The Future of HIV Prevention: A People’s Research Agenda for Speed, Scale and Equity
First developed in 2024 in partnership with global advocates and communities, the People’s Research Agenda sets out a people-centered framework for equitable and accelerated R&D and product introduction. The PRA tracks the science, shows where investments align—or fail to align—with community-defined priorities, and spotlights critical gaps in the pipeline of prevention options needed to meet the diverse realities of all populations.
Featured speaker Jeanne Marrazzo, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and AVAC board member.
We will cover what the People’s Research Agenda tracks, why it matters, and the advocacy priorities that will shape the future of prevention R&D.
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The Science of HIV Cure: What communities need to know
Speakers shared the latest on research toward an HIV cure and how lessons from progress in pediatric cure research can inform the path forward.
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The Quest For An HIV Cure — Will It Be Discovered in Africa?
We will explore what has been happening in terms of HIV cure research in Africa, and discuss opportunities to support more Africa-focused HIV cure research.
Moderator: Anna Miti, The Choice Agenda
Speakers:
Dr. Thumbi Ndung’u, Africa Health Research Institute
Dr. Gabriela Cromhout, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Adaobi Lisa Olisa, Root to Rise, IAS HIV Vaccine & Cure Advocacy Fellow
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Community Engagement in USG Global Health MoUs
Following up on a recent webinar, this will be a space to share real-time experiences, strategize, and define collective asks before Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are finalized on December 12.
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Influencing the New USG Global Health MoUs and PEPFAR Strategy
We invite you to an urgent and critical webinar focused on the new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) governing US Government (USG) global health investments, including PEPFAR, under the “America First Strategy.” These MoUs are currently under rapid discussion with African Governments.
Organized by COMPASS in collaboration with EANNASO and Data ETC, this webinar is designed to equip African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with the necessary analysis and advocacy strategies.
The goal is to enable CSOs to proactively influence the priorities for the upcoming five years of USG health investments, specifically concerning HIV, primary prevention, and the crucial role of community-led monitoring and delivery.
Featured Experts
Emily Bass: The New MoU and its implications.
Brian Honnermann (amfAR): The New MoU and its implications.
Nelson Otuoma (NEPHAK-Kenya): Direct experience from national MoU participation.
Munyaradzi Chimwara (ACT-Zimbabwe): Community safeguards for inclusion and accountability.
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Innovative HIV Prevention and Treatment Keynote and Panel Discussion
An in-depth discussion on lenacapavir, this session will examine its potential to transform HIV prevention on a global scale, looking at the latest clinical evidence, regulatory pathways, and the access barriers that may shape its rollout, especially in low-resource settings. The program will feature a special keynote address followed by a panel discussion with leading experts in HIV prevention and global health, exploring how innovation, policy, and equity intersect in the next frontier of HIV response.
Keynote Session
Moupali Das, MD, MPH, Gilead Sciences
Keynote Moderator: Dr. Charles B. Holmes, Director, Georgetown University Center for Innovation in Global Health; Distinguished Scholar and Program Director·O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University Law Center
Panel Discussion
Moderator: Martha Sichone Cameron, PhD Candidate, Global Infectious Disease, Georgetown University
Micheal Ighodaro, Executive Director, Global Black Gay Men Connect (GBGMC)
Rupa Patel, MD, MPH, Clinical Researcher, Whitman Walker Institute
Mitchell Warren, Executive Director, AVAC
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Beyond Borders
Join ISSTDR, IUSTI, the STI & HIV 2025 World Congress, and AVAC for a special webinar spotlighting speakers who were not about to join the congress due to financial and political barriers. Presenters will share their findings, debate their results, and discuss the work still ahead for the STI field. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage directly with cutting-edge research and the people driving it forward.
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The Lancet’s Innovations in Sexual & Reproductive Health
Professor Kenneth Mayer (Fenway Health/Harvard Medical School/Harvard University Center for AIDS Research) and Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker (Desmond Tutu Health Foundation/University of Cape Town) made remarks coinciding with the US launch of The Lancet’s series on sexual and reproductive health.
This series, supported by The Gates Foundation, brings together global experts to highlight innovations, challenges, and opportunities for improving sexual and reproductive health worldwide.
Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Grand Rounds “Synergy for Health: The Case for Combining HIV, Sexual and Reproductive Health Services” Presented by Prof. Linda-Gail Bekker
Community Response Featuring Adrianna Boulin, Director of Racial Equity, Social Justice, and Community Engagement at Fenway Health
Q & A with Audience
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From Courtrooms to Communities: Funding Advocacy to Protect HIV Responses
Please note: registration is limited to representatives of funding and philanthropy serving organizations.
Advocacy is one of the most underfunded areas of HIV philanthropy—yet essential to defending rights and sustaining progress.
Join Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 10:00–11:30 AM EST for From Courtrooms to Communities: Funding Advocacy to Protect HIV Responses.
Moderator
Marvell L. Terry II, Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA)
Featured Speakers
S. Mandisa Moore O’Neal, Center for HIV Law & Policy (CHLP)
Mitchell Warren, AVAC
Edwin J. Bernard, HIV Justice Network
Together, they will explore how shifting legal and policy environments are shaping HIV responses, why bold and intersectional advocacy strategies matter, and where philanthropy can make catalytic investments to protect and advance progress.
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We Declare—Turning “The People’s Declaration” Demands into Actions and Accountability on HIV
The People’s Declaration—currently with over 500 signatories, charts out a number of community priorities and demands—as noted below. The Choice Agenda, The Legacy Project, and a fabulous global panel discussed moving these demands into actions and accountability.
To date, the discourse surrounding these actions has focused largely on the devastation to grants, dollars, and institutions. Here, we center people instead—the communities who stand to suffer the harshest consequences of these actions. Here, we remind the world that the first letter in HIV stands for human.
We demand substantive, meaningful inclusion of community in every aspect of HIV research, from protocol development to study implementation to the dissemination of clinical trial results.
We demand diversity, equity, and inclusion amongst the scientific teams conducting HIV research.
We demand diversity, equity, and inclusion across all community stakeholder engagement activities.
We demand diversity, equity, and inclusion in the recruitment of clinical trial participants who accurately reflect the epidemic.
