The 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) took place in Amsterdam from July 23 to 27. With 16,000 stakeholders in attendance and more than 160 countries represented, the event included presentations, panel discussions, community and business booths and, yes, the occasional protest. AIDS 2018 showcased the latest in HIV science (further evidence that treatment as prevention works!), policy (the movement to end the criminalization of HIV is gaining steam) and funding (declines in donations threaten decades of progress).

This year, HIV-negative allies with boldface names, like Charlize Theron and Prince Harry, shared the spotlight with HIV-positive youth activists, including Mercy Ngulube of the Children’s HIV Association and Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation ambassador Josephine Nabukenya, in an acknowledgement that worldwide, adolescents are at high risk of contracting HIV—especially in Africa.

And never far from the fray, POZ pals and HIV crusaders from Positive Women’s Network–USA, AIDS United, the Treatment Action Group and more reminded the global crowd that despite our current political climate, the United States continues to fight the epidemic.