Words of Welcome from the Co-Chairs

Dear Colleagues,

It is with a great pleasure that we invite you to take part in the 8th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2015), on 19-22 July 2015 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This biennial forum is the largest open scientific conference on HIV/AIDS related issues and is expected to gather some 6,000 delegates from across the globe.

IAS 2015 will be a unique opportunity for all those involved in the global response to HIV, including scientists, clinicians, public health experts, community leaders, and media professionals, to meet and examine the latest scientific developments in HIV-related research, and explore how such developments can be realistically applied in implementation programmes.

In the upcoming months we will work on building a strong scientific programme. As was the case in previous editions of the IAS conference, the programme will include ground-breaking presentations from top investigators covering the four conference tracks: Basic Sciences; Clinical Sciences; Prevention Science; and Operations and Implementation Research. In addition, a wide range of dynamic activities, such as workshops, ‘meet the expert’ sessions and symposia sessions will provide participants with opportunities to network, share best practice and present their studies in front of thousands of delegates and media representatives from around the world.

Canada has a long history of leadership in HIV research, particularly in the implementation of prevention strategies and in research surrounding antiretroviral therapy. We are confident that IAS 2015 delegates will benefit from hearing successes and challenges specific to this country which has an evidence-based approach to HIV based on human rights and gender equality.

IAS 2015 is organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS), in partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Division of AIDS, based at St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care. The Division was created in 2007 to bring together, enhance and expand the research, training, service delivery and administration that have evolved over the last two decades within the UBC Department of Medicine and Providence Health Care.

In the months ahead, we encourage you to learn more about the IAS 2015 scientific programme, and to get involved in this landmark event by developing and submitting abstracts, and making plans to join us in Vancouver.

Conference Overview

The 8th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2015) will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre on 19-22 July 2015 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This biennial forum is the largest open scientific conference on HIV/AIDS related issues and is expected to gather some 6,000 delegates from across the globe.

IAS 2015 will be a unique opportunity for all those involved in the global response to HIV, including scientists, clinicians, public health experts, community leaders, and media professionals, to meet and examine the latest scientific developments in HIV-related research, and explore how such developments can be realistically applied in implementation programmes.

IAS 2015 is organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS), in partnership with the University of British Columbia(UBC) Division of AIDS, based at St. Paul’s Hospital, Providence Health Care. The Division was created in 2007 to bring together, enhance and expand the research, training, service delivery and administration that have evolved over the last two decades within the UBC Department of Medicine and Providence Health Care.

All invited plenary speakers are confirmed, among them Ambassador Deborah Birx (USA), Fábio Mesquita (Brazil), Glenda Gray (South Africa), Roy M. Gulick (USA), and Francois Venter (South Africa). Topics of non-abstract driven sessions range from “Bioinformatics Bootcamp”, and “Shock and Kill Approaches for Latency Reactivation” to “Structural Interventions for Key Populations” and “HIV and HCV Prevention for People Who Use Drugs”.