Moscow Hosts International EECA Conference on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Public Health Cooperation

Moscow hosted an international expert conference on November 19–20, 2024, bringing together public health specialists from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECA) to review the results of Phase IV of the Russian Technical Assistance Programme focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, control and surveillance, as well as other infectious diseases.

Launched in 2013 and funded by the Russian federal budget, the Programme supports partner countries through humanitarian assistance, technical cooperation and the development of scientific and expert collaboration in the field of public health. Over more than a decade, it has become an important platform for strengthening regional capacity to respond to HIV, viral hepatitis and related public health challenges.

The conference gathered representatives of key Russian institutions, including Rospotrebnadzor, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as leading research centers such as the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology and the State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector.” National delegations from Armenia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were represented by senior experts responsible for HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis programmes in their respective countries.

The scientific agenda focused on the evolving HIV epidemiological landscape in the EECA region. Participants discussed advances in viral hepatitis vaccination, the growing role of molecular epidemiology in HIV surveillance, and strategies to prevent treatment interruptions and loss to follow-up among people living with HIV. Special attention was given to research on the impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) on cancer risks among women living with HIV, as well as to the evaluation of immunological and epidemiological effectiveness of hepatitis vaccination programmes.

A separate practical session addressed the operation and further development of a network of 22 mobile medical clinics currently deployed across the EECA region under the Programme. Mounted on Russian-produced KAMAZ and Sadko Next vehicle platforms, these mobile units provide HIV and viral hepatitis prevention, testing and diagnostic services, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Participants discussed ways to improve service delivery, strengthen integration with national health systems and expand outreach to vulnerable populations.

The conference reaffirmed the importance of sustained international cooperation, knowledge sharing and practical public health solutions in addressing HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases in the EECA region.