AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference

July 26–31, 2026

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Event Website (External Link)
Conference banner for AIDS 2026 showing a red awareness ribbon and dates July 26–31, 2026, with the circular event logo on the left.

AIDS 2026, the 26th International AIDS Conference, taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and virtually, comes at a crucial time for the HIV response. In the face of an unprecedented funding crisis and major cutbacks to HIV programs, the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS will bring together people living with HIV, researchers, policy makers, healthcare professionals, funders, media and communities—to rethink, rebuild and rise.

 

Stop by the South to South Learning Network (SSLN) Learning and Connection Hub (Booth #909), a dynamic space where you can learn and connect with your peers. Interact and take photos with Tobi, an AI-powered chatbot, be a guest on the Listen Live podcast, wind down with the Colour & Connect creative hours, and more! The Population Council is a proud partner of the SSLN.

 

Council presenters are bolded.

The embargo on all abstracts, including oral abstract, poster exhibition, e-poster and late breakers, will lift on Monday, 27 July, 14:00 Brasilia Time (BRT).

Sessions & Speakers

  1. Wednesday 07/29

    Jump to the start of the Sessions & Speakers list

    Posters | All day | Poster Exhibition Hall

    Posters will be displayed all day; presenters will be by their poster from 12:00 to 13:00

    “I Just Made My Own Choice”: Women’s decision-making in the context of HIV PrEP choice in Eastern and Southern Africa (WEPED294) (Abstract)
    I. Segawa

     

    Preparing for PrEP Ring Introduction: Insights from community engagement and sensitization in four districts of Rwanda (WEPED294) (Abstract)
    Diantha Pillay, Sinazo Pato

     

    Empowering Choice in HIV Prevention: Early engagement lessons from the PrEP ring in Botswana (WEPEF678) (Abstract)
    Diantha Pillay

  2. Thursday 07/30

    Jump to the start of the Sessions & Speakers list

    Posters | All day | Poster Exhibition Hall

    Posters will be displayed all day; presenters will be by their poster from 12:00 to 13:00

     

    Results from a US Pilot Evaluation of Journeys, a Status-neutral Group Program to Address Multiple Stigmas and Support Mental Health, HIV Wellness, and Shared Resilience (THPED319) (Abstract)

    DeMarc A. Hickson

     

    Strengthening Healthcare Provider Capacity to Support HIV Prevention Choice: Experiences from dapivirine ring transition‑to‑scale project in Rwanda and Botswana (THPEE467) (Abstract)

    Diantha Pillay

     

    Bridging the Evidence-to-action Gap: Leveraging AI and centralised data hub to strengthen HIV prevention programming in sub-Saharan Africa (THPEE587) (Abstract)

    Sanyukta Mathur

     

    Anticipating Implementation Challenges to Lenacapavir Introduction in Uganda: A pre-mortem analysis (THPEF634) (Abstract)

    Chantalle Okondo

    Live stream interview | 10:00–10:30 | SSLN Learning and Connection Hub (Booth 909)

    It’s all about prevention choice: Understanding the PrEP ring

    Live streamed interview with the IPM South Africa NPC team (an affiliate of the Population Council)

    Oral Presentation | 15:00–16:00 | 101A

    Results of a Randomized, Double-blind, Phase 1b Study to Evaluate the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Bleeding Associated with Two 90-day Multipurpose Dapivirine-levonorgestrel Vaginal Rings for HIV and Pregnancy Prevention (OAC2804) (Abstract)

    Kyle Kleinbeck

    Satellite (SAT27) | 18:00–19:30 | 101C

    From Choice to Impact: Long-acting and multipurpose HIV prevention technologies (Abstract)

    Hosted by IPM South Africa NPC, an affiliate of the Population Council

     

    Choice is central to effective HIV prevention. As the prevention landscape evolves, sustaining a range of user-centered options is essential to meeting the diverse needs of people at risk of HIV, particularly women and adolescent girls. This satellite session explores the future of HIV prevention choice through multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) and longer-acting delivery systems. Focusing on innovations such as emerging three-month rings and dapivirine–levonorgestrel vaginal ring, the session examines how MPTs can address HIV prevention alongside contraceptive needs, reduce user burden, and support adherence. Speakers will discuss scientific advances, implementation considerations, and access pathways, alongside perspectives from researchers, implementers, governments, advocates, and communities. By convening diverse stakeholders, the session highlights the role of long-acting, user-controlled technologies in strengthening prevention choice and equity in the HIV response.

     

    Refreshments will be provided.

     

    Speakers
    Co-Moderators: Emily Dorman, Population Council and Diantha Pillay, IPM South Africa NPC, affiliate of the Population Council
    Kyle Kleinbeck, Population Council
    Dr Nyaradzo Mgodi, UZ-CTRC Zengeza CRS
    Sindy Matse, Ministry of Health, eSwatini
    Kate Segal, AVAC, USA
    Chilufya Kasanda, Ascend Futures Foundation, Zambia
    Siviwe Gaika, APHA Ground Forces, South Africa
    Doreen Moracha, Social Media Influencer, Kenya

     

    Register now!

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