The conference is initiated and conducted by an inter-Christian organisational committee and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The committee includes the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists – “Na Rusi” organisation, Evangelical Lutheran Church, Russian Joined Union of Evangelical Faith Christians, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingrea, Union of Evangelical Pentecostal Christian Faith, Caritas of European part of Russia, Seventh Day Adventists Church. Russian Orthodox Church, Consulate of Muftis in Russia, Central Muslim Spiritual Department, Congress of Jewish communities and unions in Russia, Federation of Jewish communities of Russia and others religious confessions. Over 150 representatives of legislative and executive bodies, and religious and public organisations are taking part in the conference, which is a unique example of cooperation between state, public and religious organisations in Russia in relation to HIV/AIDS problem. Today, Russia and CIS states face an HIV/AIDS epidemic: in 2000, 87,000 of HIV/AIDS infected patients were registered in Russia, while by 19 November 2004, over 300,000 cases have already been registered. The disease affects primarily young people and those in the prime of the working age. Eighty percent of the infected are aged from 15 to 30. There is a risk that by 2010, over half a million of Russians could die of HIV/AIDS. According to experts, in the coming decade the disease may lead to a rapid reduction of Russia’s population and grave economic consequences. Sate structures and public organisations have been fighting the epidemic by carrying out a number of programmes aimed at medical and social assistance to people living with HIV/AIDS. Russia’s religious communities are alarmed by the rapid development of HIV/AIDS epidemic and its social and spiritual consequences. The goal of the conference is to define the role of various religious organizations in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to support the expansion of their social activities; to plan ways of interaction and mutual support in the fight against HIV/AIDS between governmental structures, and religious and public organisations; and to enhance cooperation between Russian partners and international organisations involved in HIV/AIDS prevention programmes all over the world by means of consolidating their resources and programmes.