Since 1988, the International AIDS Society (IAS) has convened experts from around the world every other year at its biennial HIV science conferences to accelerate the scientific response to the epidemic and enhance the quality of life of all those living with the virus. Today, IAS comprises a global forum of more than 13,000 members in 170 countries, making it the world’s largest association of HIV professionals.

This year’s IAS Conference on HIV Science (IAS 2023), held over four days in Brisbane, Australia, brought together thousands of scientists, policymakers and activists to address global challenges and showcase scientific advances in HIV prevention, treatment, cure and vaccine research.

To ensure participation by as diverse a group as possible, IAS awarded grants and scholarships to key stakeholders and change makers, including young people (through its Youth Hub). IAS also held the conference virtually.

The Prevention Access Campaign’s (PAC) Undetectable Equals Untransmittable (U=U) message loomed large at the conference (see page 18). Although the concept that people with an undetectable viral load who continue to take their meds do not transmit the virus to their sexual partners has taken root in the United States, that is not the case in many other countries around the world. Spread more broadly, the fact of U=U will go a long way toward stemming global transmission of the virus as well as fighting HIV stigma.

PAC’s #sayzero campaign encourages people to use clear and celebratory language to help spread the message of U=U.

PAC’s #sayzero campaign encourages people to use clear and celebratory language to help spread the message of U=U.avit75/intragram

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