Avac Event

2024 IUSTI World Congress

The International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) and ASHM are pleased to invite you to the 25th IUSTI World Congress, which will this year incorporate the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference.

Taking place 17-20 September 2024 at the International Convention Centre in Gadigal Country, Australia, this conference will provide an opportunity to meet, discuss and learn about the latest research and innovation in sexual and reproductive health. The program will incorporate a range of world leading speakers and presentations, providing an opportunity to expand your professional knowledge through local and international insight.

Click here for registration and more info.

Avac Event

2024 STI Prevention Conference

The STI Prevention Conference is a biennial conference that brings together international leading researchers with government experts, clinical STD care providers, and state and local public health administrators. The 2024 STI Prevention Conference is organized by the American Sexual Health Association, the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Coalition of STD Directors.

Join more than 1,200 conference attendees September 16-19, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia, for four days of scientific updates and cutting-edge sessions on science, program, and policy.

Click here for registration and more info.

Avac Event

AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference

More than 15,000 attendees will convene in Munich, Germany and virtually from July 22 – 26 for AIDS 2024, the world’s largest conference on HIV/AIDS. This 25th session of the conference will kickoff with a full agenda of preconference sessions July 20 and 21. Register for the full conference and the pre-conference here. 
  
The conference occurs on the heels of the PURPOSE 1 PrEP trial announcement, one of the most important research results we’ve seen to date in an HIV prevention study. AVAC will be tracking discussion, debate and decision making on what’s next and how urgently the field moves to make the full range of PrEP products feasible choices for all people who need and want HIV prevention. We’ll also be following the latest scientific advances, efforts in decolonizing global health, successes in community-led initiatives, and much more. 

Read on for resources and ways to navigate AIDS2024.

Resources

  • The Research-to-Rollout Literacy Networking Zone, convened by AVAC and CASPR partners, will offer in-person and virtual programming including sessions on PrEP, the Dual Prevention Pill, HIV vaccine and cure research and more!
  • Follow events in real time on Twitter at #AIDS2024 and Instagram. See AVAC’s comments and updates by following us at @HIVpxresearch. And this page will always have the latest.

Pre-conferences, Satellites, Sessions and Workshops Featuring AVAC and Partners

Saturday, July 20

  • Pre-conference: Key Populations and HIV Prevention Pre-Conference, 08:00 – 16:00 CEST
    Hosted by the Global Black Gay Men Connect (GBGMC) and Global KP HIV Prevention Advisory Group in partnership with AVAC, Fierte Afrique, CoalitionPlus, EpiC Project and Palladium, this day-long session will “demand and deliver: securing rights, funding and prevention” will cover rights, funding and prevention to ensure that key populations are not left behind.
  • Pre-conference: Welcome to the Era of PrEP choice, 08:00 – 16:30 CEST
    Hosted by the Gates Foundation, Unitaid, USAID, WHO and partners, this session covers the PrEP pipeline, learnings from the early delivery of oral PrEP and what’s needs to happen to ensure expeditious access to the range of PrEP options for all.

Sunday, July 21

  • Pre-conference: Mobilize for action on sexually transmitted infections, 08:00 – 16:30 CEST
    Organized by WHO, IAS and International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI), this session will share insights into the global impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), featuring new developments in STIs, including the latest WHO guidelines, what we know and don’t know about antimicrobial resistance and the use of DoxyPEP.
  • Pre-conference: Towards a truly global HIV cure, 09:00 – 16:30 CEST
    This pre-conference will reflect on current research directions, scientific and structural challenges associated with conducting HIV cure research and the importance of expanding and coordinating efforts across countries and regions.

Monday, July 22

  • Satellite: New ways for the next wave: Innovative R&D for the future of women’s prevention, 09:30 – 10:30 CEST
    Organized by CASPR (Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research) and MATRIX (Microbicide R&D to Advance HIV Prevention Technologies through Responsive Innovation and Excellence), this session will focus on new efforts to identify and develop promising women’s prevention options, strategically engage all stakeholders, decolonize R&D and involve potential users in all their diversities throughout the process.
  • Satellite: Money, money, money: Building towards a sustainable end state for HIV prevention, 15:00 – 16:30 CEST
    As we look to 2030 and given stagnating or decreasing donor resources, we now face the question of how to ensure lasting impact with sustained access to PrEP. Hosted by AVAC, PATH, USAID, WHO and partners, this dynamic session will highlight critical HIV prevention financing gaps and showcase innovative financing and delivery solutions being rolled out to advance sustainable preventive services. 

