MANAGUA, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Central America is suffering the highest HIV and AIDS rates in Latin America, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said Monday in a statement.

    In Central America, there are 1.7 million people with HIV, of whom 208,600 have AIDS, UNAIDS said. The figure includes Belize and Panama, which are frequently excluded from the region's statistical base.

    "In 2010 the Central American epidemic could reach an infection rate of two percent in the adult population," the organization said.

    UNAIDS is taking part in the fifth Central American People With HIV/AIDS Encounter, which began in the Nicaraguan capital Managua on Sunday. The conference's motto is "Our response: seeking equality, diversity and fighting discrimination faced with HIV and AIDS."

    The meeting, aimed to help people with HIV or AIDS to exchange their experiences, will focus on women and children with HIV/AIDS in the region.

    Nicaragua is also hosting the fifth Central American Congress on HIV, which is a part of the meeting.

    The congress is a policy-oriented event designed to influence the region's politicians and achieve universal access to prevention, support and treatment of HIV/AIDS.