Leading HIV Researcher Peter Reiss to Chair 22nd International AIDS Conference

Geneva, Switzerland – Today the International AIDS Society (IAS) announced the appointment of Peter Reiss, MD, PHD as Local Co-Chair of the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018). The conference will take place in Amsterdam, the Netherlands from 22 to 28 July 2018.

“I am deeply honoured to serve as the Local Co-Chair for AIDS 2018,” said Peter Reiss. “The International AIDS Conference has an unrivalled legacy of achievement and leadership in shaping the global response to the AIDS epidemic at each conference.”

Reiss is a Professor of Medicine and holds joint appointments in the Department of Global Health and the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam, and also serves as the director of the Netherlands HIV Monitoring Foundation. He currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Boards of the Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le Sida and les hepatitis virales (ANRS) and on the Steering Committees of various European HIV cohort collaborations.

“Today, there are an estimated 37 million people living with HIV globally, yet only 15 million are receiving treatment,” continued Reiss. “The Netherlands has been a strong leader in HIV research, and in improving treatment access and HIV prevention for vulnerable populations. I am delighted to work together with all stakeholders to host a landmark conference in Amsterdam.”

“The unique expertise that Peter brings as a world renowned HIV researcher is matched only by his dedication and leadership,” commented Chris Beyrer, President of IAS. “We are thrilled to have him at the helm for AIDS 2018.”

Reiss is also the immediate past President of the European AIDS Clinical Society and, until 2014, he served as the European and Central Asia regional representative on the Governing Council and Executive Committee of the IAS. His current research focuses primarily on the complications of HIV and HIV treatment, and more specifically in relation to ageing.

“Hosting AIDS 2018 in Amsterdam will be an historic event,” said Linda-Gail Bekker, President-Elect of IAS and AIDS 2018 International Co-Chair. “The Netherlands has played a leading international role in the fight against AIDS since the start of the epidemic, particularly in prevention strategies that target key populations. Peter’s work has been at the forefront of these efforts and I am delighted to work alongside of him to advance these critical issues forward at AIDS 2018.”

Held every two years, the International AIDS Conference is the premier international gathering where all stakeholders in the global response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic meet to discuss progress and future priorities.
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About the International AIDS Society (IAS)
Founded in 1988, the International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world’s largest association of HIV professionals, with members from more than 180 countries working on all fronts of the global AIDS response. Together, we advocate and drive urgent action to reduce the global impact of HIV. The IAS is also the steward of the world’s two most prestigious HIV conferences – the International AIDS Conference and the IAS Conference on HIV Science. For more information visit www.iasociety.org

About the International AIDS Conference
The AIDS Conference is the largest conference on any global health or development issue. First convened during the peak of the AIDS epidemic in 1985, this conference continues to provide a unique forum for the intersection of science and advocacy, and an opportunity to strengthen policies and programmes to ensure an evidence-based response to the epidemic.  The 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) will be held on 22-28 July 2018 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands at the Amsterdam RAI and is expected to bring together some 18,000 participants from around the world.

Contacts:
Mandy Sugrue
Senior Manager, Communications, IAS
Mandy.Sugrue@iasociety.org

Laurens Pels
Communications, Joep Lange Institute
l.pels@joeplangeinstitute.org
www.iasociety.org