Tuesday, May 21st
The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn is bringing together experts representing Estonia, Russia, Latvia, Finland, the United States, and the World Health Organization (WHO) from May 23 to 24 in Narva to discuss best practices in ending the transmission of HIV/AIDS as well as its intersection with opioid abuse in the Baltic Sea region.
Dr. Cara Alexander from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will deliver the keynote address, focusing on the new U.S. initiative to end domestic transmission of HIV by 2030, and U.S. leadership in fighting the virus around the world.
Over 30 participants will take part in the two-day workshop, including NGO workers, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement officers. The workshop seeks to create a dialogue on intervention and prevention, to showcase Estonia’s success in controlling HIV/AIDS transmission, and to support regional collaboration on effective approaches at the medical, policy, and civil society levels.
The conversation will also explore trends seen across each country, methods of addressing the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS and intravenous drug use, and avenues to reach otherwise marginalized communities.