Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is playing host to more than 3,000 members of the international research community who are attending The International Aids Society Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2023).
To mark the occasion Brisbane’s city bridges as well as the convention centre building were lit red on Monday to reflect the red ribbon, the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV.
IAS International President Professor Sharon Lewis, director of Australia’s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, said Australia has maintained a progressive approach to HIV since the very beginning of the pandemic.
“Australia is poised to be one of the first, if not the first, country to achieve virtual elimination of HIV,” Professor Lewin said.
Professor Charles Gilks, BCEC Advocate and Conference Chair, led the bid to secure the event together with ASHM (Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine) along with the team at the BCEC with strong support from the Queensland Government.
BCEC general manager Kym Guesdon said the conference is one of 28 international conventions set to take place at the Centre during this financial year.
“BCEC actively collaborates with the scientific and medical community through its highly successful Convention Advocates Partnership,” she said.
“Our convention advocates, who include many eminent scientists and academics, provide us with a deep understanding of where Brisbane and Australia lead the world in critical ground-breaking scientific research.”
