Coverage of four key populations at the 2010 International AIDS Conference : implications for leadership and accountability in the global AIDS response

G. Ayala, J. Beck, P. Hebert, L. Padua, M. Sundaraj

The International AIDS Conference (IAC), organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS), is the world's premier gathering for HIV professionals and people living with HIV. In the past, numerous advocates and networks, including the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD), the Global Network of Sex Work Projects (NSWP) and key transgender activists have shared increasing concern over the poor program coverage of their respective constituencies at each IAC. This long-standing frustration stems from the discrepancy between IAC programming and on-the-ground realities. This disconnect is particularly concerning when available and accurate epidemiological data reveals the disproportionate burden that HIV is having on these vulnerable groups. In an effort to quantify program coverage of men who have sex with men (MSM), people who use drugs, sexworkers and transgender people at the IAC in 2010, the MSMGF undertook an analysis independent from and unsolicited by the IAS. The analysis features a review of every abstract and sessiona programmed, drawing a distinction between non-exclusive and exclusive coverage of the key populations. By non-exclusive we mean an abstract or a session that focused on two or more key populations. By exclusive, we mean an abstract or a session that focused solely on one key population. Non-exclusive coverage therefore also includes exclusive abstracts and sessions. Our analysis revealed a gross underrepresentation of the key populations across the 2010 conference program. A complete analysis of both non-exclusive and exclusive program coverage is contained in this report. A set of key recommendations are provided to underscore the need for robust leadership, transparency and accountability processes at the level of the Conference Coordinating Committee, (CCC) the highest governing body of the IAC.