Munich, Germany will be the host city for the 25th International AIDS Conference, AIDS 2024 from July 22-26. Thousands will be in attendance from all over the world – scientists, healthcare providers, policymakers and community leaders – to share knowledge, experience and lessons learned from the last 40 years of the HIV response. The conference will tackle current and future public health challenges and unite for an HIV response.
Unite for an HIV response
The theme of AIDS 2024 is about a unified and equitable response to HIV, and to other public health threats like COVID-19 and mpox. By aligning global efforts around evidence-based approaches the conference will build more resilient and inclusive health systems that put the needs and rights of people living with HIV first.
Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director said, “The global HIV/AIDS epidemic is a crisis like no other and requires a response like no other. Especially solidarity between the healthy and the sick, between rich and poor and above all between richer and poorer countries” (Simply Munich) (Make Way)
Themes and Objectives
AIDS 2024 will focus on treatment and prevention, social determinants of health and stigma and discrimination. One of the main objectives is to keep HIV on the global health agenda. By bringing together a wide range of stakeholders – scientists, healthcare providers, policymakers and community leaders – the conference will drive solutions and commitments to end the HIV epidemic.
Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General said, “The global HIV/AIDS epidemic is a crisis like no other. How many more must die to wake up?” His words still echo as the conference tries to wake up the world to the HIV/AIDS crisis (IASociety)
Global Participation and Virtual Access
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic AIDS 2024 will be a hybrid conference, with in-person and virtual participation. This will allow for maximum accessibility and inclusivity so that people from all regions can participate in the programme and activities. This is especially important for low- and middle-income countries where the burden of HIV is highest (Messe München GmbH) (Simply Munich)
A Legacy of Progress and Hope
The International AIDS Conference has been driving progress in HIV/AIDS for decades. It’s where science meets policy and community. AIDS 2024 will be more of the same – and more.
Former U.S. President George W. Bush said, “We may not solve the whole thing today, but let’s not not start.” That’s what we still need to do with HIV (IASociety).
Big Names and Breakout Sessions
Speakers at AIDS 2024 will include Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of NIAID, and Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. They’ll talk about science and policy and the global response to the epidemic.
Breakout sessions will cover:
- HIV Treatment: Antiretrovirals, long-acting injectables, and an HIV vaccine.
- Prevention: PrEP, harm reduction for people who inject drugs.
- Social Determinants of Health: How social and structural factors affect HIV and how to change them.
- Community Engagement: Community-led programs and affected people in program design.
- Policy and Advocacy: Advocacy and political will to end HIV (IASociety) (Messe München GmbH) (Make Way).
Connect and Collaborate
AIDS 2024 is where you’ll meet peers, share stories and learn from each other. There will be networking sessions, poster displays and an exhibition where organizations can show off and innovate.
Laura Bush said, “People living with HIV need to reach out to other people and let them know they can get tested, they can find out they can live — a positive life, a happy life” (Simply Munich).
Looking to the Future
As the world works towards ending HIV, AIDS 2024 will be the place to do that. It will bring everyone together to get committed and moving.
For more information about AIDS 2024, including registration and the program, go to the IAS website (IASociety) (Messe München GmbH).
AIDS 2024 will bring together the smartest people and most passionate advocates to end HIV and leave no one behind on the road to health and dignity for all. As Bono said, “History will judge us on how we respond to the AIDS emergency…whether we stood around with watering cans and watched while a whole continent burn, or not.” That’s the call to action (Simply Munich).