Introduction
The International AIDS Conference, typically organized by the International AIDS Society, has always been a platform for learning, exposure, and collaboration for me. The AIDS 2024 Conference did not fall short of my expectations. With over 11,000 attendees, AIDS 2024 was the largest gathering in the world focused on HIV and AIDS. The event featured more than 40 oral abstract sessions, 50 invited-speaker sessions, 22 workshops, 100 satellite sessions, 2,200 posters, and 200 Global Village activities. The conference showcased exciting community-led innovations alongside scientific breakthroughs, highlighting the importance of equal access to the latest advances. Activists drew attention to urgent issues of access, and political leaders renewed their commitment to sustaining an effective HIV response. All these elements came together at AIDS 2024, leaving us stronger and full of hope.
The theme for this year’s conference, “Put People First,” emphasized a simple yet profound principle: The global HIV response must center around the needs, perspectives, and experiences of the people most affected.
What Does “Putting People First” Mean?
“Putting people first” means shifting the focus of the HIV response toward the lived experiences of those most impacted by the epidemic. Rather than viewing certain groups as “hard-to-reach populations,” we must recognize that it’s often the health services that are difficult to access. HIV services should be designed to meet the needs of individuals, especially those who are most vulnerable.
This approach ensures that HIV care, prevention, and treatment are flexible, empathetic, and responsive to the challenges faced by key populations such as young key populations, LGBTQ+ communities, people in low-resource settings, and individuals who use drugs. It also addresses the barriers—whether social, structural, or logistical—that prevent individuals from accessing services.
To end HIV as a public health threat and promote individual well-being, collaboration between research, healthcare, activism, and policy is essential. By putting people first, we can foster a more compassionate, person-centered approach to HIV care, ensuring that no one is left behind.
This mindset shift is crucial because there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the HIV epidemic. Tailoring responses to meet the needs of marginalized communities is key to achieving a world free of HIV.
My Role and Engagement
My first engagement was at the Munich Youth Force pre-conference, where I participated in the session titled Harnessing PoP: “The Power of Partnerships.” I had the opportunity to engage in a role play during a unique panel discussion with a high-level official from the WHO. I played the role of a young leader, seeking to partner with the WHO on reducing HIV stigma in communities. The role play was highly commended, as the dialogue felt authentic and deeply relatable to young key populations.
My second engagement took place at the Global Village, where we held a gamified session titled The Queen, Candies, the Prison, and the People. Through this game, we explored structural barriers in the HIV response and conducted a Nominal Group Technique session. I also delivered a TED-style talk on the Munich Youth Force Stage, where I shared the story of Danjuma, illustrating the devastating impact of drug policy on young people’s futures.
As a two-time IAS Young Leader, I had the privilege of speaking with the new cohort of IAS Young Leaders, sharing insights on how to maximize their program experience by building horizontal networks.
Additionally, I was invited by Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) to speak on Innovating to Address Stigma, where I shared lessons from my Knowledge Action Hub project, which serves young key populations in refugee settlements in Nigeria. I also discussed how our online harm reduction service provision project could potentially bypass stigma for young people who use drugs. At a session titled Advocacy in the Digital Age, I shared best practices from the #YouthsUnmuted campaign I led during the Global Fund’s 7th Replenishment. Lastly, I presented my research abstract on Rethinking HIV Prevention Among Refugees: A Case Study from West Africa’s Largest Settlement.
Personal Reflections
It was inspiring to witness the presence of harm reduction and drug policy reform advocates at the conference. The International Drug Policy Consortium had a booth focused on the Support. Don’t Punish campaign. I also attended some sessions on #ChemSex and sexualized drug use, where I learned about the concept of chemical intimacy.
Some groundbreaking research was also shared at the conference. One of the most impressive was the efficacy of the Lenacapavir drug by Gilead Pharmaceuticals, which has the potential to prevent HIV infection. However, its current cost of over $40,000 USD per year sparked concern. Studies at the conference suggested that if pharmaceutical companies prioritized people over profits, the drug could be available for as low as $40 USD per year. Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, stressed that the AIDS response must be fully resourced and that developing countries should be freed from crippling debts. She called on Gilead to act on making Lenacapavir accessible to all low- and middle-income countries. We had some series of peaceful protest at the conference calling on Gilead to break the patent on the HIV drug.
A particularly memorable moment was attending a session featuring three of the seven people who have been cured of HIV. One of these individuals attended my session on Innovating to Address Stigma and shared his experience of being stigmatized by the HIV community after being cured, underscoring the need for interventions to evolve as stigma does.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AIDS 2024 reaffirmed the importance of putting people at the heart of the global HIV response. From scientific breakthroughs to community-led innovations, the conference highlighted that true progress is made when the needs of individuals, particularly the most marginalized, are prioritized. Moving forward, I am committed to applying these insights to my work, ensuring that the HIV response remains inclusive, accessible, and compassionate. We must continue to advocate for equitable access to healthcare, fight stigma in all its forms, and work collaboratively to end the HIV epidemic.