As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on the unprecedented funding crisis and its profound impact on HIV programmes, as well as resilience and achievements across the HIV response. Our collective engagement at IAS 2025, the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science, underscored these challenges and highlighted the power of science, innovation and community to drive momentum forward. Explore the IAS 2025 conference report for detailed insights now. Reflecting on IAS 2025 IAS 2025 took place in Kigali, Rwanda, and virtually from 13 to 17 July 2025. Despite acute funding challenges, almost 4,000 people came together in Kigali and virtually, showing the resilience that continues to define the HIV response. IAS 2025 attracted diverse participation, with the strongest representation for all delegates coming from the continent of Africa (46%): The IAS awarded a total of 247 scholarships to delegates from 56 countries, with 62% from central, eastern, southern and western Africa. Key conference themes Funding cuts: Delegates examined emerging evidence of the funding crisis, which continues to lead to sharp declines in HIV testing, treatment initiation, prevention services and viral suppression across multiple countries alongside major disruptions to health systems, supply chains and the HIV workforce. Modelling studies presented at the conference showed that, without mitigation, these reductions could result in millions of additional HIV acquisitions and hundreds of thousands of additional HIV-related deaths by 2030, with key populations and children most affected. Prevention tools: Scientific innovation in HIV prevention was also a key focus, with the release of new World Health Organization guidelines recommending the use of long-acting injectable lenacapavir as a pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option and promising data on the experimental monthly PrEP agent, MK-8527. African leadership: IAS 2025 showcased the central role of African-led science in shaping the global HIV response. The conference also highlighted Rwanda’s achievement in reaching the 95-95-95 targets for HIV diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression and its success in tackling the 2024 Marburg virus outbreak. The Kigali Declaration: At IAS 2025, scientists, advocates, clinicians, programme implementers, policy makers and community leaders endorsed the Kigali Declaration, calling on governments, multilateral organizations, donors and civil society to reaffirm HIV as a global priority. The declaration emphasizes country ownership, meaningful partnerships and sustained investment to strengthen regional centres of excellence and support the next generation of researchers. Discover full insights now. Looking ahead to AIDS 2026 We invite you to join us in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, or virtually from 26 to 31 July 2026. Join the conversation The official theme of AIDS 2026 is Rethink. Rebuild. Rise. Share your story or message of support using #RethinkRebuildRise! Connect online by following us, and help spread the word by sharing suggested social posts and graphics from our AIDS 2026 social toolkit. |
