The biennial International AIDS Conference which is underway in Melbourne, Australia, is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policymakers, people living with HIV and others committed to ending the epidemic. 12,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries, including up to 1,000 journalists, are attending.

The start of the conference was overshadowed by the loss of six delegates who were passengers on the Malaysian aircraft that was shot down in Ukraine on 17th July. Tributes were paid at the opening session to those who lost their lives.

Under the theme of the conference ‘Stepping up the Pace’, delegates – including a number from Ireland – have the opportunity to discuss the latest research developments and hear about the status of the epidemic from world renowned experts. Among the high level speakers at the conference are President Bill Clinton, founder of the Clinton Foundation and 42nd President of the United States, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and artist and activist Sir Bob Geldof. The conference runs until Friday, 25 July.

Daily updates are available on the conference website: http://www.aids2014.org/