NEW: Zim to host continental World AIDS Day commemorations

Online Reporter

ZIMBABWE will host the 2023 African Union (AU) World AIDS Day commemorations in Victoria Falls on December 1, marking the second time in less than a decade the country is organising the prestigious continental event.

The event will run under the theme “Let Communities Lead – A (Act), B (Build), C (Create), D (Decide)”.

The commemorations will precede the country’s hosting of the 22nd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) in the resort city.

Addressing senior editors drawn from the country’s main media organisations during a sensitisation workshop last week, National AIDS Council (NAC) communications officer Mrs Tadiwa Nyatanga said: “This year’s commemorations will be held under the auspices of the African Union.

“This will be the second time we are having the celebrations under the AU, after we hosted the 2014 commemorations.”

The guest of honour for the event will be announced in due course.

Meanwhile, ICASA will run from December 4 to 9, 2023.

Mrs Nyatanga said a number of events have been lined up prior to the event.

“Ahead of ICASA, we will have two key events. One is an event being held by the Organisation of African First Ladies, which will focus on prevention of mother-to-child transmission,” she said.

“The other one will be a meeting of African ministers of Finance to discuss domestic funding for the response to HIV.”