Final Conference

CSIS HIV/AIDS Task Force Final Conference Summary

The final conference of the CSIS Task Force on HIV/AIDS was held on July 15, 2008, in the Russell Senate Office Building. The conference marked the conclusion of the Task Force’s seven year engagement on HIV/AIDS and broader global public health strategies. Guest speakers reflected on major U.S. accomplishments on HIV/AIDS and global health in the past decade and provided insights on the future of U.S. involvement in global health.

On Wednesday, July 16, 2008, the Senate reauthorized the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief at $48 billion dollars to be spent over a period of five years. The bill allots half of funding to be specifically targeted to treatment programs, and also includes amendments that will end the ban on entry into the U.S. of all HIV positive non-citizens, and language that allows for funding to go to programs that work specifically with injection drug users. The reauthorized bill also includes specific language placing emphasis on program focusing on gender and nutrition.