amfAR at AIDS 2026: Rethink. Rebuild. Rise.

At a time when funding shortfalls and HIV program cutbacks are negatively impacting progress in the fight against AIDS, an estimated 10,000 participants from around the world will gather to share vital information about sustaining and reshaping the HIV response at AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and virtually, July 26–31.

This year’s theme is “Rethink. Rebuild. Rise.”—a chance to discuss fresh ideas about HIV treatment, prevention, and cure and strengthen evidence-based practices around health delivery.

“Every two years, the International AIDS Society invites the global HIV community to come together to share the latest advances to help people impacted by HIV and related diseases,” said amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford. “As part of its mission to cure HIV and improve global health, amfAR is proud to once again be part of this worldwide brain trust, especially in this time of urgency.”

Here is a preview of amfAR’s presence at AIDS 2026.

Sustaining the Global HIV Response

A new amfAR-sponsored study presented by co-lead author Elise Lankiewicz, Senior Policy Associate, amfAR’s Andelson Office of Public Policy, will provide the first independent look at how cuts to PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) have interrupted the progress of the most successful global health program of all time helped generate. During a “Co-Chair’s Choice” session, she will share the results of the PEPFAR Pulse Study. Conducted across 166 PEPFAR-funded organizations in 46 countries, the study provides evidence of disruptions to HIV service sites and prevention programs, among other services.

Featuring a panel of HIV experts, amfAR CEO Kyle Clifford will moderate a symposium titled, “Safeguarding space and services for key populations in the face of shrinking resources.” Amid calls for integrating specialized services into mainstream health delivery as a solution to funding cuts, the discussion will examine the need to preserve programs serving marginalized populations that are heavily impacted by HIV and often face exclusion from traditional healthcare settings.

Strengthening HIV Health

Two scientists who have helped enhance amfAR’s research program immensely have been selected to address the conference as a whole on issues facing people living with HIV. Dr. Lishomwa (Lish) Ndhlovu, of Weill Cornell Medical College and Chair of the amfAR Research Council, will discuss advancing healthy aging in people living with HIV. Dr. Sanjay Pujari, of the Institute of Infectious Diseases in Pune, India, and a network investigator in amfAR’s TREAT Asia program, will address clinical strategies for integrating services for HIV, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases.

Innovating HIV Cure Strategies

Across multiple sessions devoted to curing HIV, amfAR grantees will contribute numerous presentations on cutting-edge strategies to eradicate or control HIV. Two highlights are featured below.

Current Krim Fellow Dr. Gabriel Duette of the Westmead Institute and University of Sydney in Australia is presenting on how the virus might potentially be controlled after treatment is stopped as part of a cure intervention through an increase in the number of CD8 T cells.

amfAR grantee Dr. Nadia Roan of the University of California, San Francisco, will discuss the cell makeup of the active viral reservoir, the primary barrier to a cure, and how this latent HIV can persist for decades. Dr. Roan is currently part of an amfAR-supported collaborative study using AI-enabled science The HIV Immune Atlas Study, a groundbreaking effort aimed at transforming scientific understanding of how HIV affects different cell types and the immune system at large.

Click here for an overview of amfAR’s contributions to AIDS 2026, including a comprehensive calendar of presentations, sessions, and workshops.

Click here for daily updates of sessions at AIDS 2026 covering research on curing HIV, HIV care, and AIDS policy from amfAR and others.

For more information about AIDS 2026, click here.

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