According to the Ministry of Health, Rwanda’s 76% reduction in HIV incidence over the past 15 years is just one of many inspiring success stories to be shared at 13th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Science, the world’s leading gathering on HIV research, taking place in Kigali from July 13 to 17. ALSO READ: HIV infections decrease by over 80% in Rwanda The event, which will also be accessible virtually, is expected to draw thousands of scientists, health experts, policymakers, and community advocates from across the globe. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s bold path to ending AIDS, progress, challenges, and the road ahead The IAS Conference on HIV Science is a biennial event that showcases the latest advances in HIV research, explaining scientific discoveries into policies and practical interventions that shape global and regional HIV responses. The conference is recognized for its open and inclusive approach, presenting a wide range of current research and innovations in HIV/AIDS. Rwanda has made steady progress in HIV prevention, treatment, and care over the past 20 years. The Ministry of Health’s HIV programmes contributed to a drop in new infections and expanded access to antiretroviral therapy. IAS 2025 is expected to highlight the latest biomedical, behavioural, and social science advances and also address persistent political and financial challenges impacting the global HIV response. Particular attention will be paid to the implications of these challenges for Africa, where HIV continues to extremely affect millions of people. Keynote speakers include Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, the Minister of Health, Professor Linda-Gail Bekker, the Director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape Town, whose work has been instrumental in HIV research and community engagement in South Africa, Professor Placide Mbala Kingebeni from the University of Kinshasa’s School of Medicine, a leading expert on infectious diseases in Central Africa; and Dr. Morkor Newman Owiredu, the Medical Officer at the World Health Organization in Geneva, who will address global health policies and the role of international agencies in the HIV response. The conference will include plenary sessions, symposia, workshops, and community forums, focusing on topics such as HIV prevention strategies, treatment innovations, vaccine research, and efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination. IAS 2025 will actively include communities most affected by HIV, ensuring their perspectives are central to discussions and supporting the conference’s commitment to inclusivity and equity.
