The International AIDS Conference is the largest conference on any global health issue in the world. Bringing more than 15 000 participants together, the conference was an opportunity to strengthen policies and programmes that ensure an evidence-informed response to the epidemic. Under the theme “Breaking barriers, building bridges”, the conference drew attention to the need of rights-based approaches to more effectively reach key populations. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Sidibé, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, stressed that the pace of progress is not fast enough to meet the 2020 targets. He sounded the alarm on the growing inequalities and intolerance for diversity that are resulting in an HIV prevention crisis. He noted the need to break barriers that exclude people from their rights. 

The conference was set to emphasize the need to promote human rights-based and evidence-informed HIV responses that are tailored to the needs of vulnerable communities, activate and galvanize political commitment and accountability among governments, donors, the private sector and civil society and address gaps in and highlight the critical role of HIV prevention. 

There were opportunities for sharing knowledge, ideas and good practices through plenary discussions, abstract presentations, symposia, skills-building workshops and numerous independent events. 

UIPHP researchers, together with the partners, presented the results of our recent studies on various aspects of the HIV epidemic in Ukraine. 

UIPHP Scientific Director Kostyantyn Dumchev presented the results of our analysis of HIV clinical database, showing impressive progress as well as gaps in HIV treatment continuum in Ukraine:

Data from large electronic medical record dataset reveal significant improvements and gaps in HIV treatment cascade in Ukraine

The posters of the UIPPG researchers Tetyana Kiryazova and Olena Makarenko contained quantitative and qualitative data on dual stigma among HIV-positive drug users in Ukraine:

Dual stigma among HIV-positive PWID in Ukraine and care integration

HIV and substance use stigma among non-specialized medical care providers in Ukraine

Iryna Zaviryukha's poster presentation was dedicated to new findings in collaboration between UIPHP and Yale University identifying the emerging HIV epidemic in older adults:

Uncovering a new at-risk group for HIV infection in Ukraine among adults aged 50 and older