DUSAHNBE, May 15, Asia-Plus -- A three-day international on HIV-AIDS prevention in eastern Europe and Central Asia opened in Moscow on May 15.  

According to information from the Ministry of Health, a Tajik delegation led by Deputy Health Minister, Ziyovuddin Afghonov, is attending the conference in Moscow, which is aiming to consider issues related to partnership, prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. 

The source says the conference being held under auspices of the United Nations has gathered some 2,000 officials, representatives from international organizations and NGOs dealing with the HIV/AIDS prevention issues.  

According to global assessment by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), rates of new HIV infection in Central Asia are among the highest in the world.  Research notes that some 1.6 million have lived with HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia by end of 2005.  Experts estimate that that more than a half of HIV sufferers are young people.