All roads will on Friday lead to Chinotimba Stadium in Victoria Falls for the commemorations of the World Aids Day.
This year's commemorations are running under the theme Let communities lead.
The resort town played host to the 2014 Continental World Aids Day commemorations, as Africa joined the rest of the world in commemorating the day.
The commemoration, which was held under the theme ”Getting to Zero in Africa: Africa’s Responsibility, Everyone’s Responsibility” brought together people living with HIV, activists, partners, donors and representatives from selected African member states among others.
This year's commemorations are unique in that Zimbabwe will host the International Conference of Aids and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (ICASA).
World Aids Day serves as a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma, an opportunity to honour those lost, and a rallying cry to commit to working toward a day when HIV is no longer a public health threat.
National Aids Council (NAC) CEO Bernard Madzima confirmed the development.
“We have the World Aids Day coming up on December 1 where Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in raising awareness about HIV and Aids and honouring the lives affected by the epidemic,” Madzima said.
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“The commemorations will be held in Victoria Falls, Chinotimba Stadium.
“The candlelight memorial will precede the World Aids Day commemorations as usual. It will be held in the evening on November 30.”
Madzima said the resort town will be a hive of activity ahead of ICASA.
“There will be two high level meetings, which will be held on December 2 in Victoria Falls as part of the build-up towards the ICASA,” he said.
“A meeting of the African first ladies will be hosted by our first lady, Her Excellency Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa.
“It will focus on addressing prevention of mother to child transmission and elimination of new born infections in Africa.
“On the same day, we will host the African ministers of Finance. Their meeting will focus on addressing domestic financing of the HIV response to reach the UN 2025 Goals and the African Union Agenda 2063.”
Madzima said Zimbabwe will showcase its home-grown domestic funding initiative in the form of the National Aids Trust Fund, popularly known as the Aids Levy.
“This initiative has seen a number of countries coming to Zimbabwe to learn about the Aids levy so that they can also employ it in their countries,” he said.
“As a country, we also hope to learn from the rest of the continent on other initiatives that can increase Africa’s domestic financing of HIV and other epidemics, without totally relying on external funds.”
According to UNAids the theme Let communities lead depicts how communities can lead the way in ending Aids.
“Organisations of communities living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV are the frontline of progress in the HIV response,” UNAids said in a statement.
“Communities connect people with person-centred public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor implementation of policies and services, and hold providers accountable.
“But communities are being held back in their leadership.
“Funding shortages, policy and regulatory hurdles, capacity constraints, and crackdowns on civil society and on the human rights of marginalised communities, are obstructing the progress of HIV prevention and treatment services.
“If these obstacles are removed, community-led organisations can add even greater impetus to the global HIV response, advancing progress towards the end of Aids.”
UNAids said this year’s World Aids Day commemorations are more than a celebration of the achievements of communities; it is a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles.
Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora will be the guest of honour at the candlelight memorial, which will be held at the Chinotimba Hall.
