IUSTI 2024 Welcome Message 

The International Union Against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) is a global organization which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. IUSTI is committed to the prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to the advancement of sexual health on a worldwide scale. With a diverse membership comprising healthcare providers, medical experts, researchers, policymakers, and community advocates, IUSTI serves as a hub for collaborative efforts that acknowledge the complex interplay between health/medical knowledge and social determinants. IUSTI activities include organising, in alternate years, the IUSTI World Congress in partnership with the International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research, and international regional conferences, bringing together professionals from around the world to share research findings, exchange knowledge, and devise effective strategies for STI prevention and management. In addition to engaging in research to deepen our understanding of STI biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and the social, cultural, and behavioural factors influencing disease transmission, IUSTI members both produce and work with others to facilitate the development of evidence-based guidelines for healthcare providers and champion the implementation of comprehensive sexual health education. Through these initiatives, and by fostering associations with various international STI-focused organizations, IUSTI seeks to reduce the global burden of STIs and to advance a holistic approach to sexual health that encompasses both medical and social dimensions.

This will be the third time the IUSTI World Congress will have been held in the Oceania region following the Congress in Melbourne (2012) and Brisbane (2015). This Congress will also incorporate the Australasian Sexual & Reproductive Health Conference. The Congress theme, “Commitment to sexual/reproductive health and human rights”, will enable attendees to have in-depth discussions on strategies and commitments to work toward equality and rights in sexual and reproductive health.

Sydney is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, making it an inclusive destination where all delegates will feel at home. Sydney is also a focal point for world-class medical research, providing opportunities for speakers and delegates to organise meetings, visits, tours, and educational programs outside the conference. The conference venue, ICC Sydney, is located in the Darling Harbour with spectacular city views; it is also not far away from Sydney’s iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House, and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Please register for the Congress and there is an early-bird discount for those who register for the Congress before May 19, 2024. IUSTI, ASHM and ASHM-affiliate members also receive discounts on their registrations. The preliminary Congress details can be found at https://www.iusti2024sydney.org/.  

We look forward to meeting you all in Sydney.

"An interpretation of the layers of occupation of First Nations People (Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung Naions) and their symbiotic relationship with flora and fauna on the mighty Clarence River"
Artwork: "Bindarray" - River by Deborah Taylor