A Military HIV/AIDS Prevention Conference opened March 2, 2009 at the Gaborone Sun Hotel with approximately 150 participants in attendance, to include representatives from 26 African countries and 18 local and international non-governmental organizations. The conference, sponsored by the Botswana Defence Force in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Botswana and the U.S. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program, will run until March 5.

Conference objectives are to identify and share best practices in military communities for HIV prevention including structural, behavioral, and bio-medical approaches to prevention; understand the barriers and identify solutions to implementation of international HIV prevention problems; and to adapt and plan to use relevant information for operational military use.

The morning's welcoming remarks were opened by Botswana Defence Force deputy commander and Air Arm commander Major General Gobuamang Jefferson Tlhokwane who underscored the danger of HIV/AIDS in society and the negative perception of elevated HIV/AIDs rates in Africa. "HIV/AIDS is more deadly than the weapons which are at our [military] disposal," he stated, "and prevention efforts and the manner in which they can be successfully accessed by our forces should be the focus of our intervention."

"We and our friends, including researchers and scientists, should be able to correct these HIV/AIDS figures in Africa. In Botswana, we hold the view that anything above zero is a cause for concern. We have passed the denial stage and hope other African nations do the same."

Also providing welcoming remarks were His Excellency Mr. Stephen Nolan, U.S. ambassador to Botswana, who praised Botswanan leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and U.S. Africa Command Director of Programs Dr. Ray Kirkland, who discussed the command's Partner Military HIV/AIDS Program and its role in contributing to African security through enhanced military readiness.

"HIV/AIDS is not simply a health problem, with social and economic implications, it is also a national security concern," he stated. "Africa Command will continue to work closely with its African partners to develop and implement strong policies for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment and will increase its efforts to share best practices and approaches to enhance the effectiveness of these programs on the continent."

The program for the opening day included a discussion of the role of leadership in HIV prevention; regional response to HIV; and panels on organizational structures for Military HIV programs and HIV policy. The afternoon concluded with concurrent break-out discussion groups addressing creative ways to engage leadership support, HIV policy development and practice, and gender considerations in military settings.