AIDS 2026 in Rio called on us all to rethink, rebuild and rise up. A conference in Latin America and the Caribbean was long overdue, and there was real enthusiasm for Brazil as host. But the backdrop was markedly different from the last time the conference met: unprecedented funding cuts have caused major disruption to HIV testing, prevention and community-led services. Even so, more than 7,000 delegates attended, and the conference gave the world a chance to learn about Brazil's approach: one that upholds the rights and the inclusion of key populations and integrates HIV services into Universal Health Coverage. Here are our key takeaways.

3 min read | 04 Aug 2026