World AIDS Conference in Munich

The 25th International AIDS Conference opened in Munich, Germany, with over 10,000 participants from around the world, including public health experts, activists, and government officials. The conference highlights significant advancements in HIV treatment and prevention, such as long-term remission cases and long-acting preventive injections, while emphasizing the urgent need for a people-centered approach in addressing HIV-related challenges. Despite progress, global targets for reducing new infections remain unmet, with 1.3 million new cases reported in 2023, well above the UNAIDS goal of 370,000. Experts warn that declining government funding, stigma against vulnerable populations, and misinformation threaten future progress in combating HIV/AIDS. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to open the conference, which aims to foster collaboration and share best practices in the fight against the virus. The event serves as a crucial platform to reassess strategies and mobilize resources to meet pressing health targets by 2030.