AIDS 2026: Complete guide for civil society
Gestos is part of the program committee of AIDS 2026, the 26th edition of the International AIDS Conference, and has officially taken on the commitment to mobilize civil society in Latin America and the Caribbean for the event.
To support and facilitate access to information of interest to the region’s third sector, Gestos has prepared this complete guide in three languages (Portuguese, Spanish, and English).
Here you will find everything you need to know about AIDS 2026 in a direct and concise way.
Guide menu:
- What is AIDS 2026
- Why participate
- Informational sessions
- Mini grant call for activists and organizations in Brazil
- Main themes of AIDS 2026
- The spaces of AIDS 2026
- How to register
- How to participate in the volunteer program
- Mapping of approved works
AIDS 2026 is the world’s leading event dedicated to scientific, political, and social discussions on HIV and AIDS. This year, in its 26th edition, the conference — organized every two years by the International AIDS Society (IAS) — will take place from July 26 to 31. For the first time, Brazil will host the event, which will be held in Rio de Janeiro at the Riocentro Convention and Exhibition Center.
The event brings together:
- researchers
- healthcare professionals
- public administrators
- companies
- funders
- public policymakers
- civil society organizations
- activists
- people living with HIV
- media representatives from different countries
AIDS 2026 is a private conference that serves as a global platform for political coordination, where the future directions of the international HIV response are discussed. The event also provides a stage for the release of new scientific evidence, public policy recommendations, and international commitments aimed at ending HIV and AIDS as threats to public health.
The presence of civil society at AIDS 2026 will be essential to promote social participation and dialogue around discussions on public health, funding, and human rights. As the world’s largest and most important platform for knowledge exchange on the subject, it is a space that shapes the global discussion and the paths toward overcoming HIV and AIDS, while also providing an opportunity to connect and build networks with activists from around the world.
Without the voice of civil society, people living with HIV and AIDS, and key populations, the responses will not reflect our realities.
Always with interpretation into Portuguese, Spanish, or English, Gestos is organizing a series of eight informational and civil society mobilization sessions about AIDS 2026.
The meetings are held online, always on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. Brasília time. To access the links, follow Gestos on Instagram (@gestospe).
Check out the full schedule:
- 11/17/2025: strengthening networks, aligning strategies, and amplifying voices from the region
- 12/09/2025: submission deadlines and what we expect from AIDS 2026
- 01/15/2026: deadlines, regional thematic priorities, and Q&A session
- 04/22/2026: volunteering, mapping approved submissions, and participation strategies
- 05/12/2026: activism, public demonstrations during AIDS 2026, and parallel activities
- 06/02/2026: coordination follow-up and organization of the public demonstration
- 06/30/2026: information on logistics, harm reduction, and transportation recommendations
- 07/14/2026: mobilization for the Global Village, parallel activities, and public demonstrations
With the goal of expanding access, meaningful participation, and the visibility of communities from Brazil at AIDS 2026, the mini-grant call will select seven representatives from Brazilian civil society working on HIV/AIDS and its intersections.
Check out the main information:
- the mini-grant call will provide conference registration and airfare;
- important: the mini-grant call will not cover accommodation, meals, or other expenses;
- residents of Rio de Janeiro will receive a stipend of R$1,000 for local transportation;
- applications are open from May 4 to May 15 (until 11:59 p.m.) through an online form.
Access the full call for applications, including the registration link, here.
With the central theme “Rethink, Rebuild, Rise” AIDS 2026 will take place at a crucial moment, as several pillars that have supported the global HIV response over the past decades are simultaneously under pressure. This is happening across different dimensions — financial, institutional, geopolitical, and social — creating a scenario of uncertainty and risk of setbacks after decades of progress.
The world is facing challenges such as reduced funding, the weakening of multilateral institutions, inequalities in access to healthcare, and the persistence of stigma and discrimination.
