The stands as the world’s largest and most influential gathering dedicated to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS) , this biennial event serves as the primary intersection for scientific breakthroughs, political advocacy, and community-led action.
One of the defining characteristics of the International AIDS Conference is its commitment to the "nothing about us without us" philosophy. Unlike many medical conferences that are strictly academic, the IAC places people living with HIV at the center of the dialogue. This structure acknowledges that biomedical breakthroughs are useless if they do not reach the people who need them due to stigma, criminalization, or poverty. international aids conference
The conference has several key objectives, including: The stands as the world’s largest and most
Does initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) in an HIV-positive person before their immune system shows significant decline (CD4 count 350-550) reduce the transmission of HIV to their uninfected sexual partner, compared to delaying ART until their CD4 count drops below 250? Unlike many medical conferences that are strictly academic,
Despite the optimism that pervades the conference halls, the IAC also serves as a somber reminder of the work ahead. The "90-90-90" targets set by UNAIDS—the goal to diagnose 90% of all HIV-positive persons, provide treatment for 90% of those diagnosed, and achieve viral suppression for 90% of those treated by 2020—were missed in many regions. Furthermore, funding gaps and "donor fatigue" threaten the progress made over the last two decades.