CROI 2026 Conference Opens: Science, Politics, and 30 Years Searching for a Cure

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) opened on February 22, 2026, in Denver (Colorado, USA). The event is being held in a hybrid format, combining in-person participation at the Colorado Convention Center with remote access for international delegates.

The opening set the main tone for the conference — this will be an intensive dialogue about the future of HIV treatment and prevention, as well as defending scientific research in a changing political environment.

The Life4me+ team, as always, is present at CROI and is covering the main news.

More than 3000 scientists, clinicians, and activists from 65 countries are taking part in the conference. Notably, 22% of them are attending CROI for the first time.

This year, the organizers accepted 958 general abstracts out of 1594 submissions. The program includes 98 oral presentations and 930 poster sessions. Also this year, CROI introduced structural changes, including the elimination of daily press conferences.

Opening Plenary Session

The opening plenary session was devoted to three fundamental directions that define the modern agenda.

• 30 Years on the Path to an HIV Cure

Professor Sharon Lewin from the University of Melbourne reminded the audience that scientists have been searching for a way to completely cure HIV for 30 years. Despite enormous progress in understanding viral reservoirs and immune control, she said, finding a final solution to the problem requires long-term investment and international cooperation.

• Science Under Political Pressure

Activist Peter Staley raised an important issue: science increasingly faces political pressure. He called for renewed resistance and efforts aimed at protecting policy based on factual evidence.

• Prevention as Partnership

Representing the South African Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, Linda-Gail Bekker spoke about prevention. In her view, medications are only half of success — the other half is trust and respect for the people we want to help.

Lifetime Achievement Award

But the most touching moment was the presentation of the first-ever CROI Lifetime Achievement Award. It was given to Carl Dieffenbach for his leadership as Director of DAIDS and for being “a kind, tireless, compassionate, often underappreciated champion.”

In his acceptance speech, he said something important:

“HIV will not disappear if it is brought under control in only one country.”

And that means the work to fight the epidemic continues.