(Montreal) The president of the International AIDS Society says her organization will reassess the way it organizes international conferences following visa denials by the Canadian government.
Posted at 12:17 p.m.
Adeeba Kamarulzaman told attendees at the opening ceremony of the AIDS 2022 conference on Friday morning in Montreal that “many” delegates, including staff and leaders of her organization, were unable to obtain visas to attend it.
A group of protesters took to the stage during the opening ceremony, condemning visa denials and inequalities in the global response to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan was due to speak at the opening of the conference, but canceled his attendance. His firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The conference, which attracts researchers, doctors, activists and people living with HIV, focuses on both scientific progress in the fight against AIDS and the need for increased funding for the fight against HIV. HIV.
Over 9,000 delegates are expected in person and another 2,000 are registered to attend virtually.