LUSAKA, Nov 16, 2007 (AFP) - Veteran statesmen in Africa's sub-Sahara region are expected to gather in Zambia next week to discuss how to combat the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic ravaging the continent, an official said Friday.
The meeting will bring together more than 10 former leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including former South African President Nelson Mandela and his Mozambican counter-part Joaquim Chissano.
The former secretary general of the African Union, Salim Ahmed Salim, will also attend the meeting, at Zambia's tourist resort town of Livingstone, between November 21 and 23.
"The purpose is to work with former African leaders in building a stronger regional voice and action-oriented programme aimed at defeating HIV and AIDS", said Munyaradzi Hwengwere, coordinator of the meeting.
The meeting is sponsored by the aid agency Oxfam and organised by AIDSCOM, an organisation founded by Zambia's first president Kenneth Kaunda who active in the fight against AIDS.
UNAIDS put HIV/AIDS sufferers in the region, which makes just over 10% of the world's population, at 25.8 million.
071116
AF071144
Copyright ©AFP 2007. All Rights Reserved. AFP articles contained on the AEGiS web site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without AFP's prior written permission. You may make one copy of each article for your personal, non-commercial use only; more copies would require AFP's prior written permission obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP photos or materials. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP stories, photos or graphics. http://www.afp.com/
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, John M. Lloyd Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.