22nd International AIDS Conference
Amsterdam, Netherlands | 23-27 July 2018

Session types

  • Invited speaker sessions
  • Abstract sessions
  • Satellite symposia

In addition to abstract sessions, the conference offers invited speaker sessions that address a variety of current viewpoints and issues. The format and focus of these sessions vary.

Plenary sessions

The daily plenary brings all conference delegates together at the first session of every morning and features some of the world’s most distinguished HIV scientists, policy specialists and community leaders.

Special sessions

Special sessions are 60-minute lunchtime sessions and feature presentations by some of the world’s key leaders in research and implementation, high-level leaders from the political sphere, international ambassadors for HIV and AIDS, and policy specialists. These sessions represent key moments during the conference and provide an opportunity for high-level speakers to give unique insights into the HIV response and their field of work.

Bridging sessions

Bridging sessions connect the three programme components (science, community and leadership) and provide an opportunity for multi-disciplinary, multi-perspective dialogues on cutting-edge topics of common interest. Through interactive formats, speakers share knowledge and perspectives on the particular issue selected, and they highlight linkages and synergies between different areas of expertise.

Symposia sessions

Symposia sessions address critical issues that defy simple solutions. Focusing on a single, clearly defined topic or issue, speakers and delegates share experiences, contribute relevant research findings, and brainstorm ideas to identify possible ways forward. Sessions also report on new results, and announce forthcoming research and new initiatives.

Rapporteur summary session

A rapporteur summary session is held immediately before the closing session. The lead rapporteurs synthesize the highlights of the week, focusing on important results presented and key recommendations put forward. In addition, rapporteur teams publish daily reports and session summaries on the conference website and the online programme.

The abstract-driven component of the conference programme offers the highest calibre of state-of-the-art knowledge and peer-reviewed research. Abstract driven sessions are either specific to one of the five tracks (A-E), or composed of abstracts from different tracks that focus on one theme.

Submitted abstracts go through a blind peer-review process, carried out by a panel of international reviewers who are selected by members of the Scientific Programme Committee (SPC). Abstracts will be presented by scientists, activists, policy makers, people living with HIV and others working in the field.

All abstracts selected for oral presentation will be published as a supplement of the Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS), which will be indexed in Pubmed, Medline and Google scholar, among others.

JIAS is an open-access journal that creates a platform for the dissemination of essential and innovative HIV and AIDS research. With an impact factor of 6.296 *, it ranks among the Top 10 of infectious diseases journals and the Top 25 immunology journals.

*2016 Journal Citation Reports® Science Edition – a Clarivate product.

Abstract session types

  • Oral abstract sessions are organized into themes that address new developments in each of the five scientific tracks, or they focus on a topic that crosses various tracks. These are 90-minute sessions that consist of five to six 10-minute oral presentations, each followed by a five-minute question and answer session. An interactive moderated discussion, facilitated by the co-chairs, is held at the end of the session, time permitting.
  • Poster discussion sessions, held daily from 13:00 to 14:00, consist of four to six five-minute oral presentations. An interactive moderated discussion, facilitated by the co-chairs, is held at the end of the session. Abstracts discussed at these sessions are on display for the duration of the conference outside the session room.
  • The poster exhibition includes approximately 1,500 posters. It is organized by track and covers a wide variety of topics. Each poster is displayed for one day and presenters stand by their posters at scheduled times to answer questions and provide further information on their study results.

Satellite symposia take place in the conference centre, but are arranged and coordinated by the organization hosting the satellite. Satellite symposia are available for a fee, based on the room capacity and time slot. Conference organizers review the content of each symposium to ensure that it meets the scientific and ethical principles of the conference, and allocate slots based on the overall conference programme.

Submissions for satellite symposia open on 1 December 2017.