry, the media, and people living with HIV/AIDS. As the world's largest, most comprehensive HIV/AIDS conference, AIDS 2006 is an unparalleled opportunity to expand public awareness of HIV/AIDS, share knowledge and learn from others in the field, and chart a course for a stronger, more effective global response to the pandemic.