AIDS 2026 - International AIDS Conference
AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 26 to 31 July 2026, in the Riocentro.
From 26 to 31 July 2026
Main points
The International AIDS Society (IAS) organised the 26th edition of the International AIDS Conference this year.
The conference brought together people living with HIV, researchers, policy-makers, healthcare professionals, donors, the media and communities, centred on the theme: “Rethink. Rebuild. Rise.” “
The ANRS MIE was present :
- at the symposium organised by the Rhiviera consortium on the theme “Treatment interruption and resumption: lessons learnt from clinical trials on HIV cure”;
- at the France stand through round-table discussions, meetings and Q&A sessions;
- and through the agency’s supported research, which will inform various sessions.
AIDS 2026 took place in a context marked by major developments in the HIV response, particularly regarding programme funding and organisation. This event represents an important opportunity to analyse ongoing dynamics and identify future priorities.
The conference highlighted the conditions needed to sustain scientific and operational progress in the fight against HIV. It provided a forum for discussion on issues related to research, clinical trials and the integration of scientific knowledge into health strategies.
In this context, AIDS 2026 structured around five strategic priorities aimed at supporting innovation, strengthening prevention approaches and promoting the implementation of coordinated responses:
- Accelerate innovation in basic and clinical science, spanning research into reducing HIV acquisition and transmission, developing immunotherapeutics and vaccines, understanding pathogenesis, improving treatment options, managing co-infections, co-morbidities and ageing-related issues, and advancing towards a cure and/or sustained remission strategies.
- Enhance HIV prevention to optimize cost-effective biomedical, behavioural and structural interventions, with special attention on identifying and overcoming implementation challenges and scaling successful HIV prevention strategies.
- Advance interdisciplinary collaboration in programme implementation to improve HIV outcomes across all life stages, with emphasis on translating research findings into actionable policies and practices.
- Promote a human rights-based and evidence-informed HIV response that is tailored to the needs of key and vulnerable populations, protects civil society spaces and strengthens community resilience.
- Discuss the most recent HIV science and policy in the Americas, empowering regional actors to actively contribute and disseminate their findings and experiences globally and integrate firmly into global HIV networks.
Rhiviera consortium satellite symposium
Organised by the ANRS RHIVIERA consortium, this satellite symposium focused on the theme: “Treatment interruption and treatment resumption: lessons learned from HIV cure clinical trials.” It took place on 30 July, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
This satellite explored current advances and challenges in analytical treatment interruption (ATI) research as a means to understand post-ART viral dynamics.
Drawing on findings from RHIVIERA and other international studies, the session examined the immunovirological mechanisms underlying viral rebound and post-treatment control, the evolution of infection after ART resumption, and the lived experience of study participants.
By integrating insights from diverse ATI studies and therapeutic trials, the aim of this workshop was to encourage dialogue between clinicians, researchers, and community representatives, and to identify emerging therapeutic opportunities that may pave the way toward sustained HIV remission.
