AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference, took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and virtually from the 26-31 July 2026. Under the theme Rethink. Rebuild. Rise. it took place at a defining moment for the global HIV response. Alongside the latest research, discussions focused on scaling up long-acting HIV prevention, strengthening health systems, advancing country ownership, and ensuring the future of HIV prevention remains rooted in innovation, implementation and sustained investment.
AVAC’s resources, events and insights from the conference are below.
Check out AVAC’s Highlights from the Meeting
- Innovation Without Access is Injustice: AIDS 2026 Opens in Rio — July 28, 2026
- Science, Systems, and Communities: Turning Progress into Impact — July 30, 2026
Looking for key takeaways from the conference?
Watch here for highlights of the meeting from AVAC’s executive director, Mitchell Warren.
AVAC Session Roadmaps
AI and HIV Session Roadmap
See the AI & HIV Session Roadmap, featuring key conference sessions on artificial intelligence in HIV prevention, care, research and global health.
HIV Prevention Session Roadmap
See AVAC’s curated roadmap of HIV prevention sessions and key presentations to watch throughout AIDS 2026.
HIV Cure and Prevention Research Networking Zone
AVAC’s HIV Cure and Prevention Research Networking Zone was a place where delegates, researchers, advocates and community members could come together for interactive discussions, expert-led sessions and networking on HIV cure and prevention research, implementation and advocacy. See the schedule.
Resources
AVAC’s latest infographics on the research and development pipeline, prevention options, and the impact of US funding cuts can be accessed here.
Resource Hubs
Lenacapavir for PrEP
The introduction of injectable lenacapavir for HIV PrEP (LEN) is underway–in some places. While the field is moving faster than it did during the first decade of oral PrEP or the rollout of injectable cabotegravir, ensuring LEN—and future prevention options—reach everyone who needs them will require even greater speed, scale and equity. This resource hub contains all the tools, resources and insights on the latest with LEN rollout.
MK-8527
Expanding prevention choice means investing in a diverse pipeline of HIV prevention options. MK-8527 is an investigational antiretroviral (ARV) once-monthly oral PrEP pill currently in Phase III clinical trials. If proven safe and effective, it could offer another important PrEP option. This resource hub provides advocates with an overview of the MK-8527, the science behind it and the latest on its clinical development.
People’s Research Agenda
The People’s Research Agenda (PRA) sets out a people-centered framework for equitable and accelerated R&D and product introduction. This resource hub offers an online, interactive dashboard for tracking, translating, and advocating for HIV prevention research and development (R&D). It also 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.
Pre-conferences, Satellites, Sessions and Workshops Featuring AVAC and Partners
Sunday, 26 July
- Pre-conference: Advancing HIV prevention science and access
08:00 – 19:00
Hosted by the International AIDS Society, this pre-conference features six sessions showcasing the latest advances in HIV prevention science and access—including the Global Forecast of Long-Acting PrEP Need for Key Populations (2025–2030), developed jointly by GBGMC and AVAC. AVAC board, staff and partners will also explore the science behind next-generation HIV vaccine candidates and how to translate.
Monday, 27 July
- Satellite: Shared pipeline; shared goal: Innovations in long-acting antiretrovirals for PrEP, PEP and treatment
11:30 – 12:30
Organized by AVAC, this session will bring together researchers, product developers, donors, advocates and other partners to explore the future of long-acting antiretroviral (ARV) innovation for PrEP, PEP and treatment.
Tuesday, 28 July
- Symposium: bNAbs for cure: Hope or hype?
10:30-11:30
AVAC Board Member Marina Caskey will present in this symposium exploring the promise—and limitations—of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) for HIV cure.
Wednesday, 29 July
- Symposium: Leadership at the tipping point: Protecting the gains and advancing progress in a new era of the HIV response
10:30-11:30
Moderated by AVAC’s Mitchell Warren and HER Voice Fund Ambassador Nomonde Ngema, this symposium explores the future of the global HIV response amid shifting political priorities and an evolving global health landscape.
- Satellite: Choosing impact: Making long-acting HIV prevention a reality for key populations in sub-Saharan Africa
12:00 – 13:00
Organized by Global Black Gay Men Connect (GBGMC) with AVAC and a number of partners participating, this session will examine strategies to sustain and expand HIV prevention for key populations as long-acting prevention options become available.
- Satellite: To fund or not to fund: Pathways and proof points to sustaining HIV prevention as part of integrated approaches and health financing reforms
18:00 – 19:30
Organized by PATH, AVAC, UNAIDS, WHO, Unitaid, APCOM, ICWEA, Harvard, Frontline AIDS and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, this session will examine the growing HIV prevention funding crisis and what’s needed to sustain progress.
Thursday, 30 July
- Workshop: Skills Lab: Community-led monitoring
12:00 – 13:30
Facilitated by the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), NACOSA, the Network of Journalists Living with HIV (JONEHA) and community monitoring experts, including AVAC Senior Advisor Maureen Luba, this interactive workshop will strengthen practical skills in community-led monitoring (CLM).
- Symposium: From community to innovation to scale
16:30 – 17:30
AVAC’s Grace Kumwenda will join community leaders, researchers, clinicians, policymakers and funders to discuss the partnerships, inclusive research and implementation strategies needed to accelerate innovation and ensure equitable access from the outset.
- Satellite: From choice to impact: Long-acting and multipurpose HIV prevention technologies
18:00 – 19:30
Hosted by IPM South Africa, AVAC and Access Bridge’s Kate Segal and Ascend Futures Foundation’s Chilufya Kasanda will join researchers, advocates, implementers and policymakers to examine the latest scientific advances, implementation strategies and pathways to equitable access for long-acting options and MPTs.
Friday, July 31
- Symposium: The promises of long-acting injectable PrEP for HIV prevention
10:30 – 11:30
Access Bridge Executive Director Wawira Nyagah share community perspectives on early implementation of injectable cabotegravir and lenacapavir, identifying remaining gaps, and discussing strategies to accelerate equitable rollout.
HIV Cure Research at AIDS 2026
Explore HIV cure research sessions at AIDS 2026 with Treatment Action Group (TAG)’s curated list of conference sessions and events.