The symposium is aimed at focusing awareness on various developments related to HIV among MSM in an African context, highlighting recent significant developments in terms of research focusing on MSM, including both bio-medical and psychosocial components of prevention, and highlight the growing experience in providing MSM focused HIV treatment and care in South Africa. The conference audience includes researchers, service providers, health service managers and advocates.

The conference includes:
1. Opening session, May 23: Invited speakers from senior government and PEPFAR.

2. Plenary sessions on prevention among MSM, and on diverse aspects of treatment and care. Invited plenary speakers include Dr Stefan Baral, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA; Dr. Anita Radix, Director of Research and Education at the Callen-Lorde Community Health Centre in New York, a centre that primarily serves the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities and people living with HIV/AIDS; Prof Linda Gail Bekker of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation; Dr David Lewis of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases; Steve Letsike, OSISA and Dr Rob Stephenson, Emory University.

3. Approximately ten additional presentations addressing clinical and mental health issues related to MSM and HIV, HIV among African MSM who are commercial sex workers, hepatitis and opportunistic infections among MSM, and HIV among transgender MSM.

4. Poster presentations by researchers from various interest groups.

5. A series of short skills building workshops.

The aim of the this conference is to help promote the expansion of MSM focused prevention and treatment in Southern Africa, and believe that it is especially timely with the renewed commitment from the South African National AIDS Council and international funders.