Wednesday, July 24

  • Special Session: AIDS 2024 Co-Chairs’ Choice, 10:30 – 12:00 CEST
    Among exciting new developments, Linda Gail-Bekker will present, Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir or Daily Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide for HIV Prevention in Cisgender Women: Interim Analysis Results from the PURPOSE 1 Study.

Thursday, July 25

  • Satellite: HIV prevention in the time of choice, 07:00 – 08:00 CEST
    Organized by the African Women Prevention Accountability Board (AWPCAB) and IPM South Africa, this session will feature an expert panel discussing what is needed to make the current options available for all women and how to balance resources for expanding access to existing methods while simultaneously developing new methods.

Watch this space for new opportunities to come together and shape what happens next!

Avac Event

PrEP Justice: Updates on the US v. Gilead case and the fight for equitable PrEP access


In a major twist that could potentially result in as much as $1B for equitable PrEP access in the US, the government has just made the decision to appeal last year’s jury verdict in the US v. Gilead case. Following pressure from PrEP4All and HIV/AIDS advocates, the US government originally brought the case in 2019, alleging that Gilead had infringed on PrEP patents held by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and owed royalties to the government. While a jury verdict in May of last year went against the government, the judge in the case overturned a key part of that verdict just this March, setting the stage for a government appeal.

The stakes for communities in need of PrEP access could not be higher. Gilead’s patent infringement and price gouging have sabotaged equitable PrEP access in America. Royalties paid to the government could and should form the basis for a National PrEP Program that would help erase those disparities. Join The Choice Agenda and PrEP4All to discuss the origin of US v. Gilead, the reasons for the government appeal, and what the case means for PrEP users in the United States.

Moderator:

  • Michael Chancley, PrEP4All

Speakers:

  • Chris Morten, Columbia Law School
  • Jeremiah Johnson, PrEP4All

Recording / Slides / Resources

Avac Event

Where’s the Equity? Including People with Disabilities in HIV Prevention Programming and Research

As a movement motivated by health and human rights, the HIV field has collectively been tuning in more than ever to the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion when it comes to HIV prevention programming and research. That said, there seems to be less awareness and effort around the inclusion of people with disabilities in our programs and protocols. Recognizing that “people with disabilities” is an immense group of very diverse people, this webinar will explore the who, what, where and how involved in acknowledging the importance of including people with disabilities, with concrete ideas for where, how, and with whom we can improve our efforts. Please join us!

Speakers:

  • Dr. Hannah Kuper, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
  • Tafadzwa Maseva, Zimbabwe Network for Disability
  • Brian Minalga, Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination (HANC)
  • Sarah Mwikali, Gifted Community Centre

Moderators:

  • JD Davids, Strategies for High Impact / Long COVID Justice
  • Patriciah Jeckonia, LVCT Health

Avac Event

AIDS 2024: New Ways for the Next Wave: Innovative R&D for the future of women’s prevention

This session will be 9:30AM to 11:00AM Munich time.

Women need a range of HIV prevention options to meet different needs, preferences and life circumstances. Currently available pills, rings and injectables are necessary but insufficient. How might we accelerate the delivery of methods we have while developing additional ones – including systemic and non-systemic methods, short-acting and on-demand products, to complement longer-acting ones? Product developers and advocates are collaborating on new approaches to expedite R&D of additional HIV prevention options. Notably, MATRIX is taking a unique approach, endorsed by the CASPR network of advocates, that aims to improve the odds of success of new products – through development, delivery and use.

This session will focus on new efforts to identify and develop promising options, strategically engage all stakeholders, decolonize R&D and involve potential users in all their diversities throughout the process.

Speakers:

  • Jeanne Marrazzo, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
  • Sharon Hillier, University of Pittsburgh / Magee-Womens Research Institute
  • Thesla Palanee-Phillips, Wits RHI

Followed by a moderated panel with:

  • Chimwemwe Chamdimba, African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization (AMRH) initiative- AUDA/NEPAD
  • Kelly Chibale, Holistic Drug Discovery and Development Centre -H3D, University of Cape Town
  • Nyaradzo Mgodi, University of Zimbabwe- Harare Health Research Centre
  • Jerop Ruth Limo, Ambassador for Youth and Adolescents Reproductive Health Program (AYARHEP)

Moderators:

  • Navita Jain, AVAC
  • Kenneth Ngure, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Session Chairs:

  • Sharon Hillier, University of Pittsburgh / Magee-Womens Research Institute
  • Imelda Mahaka, Pangaea Zimbabwe

This satellite session will be co-hosted by CASPR and MATRIX, with support from USAID and PEPFAR.

