The conference’s central message—“Innovation without access is injustice”—was highlighted by Brazil’s Health Minister Alexandre Padilha, who stressed that new HIV prevention tools, long-acting treatments, and ongoing cure research will have limited impact if high costs, unequal access, and shrinking global health funding prevent millions from benefiting.
Delegates, researchers, activists, and policymakers also expressed concern over declining international HIV funding, warning that reductions in donor support and fragile healthcare systems could reverse decades of progress against HIV/AIDS. Speakers urged governments, pharmaceutical companies, and international partners to ensure affordable pricing, voluntary licensing, technology transfer, and rapid distribution of new HIV medicines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The conference comes as promising long-acting HIV prevention options, including twice-yearly injectable medicines and new oral PrEP candidates, continue to show encouraging results. However, experts emphasized that the success of these scientific advances will ultimately depend on political commitment, sustained investment, and equitable global access rather than innovation alone.
