Avac Event

Dapivirine Ring: Giving Women Hope and Choice in HIV Prevention

The monthly Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) is a critical option in the HIV prevention tool kit, being entirely woman controlled, discreet, and very safe and simple to implement.

This webinar highlighted ongoing market access activities to ensure women have access to the monthly DVR; key learnings from community and government engagement activities; the perspective of local advocates in the HIV prevention space; and provided updates on the development of the 3-month DVR, which promises to be a more convenient and cost-effective product. Join The Choice Agenda to learn more.

Speakers:

  • Diantha Pillay, IPM South Africa
  • Emily Dorman, Population Council
  • Yvette Raphael, Advocacy for Prevention of HIV and AIDS (APHA)
  • Chilufya Kasanda, Ascend Futures Foundation

Recording / Transcript / Slides / Resources

Avac Event

IAS 2027, the 14th IAS Conference on HIV Science

IAS 2027, the 14th IAS Conference on HIV Science, will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, and virtually from 11 to 15 July 2027. Around 5,000 people from more than 130 countries are expected to attend.

The IAS Conference on HIV Science is the world’s most influential meeting on HIV research and its applications. Through its open and inclusive programme, the meeting sets the gold standard of HIV science, featuring latest HIV research and innovations that move science into policy and practice.

Avac Event

AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference

AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and virtually on 26-31 July 2026, comes at a crucial time for the HIV response.

In the face of an unprecedented funding crisis and major cutbacks to HIV programmes, the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS will unite people living with HIV, researchers, policy makers, healthcare professionals, funders, media and communities.

Avac Event

The Injectors of Tomorrow are Here Today

An important part of expanding PrEP access includes increasing the number of individuals who can deliver PrEP, particularly injectable PrEP, and the locations where PrEP can be administered and obtained. The Choice Agenda heard from community health workers and pharmacists who are taking actions outside the box such as learning to inject, and moving PrEP out of clinics into homes, the street, and other places our communities want to engage.

Moderators:

  • Dr. Leandro Mena, Emory University and NMAC
  • Parrish Brown, Whitman-Walker Health

Speakers:

  • Seth Gomez, Wellness Equity Alliance
  • April Henson, Legacy Community Health
  • Francois Venter, University of the Witwatersrand

Recording / Slides / Transcript

Avac Event

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, CEO of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and AVAC board member.
  • We covered what the People’s Research Agenda tracks, why it matters, and the advocacy priorities that will shape the future of prevention R&D.

View Recording / Download Slides

Avac Event

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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Avac Event

The Quest For An HIV Cure — Will It Be Discovered in Africa?

We explored what has been happening in terms of HIV cure research in Africa, and discussed 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

Recording / Transcript / Slides / Resources

Avac Event

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.

Avac Event

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.

Avac Event

The Dual Prevention Pill Introduction Plan

Both a Question and an Answer to Integration

Introducing the Dual Prevention Pill (DPP) will require integration of contraception and PrEP in guidelines, health systems, delivery approaches, and demand creation. Join us to discuss how programs should think about rolling out novel prevention products like the DPP in the current landscape, learning from projects across sub-Saharan Africa.

Moderator

  • Isolde Birdthistle, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Speakers

  • Dr. Lori Miller, IPPF
  • Nelia Banda, CHAI
  • Rhoda Msiska, Copper Rose Zambia

PDF version of flyer also available.