Avac Event

You Get What You Measure: Why Monitoring for PrEP Choice Helps Tell Our Story

The data we collect on a program determines its path and priorities. This webinar covered the current state of PrEP M&E and efforts to improve and simplify the data we collect, allowing our data to better reflect how people are using PrEP, support PrEP choice amongst the growing array of PrEP methods, and enhance the stories we can tell about PrEP program implementation.

Presenters:

  • Katharine Kripke, Avenir Health, MOSAIC
  • Jessica Williamson, Avenir Health, MOSAIC

Panelists:

  • Omolabake Ekundayo, Ministry of Health Nigeria
  • Dr. Herbert Kadama, Ministry of Health Uganda
  • Ramatsoai Soothoane, Jhpiego, MOSAIC Project Lesotho

Moderator:

  • Adaobi Olisa, FHI360, MOSAIC Project Nigeria

This webinar offered live French and Portuguese translation, courtesy of the South-to-South Learning Network in Africa.

Co-sponsors:

  • BioPIC
  • South-to-South Learning Network
  • The MOSAIC Project

Recording in English / French Audio Recording / Portuguese Audio Recording / Webinar Slides / Strengthening and Harmonising PrEP Indicators

Avac Event

Responding to Project 2025’s Threats to Science, Rights and Resources

Project 2025 is part of an ongoing multi-pronged backlash to the sexual and reproductive health, gender and LGBTQ+ movements. This has serious implications for both domestic and foreign policies and programs for our communities and beyond. Building on the experience of the HIV movement in fighting these same far-right forces, this webinar discussed potential responses through the lens of HIV affected communities and programs.

Speakers:

  • Sean Cahill, The Fenway Institute
  • Aleksei Lakhov, EuroNPUD
  • Will Ramirez, Southern AIDS Coalition
  • Beirne Roose-Snyder, Council for Global Equality
  • Olabukunola (Buky) Williams, AKINA MAMA WA AFRIKA

Moderators:

  • Anne-christine d’Adesky, Stop the Coup 2025
  • Allan Maleche, KELIN

Co-sponsors:

  • AVAC
  • European AIDS Treatment Group
  • EuroNPUD
  • The Fenway Institute
  • Funders Concerned About AIDS
  • GSSG Foundation
  • KELIN
  • Southern AIDS Coalition
  • Stop the Coup 2025

Recording / Slides / Resources / Chat

Avac Event

The GPP Body of Evidence: GPP Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks, REAL and REAL2

GPP is an essential part of clinical trials research, and an ethical imperative to creating equitable and effective clinical trials. GPP is created by and for communities, so it necessarily looks different and takes multiple forms in different cultural contexts. This kind of responsiveness is inherent to GPP, but it also makes it difficult to measure and evaluate.

In this webinar, we learned from the Realist Review of Community Engagement and the REAL2 review of participatory research that both examined frameworks for evaluating community engagement efforts, as well as the Global Health Network’s new course on evaluation, and other evaluation efforts in the field of GPP.

Moderator:

  • Jessica Salzwedel, AVAC

Panelists:

  • Alun Davies, The Global Health Network
  • Sassy Molyneux, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust
  • Dr. Robin Vincent, Oxford University

Recording / Alun Davies Slides / Sassy Molyneux Slides / Dr. Robin Vincent Slides

Avac Event

It’s Not Just about the Trial: GPP from discovery to delivery in TB research

GPP enhances every stage of the research lifecycle. In this webinar, our partners at TB Alliance, SMART4TB, and THINK will shared experiences, lessons learned, and innovative approaches in integrating GPP at the organizational, network and situational level, from drug development through delivery.

Moderators:

  • Stacey Hannah, AVAC
  • Dr. Michele Tameris, University of Cape Town

Panelists:

  • Stephanie Seidel, TB Alliance
  • Erica Lessem, SMART4TB
  • Masingita Lambane, THINK

Recording / Stephanie Seidel Slides / Erica Lessem Slides / Masingita Lambane Slides