Conference Embargo Policy


In the case of IAS 2017, as well as most scientific/medical conferences, all conference abstracts are released to delegates and media under a strict embargo policy. A detailed breakdown of the embargo variations for different types of abstracts is available below. All regular delegates, presenters and media are asked to respect this policy.

  • Oral Abstracts
    Information about the oral abstracts may not be published or presented before the start of the session in which the abstract is presented, with the exception of oral abstracts included in an official IAS 2017 press conference. The embargo on those abstracts lifts at the start time of the press conference in which the oral abstract is featured or the start time of the scientific session in which the abstract is presented – whichever is earlier.
  • Oral Poster Discussion Abstracts and Poster Exhibition Abstracts
    Information about the oral poster discussion and poster exhibition abstracts may not be published or presented before 10:00 (CEST – Central European Summer Time) on Monday, 24 July 2017.

Embargo Breaks for Presenters

A committee will analyse potential cases of embargo break by presenters. These will be studied on a case by case basis and as an ultimate consequence it could lead to the abstract being withdrawn from the conference. Authors may publish the fact that their abstract has been selected for inclusion in the IAS 2017 programme, but may not publish the results of the study before the lifting of the embargo (as detailed above).

If you have any questions, please contact the IAS 2017 programme team at [email protected].


Embargo Breaks for Media Reporters

As well as having access to the materials detailed above, the media may also be given prior access to the speakers' slides. However, access is only granted to media onsite at the conference and the same embargo rules apply meaning the information in speakers’ slides cannot be specifically referenced or published before the start of the presentation.

The breaking of the embargo policy by a reporter will lead to one or more of the following measures:

  • Immediate suspension of the reporter's media conference credentials
  • Immediate barring of the reporter from the meeting premises
  • Removal of the reporter's name from the IAS Media Distribution List for two years
  • No access to the next International AIDS Conference and IAS Conference

Any breaches in the embargo by media will be brought to the attention of the Media Embargo Committee. If you have questions, please contact the IAS 2017 communications team at [email protected].

Contact the Programme Team

[email protected]


Contact the
Media Team

[email protected]