Main physical spaces:
- Sessions and workshops pavilion
- Registration, exhibition, and food pavilion
- Global Village + Youth Force pavilion (open to the public)
Types of activities in the Global Village:
(a space led by communities)
- sessions
- workshops
- NGO booths
- sales booths (only for NGOs aiming to raise funds for a specific project)
- networking zones
- art exhibitions
- films (up to 60 minutes)
- stage activities: theater performances, musical performances, stand-up comedy, and others
Conference tracks:
(thematic streams that organize the sessions and presentations)
- Track A – Basic Science
- Track B – Clinical Science
- Track C – Epidemiology and Prevention
- Track D – Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Track E – Implementation Science, Economics, Systems, and Synergies
- Track F – Political Science, Laws, Policies, Ethics, and Human Rights
Workshop categories (focus areas or main target audience):
- Communities (civil society, people living with HIV/AIDS, key populations)
- Leadership (governments, industry, funding agencies)
- Science (academic research)
Important: all activities, including those in the Global Village, must communicate science related to HIV and its intersections.
Check the step-by-step instructions and information about registration fees:
- access the registration page (registration can be completed individually or as a group);
- when clicking “Register Now,” you will need to fill out a form with your personal information. This information will be used to create an exclusive account (registration will only be possible after creating this account);
- once your account is created, you will be able to login;
- we recommend paying close attention to the fee amounts when registering;
- AIDS 2026 has a four-tier fee structure, with different rates according to upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income, and low-income countries;
- participants are responsible for checking Brazil’s visa requirements and applying for a visa if necessary;
- for more information, visit the Immigration page and the Visa Frequently Asked Questions page.
The deadline for registration with the standard fee is May 7.
To register as a student/postdoctoral researcher, you must:
- be at least 18 years old;
- provide proof of full-time enrollment at a recognized university or college at the time of registration and during AIDS 2026.
To register as a young participant, you must:
- be between 18 and 25 years old on the date of the conference and provide proof of age (an official identification document showing your age).
It is also possible to attend AIDS 2026 virtually. Online registration provides access to all sessions, satellite sessions, and pre-conferences that will be livestreamed on the platform. The sessions will remain available as recordings.
Through the volunteer program, you can also be part of AIDS 2026. This is an opportunity to experience the conference from the inside, supporting, learning, and exchanging experiences with people from around the world.
With a fundamental role in making everything happen, volunteers are responsible for:
- supporting the organization of activities;
- welcoming participants;
- assisting with registration and accreditation;
- guiding attendees;
- working in different areas of the conference.
As a volunteer, you are entitled to:
- free access to AIDS 2026 sessions and activities (outside your assigned shift);
- lunch on working days;
- a certificate of participation;
- one year of membership with the International AIDS Society (does not include access to other conferences during this period).
To apply, you must:
- be 18 years old or older;
- be available for four shifts (on consecutive days);
- participate in the training session (July 25);
- be able to communicate in English.
Volunteer positions are limited, and applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
When applying through the Volunteer Program, make sure you have:
- an ID document or passport;
- a digital photo;
- a summary of your skills;
- a short text explaining your motivation.
If you have previously participated as a volunteer, you may apply for a supervisory role.
Before applying, it is important to be aware that:
- travel, accommodation, and visa costs are your responsibility;
- the Invitation Letter is only provided to selected volunteers;
- priority is given to people living in Brazil.
Gestos is looking for civil society organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean whose work has been accepted for AIDS 2026. The goal is to map and promote third-sector projects — including studies, workshops, and various other activities — selected for the world’s largest gathering on HIV/AIDS.
The mapping process will be carried out through the completion of an online form, which can be accessed through this link until May 15. The map will later be made available in an organized and searchable version. Simply fill in some information about your organization and your approved project(s), and you will already be part of the initiative.
Based on this survey, civil society organizations will be able to engage in dialogue and collaborate with one another to strengthen the sector’s active participation in AIDS 2026.
If you still have any questions, please write to: aids2026@gestos.org.br.