Avet Khachatrian

As the 2006 International AIDS Conference convened in Toronto, about 20,000 government representatives, scientists, organizational leaders and AIDS activists from around the world took part. They were joined by prominent public figures including former American President Bill Clinton and Microsoft founder Bill Gates. A large delegation of Russians also attended and the world was interested in hearing what they had to say.

Russia is rather new to the international AIDS scene, yet emerged quickly as a key player. In 2006, Russia was home to the first Regional Conference on HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the International Parliamentary Conference on the HIV/AIDS in Eurasia and the Role of the G8. Recent high-level meetings on HIV/AIDS at the United Nations in New York were attended by M.Y. Zurabov, Minister of Health and Social Development, and G.G. Onischenko, Chief Medical Officer, as well as leaders of public organizations and the community of people living with HIV/AIDS in Russia. Deputies from the State Duma’s Interfactional Working Group on AIDS and representatives from leading Russian mass media are also attending the International AIDS Conference in Toronto.

Russia has long served as a political, economic, and cultural hub in Eurasia; however, today Russia is also becoming a focal point for the continent’s growing HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2005, HIV/AIDS became a part of Russia’s National Priority Project on Public Health, attracting high-level attention. In April 2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin convened a special meeting of the State Council where he called on the political sector, business community and civil society to take an active role the fight against HIV/AIDS. A Governmental Commission for AIDS was also established.

Russia’s position as president of the G8 has also propelled the country into the spotlight on HIV/AIDS. At the G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, an agenda item was dedicated to HIV/AIDS and G8 countries confirmed their intention to accelerate medical research and improve access to antiretroviral therapy. In particular, USD 40 million was allocated for the creation of an international scientific and research center to develop vaccines and microbicides. President Putin also announced a new joint project between the G8 and the countries of Central Asia to strength cooperation in the regional fight against HIV/AIDS.

Russia has also begun to play an important role in financing of global HIV/AIDS programs. In 2005, Russia contributed USD 40 million in the Global Fund Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. In 2006, President Putin announced that Russia would provide the Global Fund with an additional USD 270 million for the next 4 years. To help combat AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, Russia is participating in debt abatement that enables governments to direct their limited resources to the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Most relevant to the Russia’s increasing presence in the global fight against AIDS is the growing number HIV infections at home. According to various sources, the number of HIV-positive people living in Russia today ranges from 350,000 to over 1 million people. Fortunately, non-governmental organizations in Russia have launched a number of innovative prevention programs to help fight this epidemic. Notable among these programs, the StopSPID (StopAIDS) campaign of the Russian Media Partnership to Combat AIDS has been hailed as a global model of excellence. Even so, significant work remains if Russia is going to curb the present rates of new HIV infection.

Russia must do more than simply participate in the global fight against AIDS; it must be a leader and a positive role model for other nations. To do so, Russia must address the problems within its borders. Urgent issues in Russia include significant gaps in access to medical treatment, a lack of uniform strategies for fighting HIV infection within vulnerable groups, and a need for greater leadership among key mass media, specifically the First Channel and Russian National Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, to provide programming that stresses HIV prevention.

By acknowledging shortcomings in domestic policy and aggressively entering the global fight against AIDS, Russia has taken a step in the right direction. As members of the Russian delegation spoke at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, they had a lot to contribute – not only in speaking about Russia’s experience but also in providing leadership.


Avet Khachatryan is Director of Programs in Russia for the international organization, Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA). Previously, he worked with the United National Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the international organization, Doctors Without Borders.