The STI & HIV World Congress is the leading global forum on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and sexual health. Jointly organized by the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research (ISSTDR) and the International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI), it convenes every two years to bridge cutting-edge science with policy, implementation, and community practice.
© 2025 STI & HIV 2025 World Congress
The 2025 Congress, held in Montréal, Canada, united more than 1,400 delegates from 120 countries under the theme “Sexual Health for All.” Its stated goals were to:1
- Advance multidisciplinary collaboration across research, clinical care, and policy.
- Promote equitable, inclusive, and evidence-based sexual-health interventions.
- Foster partnerships between scientists, governments, and communities to reduce the global burden of STIs and HIV.
Precision, people, and policy
Throughout the five-day programme, a unifying message resonated: innovation must be matched by delivery, equity, and human-centred design. The Congress highlighted self-testing strategies, peer-led clinics, digital platforms, and stigma-free approaches that place individuals, not pathogens, at the centre of prevention and care.
Jeanne Marrazzo (attending as a private citizen) summarized the mood succinctly: “Progress is possible, but only with clear-eyed urgency and coordinated commitment.”2
Key scientific highlights2,3,4,5
Doxycycline PEP
Trials of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) dominated discussion. While efficacy in MSM and transgender women was reaffirmed, recent data from cisgender women in Kenya showed no measurable benefit, underscoring the importance of population-specific approaches and behavioural context. The consensus: prevention tools must be guided by real-world diversity, not universal assumptions.
Vaccines and diagnostics
Findings emerged for gonorrhoea vaccine cross-protection via meningococcal B immunization, alongside progress in syphilis and chlamydia vaccine development. WHO also launched two new global STI guidance documents including frameworks for asymptomatic STI screening and service delivery in low-resource settings, supporting countries to implement integrated, equitable models of care.
Funding and implementation challenges
Despite scientific progress, sustained funding and service equity remain fragile. Between 2018 and 2023, global STI R&D funding rose 127% (US $96M → US $218M), but remains heavily dependent on US sources. Experts warned that reduced PEPFAR funding could jeopardize diagnostic access and treatment continuity, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia.
Key Takeaways from STI & HIV 2025 World Congress
© 2025 STI & HIV 2025 World Congress
- Tailor prevention: DoxyPEP efficacy varies – localized, data-driven implementation is essential.
- Prioritize equity: Vaccines, diagnostics, and self-testing must reach marginalised communities.
- Fund sustainably: Innovation requires consistent, diversified financing mechanisms.
- Integrate care: Align HIV and STI programmes with primary health systems.
- Empower communities: Address stigma, misinformation, and cultural barriers through participatory design.
What’s coming up: Future projects and meetings
The congress ended with a clear roadmap for the next phase of global STI and HIV research:
Clinical & implementation research
- Expansion of DoxyPEP trials in diverse settings and populations.
- Acceleration of multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) combining contraception, STI prevention, and HIV protection.
- Large-scale evaluation of AI-driven diagnostics, home-based self-testing, and real-time surveillance systems.
Vaccines and Therapeutics
- Upcoming phase III trials for gonorrhoea and herpes vaccine candidates.
- Renewed collaboration between the WHO Global Vaccine Alliance and national research bodies to establish STI-vaccine roadmaps by 2026.
Policy and global health priorities
- WHO’s follow-up initiative on sexual-health integration within universal health coverage (UHC).
- A new global taskforce exploring financing mechanisms such as health-impact bonds and regional STI funds.
Next congresses and forums
-
- STI & HIV 2027 World Congress – to be held in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India, from October 21 to 24, 2027. The theme for the 2027 Congress is “Evolving Challenges and Solutions”, reflecting the dynamic and complex landscape of sexually transmitted infections and HIV across the globe.
- IUSTI Prague 2026 – to be held in Prague, Czech Republic, from 14-17 October. The theme will focus on “Building Bridges, Breaking Barriers”, and shaping the future of STI & HIV prevention and care.
Watch and learn
Additional resources:
- STI & HIV 2025 Programme Overview: https://stihiv2025.org/program
- WHO at the Congress: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2025/07/26/default-calendar/who-at-the-sti-hiv-world-congress-2025
References
- STI & HIV 2025 World Congress. Congress goals. Available at: https://stihiv2025.org/congress-goals/ (Accessed 22 October 2025).
- STI & HIV 2025 World Congress. Programme overview. Available at: https://stihiv2025.org/program/ (Accessed 22 October 2025).
- World Health Organization. WHO expands guidance on sexually transmitted infections and reviews country progress. Available at: https://www.who.int/news/item/26-07-2025-who-expands-guidance-on-sexually-transmitted-infections-and-reviews-country-progress-on-policy-implementation (Accessed 22 October 2025).
- World Health Organization. WHO at the STI & HIV World Congress 2025. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2025/07/26/default-calendar/who-at-the-sti-hiv-world-congress-2025 (Accessed 22 October 2025).
- Youtube. STI & HIV 2025 World Congress by CATIE. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkC348-BeCu6seHc2XyaNEdERvD1Re4JC (accessed 23 October 2025).
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Views expressed within STI & HIV 2025 World Congress are the speaker’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Editor: Katey Gabrysch, Editorial Director.
Disclosures: This article has been created in collaboration with the STI & HIV World Congress. The content was developed and edited by human editors. No fees or funding were associated with its publication. touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES utilize AI as an editorial tool (ChatGPT (GPT-4o) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com/chat).
Cite: STI & HIV 2025 World Congress: Global progress, key trials and what’s next. touchINFECTIOUS DISEASES. 23 October 2025.
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