Ghana and South Africa go through final selection stages to host ICASA 2025

The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) has announced that the Republic of Ghana and Republic of South Africa have been preselected by SAA-paid members to proceed to the second stage of the selection process to host the twenty-third edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2025).

At the end of voting on Wednesday, May 15th, 512 paid members were able to cast their votes. SAA stated in a document obtained by Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult), [email protected], which is a development communication advocacy non-governmental organisation based in Tema, Ghana.

According to the SAA main organiser, ICASA, the selected host country will be announced after the assessment visits to Ghana and South Africa by the SAA Executive Board.

The Society for AIDS in Africa is grateful to all African governments, all stakeholders, and especially SAA paid members for their dedication in facilitating the first step of the preselection of the ICASA 2025 host country.

SAA also extends its appreciation to the three bidding countries—Ghana, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo—for their interest in hosting, out of which two countries have been preselected for the final stage of the process. “All submitted bids were very competitive,” SAA stated.

Voting for the election of a country to host the 2025 International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) was held between May 13 and May 15th, 2024, at 23:59 GMT.

After SAA Council members’ assessment visit and deliberation, the host country of ICASA 2025 will be notified on May 31st, 2024, followed by a press communiqué or release.

Before the final selection of the host country of ICASA 2025 and a notification letter will be sent to the host country, an MOU will be signed between the selected country and the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), the organiser of ICASA.

The SAA President is the ICASA 2025 Chair; the host country will appoint a Co-chair for ICASA 2025 in consultation with SAA. The Council reserves the right to revoke the hosting rights of a country if there are reasonable doubts about its ability to deliver.

Meanwhile, SAA President Dr. David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa explained that the main objectives of SAA’s existence are to contribute to the control and management of HIV infection, AIDS, TB, and Malaria throughout Africa.

It also seeks to serve as a forum for the exchange of information on HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS, the International AIDS Society, and other international and national organizations on AIDS.

Dr. Pagwesese said SAA also serves as an African focus and coordinator of AIDS activities in Africa, promotes research and training on HIV and AIDS prevention and care in Africa, and works with African States to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria on the African continent.

The SAA President stressed that it also works relentlessly to organize International Conferences on HIV/AIDS, STIs, TB, and Malaria in Africa and collaborate with other organizations in organizing specific workshops on HIV and emerging infections.

He said to ensure effective operation, SAA solicits, receives, manages, and accounts for funds to support its activities against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria in Africa.

Dr. Pagwesese noted that SAA also serves as a central registry of individuals and organizations, professionally involved in AIDS research and activities to prevent the spread of AIDS and care for people living with HIV, TB, and Malaria in Africa.

He said it represents the African scientific community as a voice of reason in AIDS controversies, speaks and acts against discrimination/stigmatization, and ensures the observance of ethical norms in all aspects of research and trials relating to HIV and AIDS in Africa.

It also promotes the total wellbeing of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, as well as creating awareness about other emerging diseases threatening public health in Africa.