Call for greater involvement of developing world scientists in fight against AIDS

Call for greater involvement of developing world scientists in fight against AIDS -
Issued by:Third World Academy of Sciences and The African Academy of Sciences

During the past two decades, HIV/AIDS has had a devastating impact on the health and social and economic well-being of populations in many parts of the developing world. In 2003 alone, the disease caused the death of more than three million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Despite the best efforts of some of the world's most prominent scientists, a vaccine that would protect against the disease is still a long way from reality. Drugs that help fight the virus and alleviate the disease symptoms are available, but are expensive and unavailable to many sufferers living in the world's developing countries. In addition, many countries are still failing to tackle the social issues that lead to the further spread of the disease.

Against this background, and on the eve of AIDS 2004, the XV International AIDS Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, the Third World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) have issued a joint statement on HIV/AIDS in the developing world, calling for greater involvement of developing world scientists in research initiatives designed to treat and mitigate the disease. Visit the TWAS website at: http://www.ictp.trieste.it/~twas/publ/AIDS.html