From November 17 to 23, 2025
Coalition PLUS and its partners present
The 6th International Testing Week
The world’s largest HIV and STI testing operation returns for its sixth edition.
In just five years, the International Testing Week has become the leading event in community-based testing, with nearly 370,000 tests carried out over five editions.
This unique initiative covers a wide range of diseases: HIV, viral hepatitis B and C, syphilis, infection-related cancers (such as cervical and anal cancer), and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Everything you need to know about the International Testing Week
When and where will the 2025 edition of the International Testing Week (ITW) take place?
From November 17 to 23, 2025.
The launch ceremony will be held in Bogotá (Colombia), led by our partner Red Somos.
Which countries are participating in the 2025 edition?
A total of 66 partner organizations across 47 countries will take part in the 2025 edition.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Central African Republic, Republic of Mauritius, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rodrigues, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Chad, Togo
North Africa and the Middle East: Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia
North America: Canada
Latin America and the Caribbean: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala
Asia: India, Malaysia, Timor-Leste
Europe: Belgium, Spain, France, Moldova, Portugal, Romania, Ukraine
Which infections are tested?
Testing covers a broad range: HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, infection-related cancers (cervical, anal), and other sexually transmitted infections.
What activities are carried out?
Throughout the week, partner organizations organize:
- Testing sessions
- Distribution of self-tests and self-sampling kits
- Awareness-raising and communication activities
- Training sessions for peer educators and local capacity building
- Advocacy with decision-makers
Medical care and linkage to treatment
What types of testing are used?
ITW favors rapid tests, which provide immediate results and allow testing outside hospital settings.
In 2024, over 80% of tests were carried out using this method — in community settings, online, in prisons, schools, and among young people.
Which populations are targeted by ITW?
Anyone can get tested during ITW, but partner associations primarily target key populations most exposed to HIV and STIs.
The 2024 distribution of tests among key populations was as follows:
- Men who have sex with men (23.2%)
- Sex workers (29%)
- Migrants (7.5%)
- People who inject drugs (5.5%)
- Prison populations (3.8%)
In 2024, 2% of people tested for HIV received a positive diagnosis.
What happens when a test result is positive?
Partner organizations support each person through confirmatory testing and, if necessary, access to treatment.
In 2024, 73% of people who tested positive for HIV were successfully referred to care.
Why an International Testing Week?
The International Testing Week reminds us that knowing one’s HIV status — positive or negative — is vital for one’s own health and for the health of others.
Whether through health centers, outreach activities, or self-testing, everyone can get tested confidentially and safely, including with the help of trained peers from the most affected communities.
Community-based testing: a proven strategy
Because they understand the realities and needs of their communities, people from key populations provide a welcoming, non-judgmental, and accessible environment.
This community health approach, championed by Coalition PLUS, complements formal healthcare systems and facilitates access to prevention, testing, and treatment.
In 2024
Partner organizations in 46 countries
Tests performed (HIV, HBV, HCV, syphilis)
HIV tests conducted, with 2% positive results detected
2025: A year marked by a funding crisis
In 2025, the global HIV response faces an unprecedented shock.
Following the abrupt freeze of U.S. funding and drastic cuts in development aid by several donor countries, millions of lives are now at risk. Testing centers are closing, vital services are being interrupted, and healthcare workers and peer educators are losing their jobs.
Behind these statistics are real people — women, young girls, LGBTQI+ individuals, migrants, sex workers, and people who inject drugs — all deprived of essential care.
Investing in testing must be a global public health priority
Investing in testing — particularly community-based testing — is not an expense but a smart choice. It enables earlier diagnosis, reduces transmission, and lowers future treatment costs.
For policymakers and donors, supporting testing means taking concrete action to end epidemics while optimizing the use of public and private resources and preventing a surge in new infections.
Make a donation as an individual
As public funding for the HIV response declines, Coalition PLUS also relies on citizen solidarity to strengthen its impact on testing.
By contributing financially to this initiative, you help sustain a proven model of community health that has shown results since the beginning of the epidemic.
In 2025, being in solidarity is not a sign of weakness — it is a testament to strength and hope for the future.
Get involved as a company
To end AIDS, private sector support is essential.
By joining forces with Coalition PLUS for the International Testing Week, companies directly contribute to a global public health campaign recognized for its impact, with nearly 370,000 tests already conducted since its inception.
Corporate philanthropy helps embed this commitment over time and participate in an international effort to reduce new infections.
Taking action today means investing in health for future generations.
