GENERAL INFORMATION

The XXXI International HIV Drug Resistance and Treatment Strategies Workshop is an open workshop, with limited attendance capacity.

All individuals interested in attending this Workshop are encouraged to submit an abstract application prior to the deadline of Sunday, 1 June 2025. 

All abstract applications will be acknowledged, but this acknowledgment does not represent a confirmation of acceptance. Applications sent via e-mail cannot be accepted. Abstract authors will be notified by 17 June 2025 of the status of their submission.

The Workshop is the premier forum addressing the growing challenge of resistance to antiretrovirals, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Leading laboratory scientists, clinical investigators, epidemiologists, programme directors and other stakeholders will present and discuss the latest findings on HIV drug resistance and its implications particularly for LMIC.

The Workshop programme will consist of educational sessions, invited plenary presentations and abstract-driven oral and poster sessions.

While abstracts relating to HIV drug resistance from all settings are encouraged, the scientific committee is especially interested in abstracts that address issues for LMIC.

VENUE INFORMATION

The Workshop will be held in Cape Town, South Africa:

Lord Charles Hotel
Corner Main Road (M9) & Broadway Boulevard, R44, Somerset West, Cape Town, 7130

Telephone: 0027 21 879 7000
Website: https://lordcharleshotel.com/

SCHOLARSHIP FUND

A limited number of registration scholarships are available for individuals who are submitting an abstract to the International Workshop on HIV Drug Resistance and Treatment Strategies and who also qualify for one (or more) of the following eligibility criteria:

  • Selected individuals from LMIC
  • Young scientists, age limit of 35 for eligibility
  • Community representatives

Process to apply for scholarship:

  • You must provide a letter from your mentor/supervisor indicating your need for a scholarship
  • This information must be emailed to janice@sahivcs.org
  • The closing date for scholarship applications is Monday, 23 June 2025.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
The Workshop will be conducted in English. No simultaneous translation will be provided.

TIME ZONE
Central European Time (GMT+2 hours)

VISA REQUIREMENTS

For the majority of foreign nationals who travel to South Africa, entry is straightforward and hassle-free. All visitors must be in possession of a valid passport in order to enter the country and in some cases, a visa. To determine whether you require a visa to enter South Africa, visit the comprehensive South African Home Affairs Department.

Read more:

The Workshop will not be responsible for any cancellations or delays caused by authorities due to a lack of Visa or other required documentation.

LETTER OF INVITATION
International registrants who require a letter of invitation to obtain a travel visa may contact Janice Candlish by email janice@sahivcs.org

CLIMATE
The average temperature in Cape Town in September is somewhat warm at 21 °C (69.8 °F). Overnight temperatures are generally mild with an average low of 13 °C (55.4 °F).

CURRENCY AND CREDIT CARDS
The South African Rand (ZAR) is the local currency. All major credit cards are accepted throughout South Africa.

ELECTRICITY / VOLTAGE
The voltage throughout South Africa is 220V/50hz. Most plugs are 15 amp 3-prong or 5 amp 2-prong, in both cases with round pins. If you’re bringing anything electrical, please bring an adapter.

LIABILITY AND INSURANCE
Registration for the Workshop implies that delegates agree that neither the Organising Committee nor the Conference Organiser assume any liability or responsibility for any losses, accidents or damage to person’s private property. Delegates are requested to make their own arrangements for medical, travel and personal insurance.

MEDICAL
South Africa does not have a national health scheme. The patient is individually responsible for settling all accounts. Travel insurance covering accidents, illness or hospitalisation during your stay is strongly recommended.

PERSONAL SAFETY
Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to us, but, as always, travellers should take a few basic precautions to ensure a safe and pleasant visit:
• Accommodation – Never leave your luggage unattended. Store valuables in the hotel’s safety deposit box or room safe. Keep your room locked at all times.
• Sightseeing and entertainment – Use registered, qualified tour guides. Don’t leave handbags under tables, on the backs of chairs or on restroom hooks. Travel in groups, especially if you are visiting a nightclub or bar you haven’t been to before.
• In the street – Consult your hotel for a reliable taxi service. Don’t carry large sums of money and avoid counting in the open. Explore in groups and stick to well-lit, busy streets, especially at night.
• Money and travel documents – Travel with certified copies of your valuable documents and keep originals in a safe place. Countersign no more than half your traveller’s cheques. Separate your cash and credit cards and don’t carry all your cash / traveller’s cheques with you during the day. Rather store half of them in your hotel room safe. Don’t allow strangers to assist you with ATM transactions. If your card gets stuck, immediately call that ATM’s helpline number. Be alert, and never turn your back while your ATM card is in the machine. Report lost passports and visas, without delay to the South African Police Services (SAPS).
• On the road – Familiarise yourself with local rules of the road. Remember, South Africa is a left-hand drive country. Keep the car doors locked at all times, the car windows wound up and any valuables locked in the boot. Never pick up strangers or ask them for directions. Rather go to the nearest business or petrol station if you get lost. Pay special attention to speed limits, road signs and traffic markings. It is compulsory to carry a translation of your driver’s license, if it is not in English.
• Who do I call in an emergency? You can dial 10111 or +27 21 480 7700 for Police Emergency Response – A call centre operator will answer the incoming call, take all necessary particulars and assign the complaint to a Flying Squad patrol vehicle, or the local police station, to attend the incident.

SOUTH AFRICAN CUISINE
South African cuisine is a unique fusion of many different external cultural influences. These include Dutch, French, Indian and Malaysian flavours and techniques that continue to make their way onto the menus of restaurants and into the homes of locals all over the country. Today, cooking typically consists of red meat, poultry or fish (grilled, barbecued or roasted), potatoes and / or rice, and vegetables that are often enhanced with butter and sugar. Desserts are popular, and are often based on old favourites that would have lasted a few days. This includes biscuits, rusks, and sugary pastries. The braai (barbecue) is one of the best known “cuisine” types in South Africa.
Thanks to the cosmopolitan nature of this country, the restaurants of South Africa offer a wide variety of international cuisine types too. These vary from Eastern favourites (Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and so on) to German eateries, English cafés, Moroccan food stalls and American-style diners.

Still, while in South Africa, visitors are urged to try some of the local flavours to get a real idea of its culture.
Here are some of the top suggestions for those that want a taste of South Africa:
• Biltong (a form of dried, cured meat)
• Sosaties (marinated kebabs that are cooked over the open flame)
• Bobotie (a Cape Malay version of Shepherd’s Pie)
• Boerewors (seasoned sausage)
• Bredie (a Cape Malay stew))
• Potjiekos (an Afrikaans stew cooked in a three-legged cast-iron pot)
• Melktert (milk tart)
• Pickled fish
• Koeksisters (a syrupy braided pastry)