Ethiopia has finalized preparations to host the 16th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Africa (ICASA) in early December, officials dsid. In a joint press conference at Sheraton International Hotel in Addis Ababa on Thursday, Tewodrose Adhanom, Ethiopian Health Minister, said the country has finalized all the preparations to welcome about 7,000 to 10,000 expected participants in the conference. He said ICASA is organized with objective of sharing and exchange of scientific knowledge and experiences as well as best practices on HIV/AIDS, and STIs in Africa and the globe. The minister said the conference is held to renew commitment and be more aggressive in the fight against HIV/AIDS. According to the official, about 4,200 participants have confirmed participation in the 16th ICASA, and the country is well prepared and ready to welcome its guests. Speaking of the current status of HIV/AIDS, the minister said the prevalence of HIV has significantly declined in the last decade. He said the prevalence of HIV is 0.8 percent globally and 5 percent in Africa. There are about 33 million people living with the virus across the globe, the minister said, adding 68 percent of whom are in Africa.