The 25th International Aids Conference
After the emergence of HIV, concerned scientists created the IAS to unite experts from around the world and disciplines to promote a concerted response. It convenes, educates and advocates for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being.
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is driving innovation and leadership at all levels to consign HIV to history. Its seventh replenishment is underway.
The city of Munich
Munich is the ideal venue for the world’s largest HIV conference. It combines state-of-the-art congress facilities with an extensive network of local partners and the support of the IAS to make the meeting accessible to people from low- and middle-income countries.
Munich embodies the happy combination of an urban and traditionally rural atmosphere that is characteristic for Bavaria. It is a city that celebrates its past and looks energetically towards the future.
It has two elite universities, the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität and the Technische Universit
The theme of the conference
The conference theme of ‘global crisis, global action’ serves as a reminder of the urgency to tackle the AIDS epidemic and other pressing public health threats. It also highlights lessons learned from the HIV response and from the responses to COVID-19, mpox and other global challenges to align strategic actions for the future.
Plenary sessions bring together top scientists and policy specialists to highlight key issues in the field of HIV. Speakers address delegates’ questions and comments, with the aim of accelerating the translation of research into effective interventions.
The IAS convenes a Conference Committee that is made up of community representatives, researchers and policy makers to drive the strategic planning of the conference. Their broad representation ensures that conference programmes are participatory, put people first and follow the science. The IAS also encourages participation from low- and middle-income countries by offering bursaries to fund or financially support attendance, a tiered fee structure and online access two months after the event.
The scientific programme
The scientific programme is a key element of the conference, with >100 sessions in different formats including Keynote Lectures, Scientific Symposia, Educational Sessions and Meet-the-Expert Sessions. Proposals are submitted by ESCMID study groups and ESCMID affiliated/partner societies, with the process opening in April. The Scientific Programme Committee also hosts a ‘Late-Breaking’ Abstract cycle closer to the congress, where session proposals with novel and exciting data can be considered.
In addition to the scientific programme, AIDS 2024 will feature plenary sessions with key leaders from the global HIV response including scientists, policy specialists and community representatives. These sessions will highlight the latest breakthroughs and challenges in our fight against HIV.
Another key feature of the conference is its commitment to diversity and inclusion. This has been strengthened by recommendations from a wide-ranging consultation process, including group discussions, interviews and internet fora. These include recommendations to increase diversity, strengthen the focus on youth and expand opportunities for virtual participation.
The social programme
The IAS takes a strong stand on important policy debates – for example on the need for greater political accountability and increased investment to scale up prevention, treatment and care programmes. We also advocate for better access to methadone and buprenorphine in countries where injection drug use fuels the HIV epidemic; for a more equitable distribution of HIV-related funding; and against criminalizing consensual same-sex activity and for LGBTI rights.
The social programme will feature around 1,200 e-poster sessions (a three-minute recorded presentation) which can be viewed in person or online and will include panel discussions led by topic expert moderators. It will also focus on a range of other topics, including the impact of HIV and AIDS as a human rights issue; community-led research; new developments in vaccine and cure research; monitoring, innovations in service delivery, the social determinants of health and more. This is a key platform for people living with and affected by HIV to share their experiences, challenges and solutions.
