1. The real impact of funding cuts Study after study, conversation after conversation brought home the hard reality of what the severely disrupted aid funding means for communities, services and the HIV response. New research painted a stark picture of clinic closures, workforce losses and major declines in HIV prevention and treatment services across multiple countries. 2. Political leadership and new models of partnership The funding crisis exposed a structural weakness of the global HIV response: a governance model built around dependence on a single donor. AIDS 2026 heard growing consensus that progress will require political leadership and partnership models that diversify power and funding away from that reliance. 3. Advances in long-acting prevention, access and the power of choice New studies reinforced the promise of long-acting HIV prevention. Participants overwhelmingly chose to continue twice-yearly lenacapavir in clinical trials, while additional prevention options continue to expand. However, delegates stressed that scientific breakthroughs must be matched by equitable access. 4. Treatment advances Once-weekly oral HIV treatment moved a step closer to reality, with Phase 3 ISLEND trial results showing once-weekly oral islatravir/lenacapavir was effective and well tolerated in people with virologically suppressed HIV. 5. Progress towards cure Researchers shared new findings on HIV remission, immune responses and broadly neutralizing antibodies, expanding understanding of pathways that could one day support an HIV cure. 6. Vaccine promises Research presented at AIDS 2026 highlighted encouraging advances in HIV vaccine development, including new approaches that better direct immune responses and support future human trials. 7. AI and digital tools From AI-supported HIV self-testing in China to drone delivery of HIV medicines in Nigeria, digital innovation is helping improve earlier diagnosis, expand access and strengthen service delivery. Researchers also explored the responsible use of AI. 8. Focus on children New scientific treatment advances for children and adolescents offer encouraging progress. Delegates also heard how funding cuts are threatening hard-won gains and leaving children among those most affected. 9. The case for integrated care Across several sessions, a consistent message emerged: HIV outcomes improve when services are integrated into existing points of care, rather than delivered in isolation. 10. Communities at the centre Across the conference, evidence showed that community-led responses improve health outcomes, strengthen accountability and reduce stigma. Delegates stressed that investing in communities remains essential to an effective HIV response. 11. The compounding harm of stigma and criminalization Research demonstrated how stigma, criminalization and anti-rights policies continue to undermine HIV prevention, testing and treatment, particularly for key populations, highlighting the need for rights-based approaches. 12. Conflict, disruption and resilience Studies from Sudan, Ukraine and other settings showed how conflict and humanitarian crises disrupt HIV services and demonstrated the resilience of health systems and communities that invest in decentralized, locally led models of care. |
