News

The International AIDS Society (IAS) is pleased to announce the results of the 2016 IAS Governing Council Elections. We would like to thank the members for your commitment and engagement in the elections. A total of 1,675 votes were received, which means that 22.1% of all members eligible to vote participated in the elections. The following IAS members were elected – using the Single Transferable Vote electoral system – and will serve on the IAS Governing Council for the next four years.   ...

The International AIDS Society (IAS) is grateful to Dr. Jack Whitescarver for his lifetime of dedication in the fight against HIV and AIDS and his more than twenty years as a member of the IAS. Dr. Whitescarver has announced that he will step down as Director of the Office of AIDS Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States as of 1 July 2015. He has held the position since 2000. During his NIH tenure, Dr. Whitescarver launched visionary domestic and international re...

An international commission of medical experts is calling for global drug decriminalisation, arguing that current policies lead to violence, deaths and the spread of disease, harming health and human rights.

The world has lost one of its most dedicated leaders in the fight against HIV. The International AIDS Society (IAS) shares in the deep sadness felt by many at the loss of Dr. Willard (Ward) Cates. For over 40 years, Ward has been working in the field of women's health, reproductive rights, and HIV/AIDS and was a recognised force in linking these fields of work. Ward was beloved as a committed and humble mentor to new generations of scientists and researchers. He was a true pioneer, an extraordi...

We are delighted to welcome Kevin Osborne to the International AIDS Society (IAS) as the new Director of HIV Programmes and Advocacy. Kevin brings over twenty years of experience in public health to the IAS executive team with a background in HIV programme implementation and human rights. Kevin has supported a number of national, regional and international programmes by forging sustainable partnerships with governments, UN agencies, community organisations and the donor community. He has extens...

Common Material Transfer Agreement will accelerate the search for a cure 20 January 2016 (Geneva, Switzerland)– The International AIDS Society (IAS) today announced the finalisation of a Common Material Transfer Agreement (cMTA) for the donation and use of antiretroviral drugs for preclinical studies in HIV cure research. This major achievement is the result of more than a year of negotiation with leading pharmaceutical companies. “This agreement will greatly accelerate the transfer of drugs...

This weekend the International AIDS Society (IAS) lost one of our own. Anita Datar, who has been an IAS member since 2014, was killed during the attack on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali on 20 November 2015. Anita was among at least 27 victims. This senseless tragedy serves as a reminder of the unwavering commitment and sacrifices of those working in the fight against HIV. Anita was a caring public health professional at Palladium, focused on family planning, female empowerment and...

Chris Beyrer, MD, MPH '91, will be installed as the first Desmond M. Tutu Professor in Public Health and Human Rights “FATHER, WE NEED YOUR HELP ON THIS ISSUE,” Chris Beyrer told his South African mentor and friend, Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It was 2010, and the Ugandan parliament was debating legislation that would increase criminal penalties for homosexuality, including life imprisonment. As Archbishop of Capetown, Tutu received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 for his fight against ...

Two-day meeting will bring greater attention to the science of TB and its implementation 22 October 2015 (Barcelona, Spain) – The International AIDS Society (IAS) announced that it will host “TB2016”, a two-day conference dedicated to highlighting new TB science and its importance for the future of global health. The conference will take place 16-17 July, 2016 in Durban, South Africa, immediately preceding the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016). The meeting is a unique partnershi...

The IAS expresses our deepest sadness at the passing of Joel Nana, the founding Executive Director of African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR). Joel, who passed away last week in Cameroun, was an active HIV advocate and champion. He dedicated his life to working on the frontlines of human rights and health for MSM and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. He stood up for injustices and helped shape the dialogue around homosexuality in Africa. His contribution to th...