The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) will participate in the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026), to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 26–31, with a strong focus on accelerating HIV elimination efforts in the Americas and expanding access to innovations that are transforming HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa will participate in the opening session of AIDS 2026 and in several high-level events on HIV, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, innovation, and access to new health technologies. His participation will highlight how countries across the Americas can leverage scientific advances, primary health care, regional cooperation, and community engagement to advance toward ending HIV as a public health threat.

The conference comes at a pivotal moment for the global HIV response. Today, the Region has unprecedented tools to prevent, diagnose, and treat HIV, including new pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) options, rapid tests, HIV self-testing, highly effective antiretroviral therapies, and community-based service delivery models.

However, significant gaps remain: approximately 34% of new HIV diagnoses in Latin America and the Caribbean are made at a late stage of infection, while hundreds of thousands of people who know their HIV status still do not have access to treatment due to barriers to care, stigma, and inequalities.

Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean finance more than 90% of HIV investments through domestic resources, making the Region a global leader in the sustainable financing of the HIV response. At the same time, PAHO warns that continued investment will be needed to ensure that innovations reach those who need them most.

One of PAHO's main priorities during AIDS 2026 will be promoting the Alliance for the Elimination of HIV in the Americas, a regional platform designed to accelerate early diagnosis, expand access to PrEP, optimize antiretroviral treatment, and strengthen collaboration among governments, communities, international organizations, academia, technical partners, and the private sector.

Media opportunities

PAHO will make available:

• Interviews with Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director.
• Interviews with PAHO regional experts on HIV, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted infections.
• Updated information on progress and remaining gaps in the HIV response in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Data and context on late HIV diagnosis, advanced HIV disease, PrEP, viral hepatitis, tuberculosis, and health innovation.
• Photos and communications materials from key PAHO activities during AIDS 2026.

Key PAHO/WHO high-level events at AIDS 2026
Monday, July 27
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Honorary doctorate ceremony for Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Location: Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will receive an Honorary Doctorate from Fiocruz in recognition of his contributions to global health. PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa will participate alongside Brazil's Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, and other public health leaders from across the Region.

Monday, July 27
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Satellite session: “Making HIV Elimination in the Americas a Reality: Leadership, Evidence, and Action”
Location: Riocentro, Room 204

Organized by PAHO, this session will bring together political leaders, international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector to discuss how to accelerate progress against HIV in the Americas. The event will highlight the role of political leadership, scientific evidence, regional cooperation, public-private partnerships, and equitable access to innovation.

During the session, PAHO will promote the Alliance for the Elimination of HIV in the Americas, a regional platform designed to accelerate progress toward 2030 through political leadership, innovation, cooperation, and sustainable financing. The event will also serve as the public launch of this regional initiative.

Expected participants include PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa; Brazil's Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha; UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima; Uruguay's Minister of Health Cristina Lustemberg; and representatives from governments, civil society, international organizations, and the private sector.

Monday, July 27
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Satellite session: “The Last Mile to Elimination: Reducing Mortality from Advanced HIV Disease”
Location: Riocentro, room to be confirmed

Organized by PAHO, this session will address one of the most urgent challenges facing the HIV response in Latin America and the Caribbean: mortality associated with advanced HIV disease.

Despite significant advances in prevention and treatment, late diagnosis, delayed antiretroviral treatment initiation, and challenges in retaining people in care continue to contribute to preventable deaths across the Region.

The session will bring together health authorities, experts, international organizations, academics, and civil society representatives to review successful experiences and discuss strategies to improve early diagnosis, expand access to essential testing and treatment, and advance toward the goal of zero AIDS-related deaths by 2030.

Monday, July 27
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
AIDS 2026 Opening Session
Location: Riocentro

The opening session will bring together some of the world's leading voices in the HIV response, including WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, leaders of the International AIDS Society (IAS), and Brazilian authorities, including Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha.

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa will highlight the role of the Americas in advancing policy innovation, scientific progress, and regional cooperation to accelerate HIV elimination efforts.

Tuesday, July 28
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
World Hepatitis Day 2026 Commemoration
Location: Riocentro, Room 102B

PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa will participate in the event “Hepatitis: Let’s Break Down the Barriers,” organized by the Government of Brazil and WHO.

The session will include WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Brazil's Minister of Health Alexandre Padilha, ministers of health from several countries, and leaders of international organizations. The event aims to mobilize political leadership and accelerate progress toward eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030.

Tuesday, July 28
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
WHO Session: “Integrated and Sustainable Responses to HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, and STIs Towards 2030 and Beyond”
Location: Riocentro, Room 202

Dr. Barbosa will share lessons from the Americas on disease elimination, people-centered integrated services, primary health care, and equitable access to innovation.

The presentation will highlight regional experiences integrating HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infection services, as well as progress toward eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B.

Tuesday, July 28
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
High-Level Meeting: “TB Vaccines, HIV Communities, and Innovation with Access from the Start”
Location: Instituto Cervantes, Rio de Janeiro

The PAHO Director will participate in a high-level meeting supported by the Government of Spain and Salud por Derecho, focused on future tuberculosis vaccines, equitable access, and engagement of HIV communities.

In addition to these events, the PAHO Director will hold bilateral meetings with health authorities, civil society representatives, international organizations, and strategic partners to strengthen regional cooperation on HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis.

Key facts

• Since 2022, the number of new HIV infections in Latin America and the Caribbean has remained stable at approximately 150,000 cases per year.
   
• Between 2010 and 2025, new HIV infections increased by 17% in Latin America and the Caribbean, including a 25% increase in Latin America. 
   
• AIDS-related deaths in Latin America and the Caribbean fell by 46% between 2010 and 2025, declining from 60,000 to 32,000 annually.
   
• Approximately 34% of new HIV diagnoses in Latin America and the Caribbean are still made at a late stage, increasing the risk of advanced HIV disease and opportunistic infections.
   
• More than 326,000 people were receiving PrEP in 2025, compared with 35,000 in 2020.
   
• Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean finance 92% of HIV investments through domestic resources.
   
• More than 5,000 HIV infections among children were averted in 2025 through efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV in the Region.

Media contacts

In Rio de Janeiro: Luís Felipe Sardenberg / +55 61 992747195 / comunicacao@paho.org 

In Washington, D.C.: Sebastian Oliel / Ashley Baldwin / mediateam@paho.org

In Geneva: WHO Media Team / mediainquiries@who.int