The 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) is being held Monday, July 18, to Friday, July 22, in Durban, South Africa, where it brings together researchers and advocates from across the globe.

This year’s theme, “Access Equity Rights Now,” focuses on getting HIV prevention, treatment and care to those who lack it, notably because of discrimination and violations of human rights. Key populations include women and girls, transgender people, sex workers, young people and men who have sex with men (MSM). According to AIDS 2016, more than 60 percent of people living with the virus are not taking HIV meds.

In its media kit, the conference lists the following five goals:

  • Bringing together the world’s experts to advance knowledge about HIV, present new research findings, and promote and enhance scientific and community collaborations around the world;
  • Promoting HIV responses that are supported by and tailored to the needs of at risk populations or people living with HIV, including women and girls, men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, young people, and people who use drugs;
  • Promoting activism and community mobilization that holds leaders, industry, and governments accountable and increases their commitment to an evidence-based, human-rights-affirming HIV and AIDS response;
  • Advancing a clear agenda for HIV in a post-2015 framework, including the cross-cutting issues of criminalization, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, rights, and stigma and discrimination that keep people living with HIV at the center of the HIV response;
  • Building innovative partnerships with businesses, community, government, and science to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment efforts.

The International AIDS Conference, which is held every other year at different locations across the globe, brings together researchers and advocates. The conference is organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS), an association of HIV professionals from more than 180 countries. For AIDS 2016, IAS partners with the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO), the International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW Global), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and a selection of non-permanent partners.

Visit AIDS2016.org for details about the conference program, to read highlights from scientific research, to check out photo galleries and much more.

You can read POZ’s coverage on AIDS 2016 here. You can also follow news and discussions via social media using #AIDS2016, @AIDS_conference and @iasociety, and you can visit AIDS2016’s YouTube channel for videos and other content. Watch the latest video, “South Africa Grandmothers Gathering March,” below: