The president of the International AIDS Society says her organization will reevaluate the way it organizes international conferences in the wake of visa denials by the Canadian government.
Adeeba Kamarulzaman told attendees at the opening ceremony of the AIDS 2022 conference on Friday morning in Montreal that “many” delegates, including members of her organization’s staff and leadership, had been unable to obtain visas to attend.
A group of protesters took to the stage during the opening ceremony, denouncing visa denials and the disparity in the global response to HIV.
International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan was scheduled to speak at the opening of the conference but canceled his appearance.
His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The conference, which attracts researchers, practitioners, activists and people living with HIV, focuses on both scientific advances in the fight against AIDS and the need to increase funding for the HIV response.
More than 9,000 delegates are expected to attend in person, with another 2,000 registered to participate remotely.
— This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 29, 2022.
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