MEDIA ADVISORY
DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH DR JOE PHAAHLA TO LEAD TEAM SOUTH AFRICA AT THE 26TH INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE IN BRAZIL
PRETORIA, Sunday, 26 July 2026 – Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, will lead Team South Africa at the 26th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2026), taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and virtually from 26 to 31 July 2026.
Held under the theme “Rethink. Rebuild. Rise.”, the conference comes at a pivotal moment for the global HIV response as the world moves closer to achieving the goals of Agenda 2030. Taking place against the backdrop of an unprecedented funding crisis and significant cuts to HIV programme funding, this world’s largest gathering on HIV and AIDS will bring together people living with HIV, researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, funders, media representatives, and communities to shape the future of the HIV response.
South Africa has an exhibition stand at the conference coordinated by the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), the National Department of Health (NDoH) and Brand South Africa. The exhibition showcases the country’s comprehensive, evidence-based and multisectoral response to HIV, TB and related public health challenges. It highlights key achievements in HIV prevention, including the national rollout of Lenacapavir, combination prevention and the prevention of vertical transmission, alongside progress towards achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets through differentiated, people-centred HIV treatment services. The exhibition also demonstrates South Africa’s strengthened TB recovery efforts, integrated cervical cancer elimination strategy, and the collective leadership of government, civil society and the private sector under the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC).
For conference updates and media interviews, please contact Mr. Nelson Dlamini on 078 731 0313 or nelson@sanac.org.za.
To track conference proceedings on social media, please use the hashtags: #AIDS2026 #RethinkRebuildRise #TeamSouthAfrica
Issued jointly by SANAC and NDoH