The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), represented by its President; Hon. Dr. Nchabi Richard Kamwi, hereby invites African countries wishing to host the 25^th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa in 2029 (ICASA 2029) to send in their application bid document to the SAA Secretariat in Accra- Ghana. The new closing date for submission of the Application is Friday, 30^th October 2026.

ICASA 2029 will be the 25^th edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa, to be organised by the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA).

Any African country is eligible to be considered to host ICASA. However, certain criteria must be fulfilled to qualify for selection. The procedure for application is as follows:

Interested countries should submit a bid document of intent to the SAA Secretariat backed up with detailed proof of evidence of the following information:

1. Strong Government support: financial commitment and political will to host the conference.
   • Provide and financially support the Conference venue: Capacity of Plenary rooms: 5000 seats with at least 7 break way rooms with a capacity from 150 to 1500 seats.
   • Provide financial support for the local Secretariat working with the International secretariat.
   • Provide Scholarships for at least 500 local Participants.
2. Availability of standard hotels to accommodate up to 10,000 participants as well as conference venue(s) with standard conference facilities.
3. Good transportation network within the country.
4. Good telecommunication network within the host country with links to other African countries and international communities.
5. Presence of cohorts of scientific, leadership, civil societies, organised groups of PLHIV, private sector, and youth organisations oriented towards HIV/AIDS-related activities.
6. Easy access by air and by the road where needed.
7. Recognizable presence of Government organ/body responsible for HIV/AIDS coordination in the country.
8. Good security network to guarantee participants’ safety.
9. Guarantee easy visa facilities and assistance to conference participants and no restriction to entry for PLHIV, MSM and other minority groups.
10. Political stability.
11. No discriminatory government policies based on gender, HIV status and religion.

The detailed bid document of intent backed up with evidence should reach the Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) Permanent Secretariat both by email, attachments and by courier services to the SAA President:

^{Society for AIDS in Africa
SAA Permanent Secretariat Accra
P.O. Box 2072
Plot Container 58 Otano Estates,
Behind NHTC, Adjiringanor, East Legon
Mob: (+ 233) 54 37 48 78 1
Office Line: (+ 233) 30 39 36 814
Email: ICASA2029bid@saafrica.org
Website: www.saafrica.org
Accra- Ghana}

1. Submitted applications will be evaluated by Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) paid members, whereby 2 countries will be pre-selected based on meeting the criteria listed in Step 1.
2. Assessment visits will be conducted by 3 SAA’s Council members to the preselected The pre-selected countries will invite SAA for the two-day assessment visit from 13^th November 2026 to 27^th November 2026.

Please note:

1. The pre-selection process will be concluded from 30^th November 2026, followed by the notification to the 2 countries.
2. After SAA Council members’ assessment visit and deliberation, the host country of ICASA 2029 will be notified on Friday, 4^th December 2026, followed by a press communiqué/release.

• Before the final selection of the host country of ICASA 2029 and a notification letter will be sent to the host country, an MOU will be signed between the selected country and Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA), the organiser of ICASA.

1. SAA President is ICASA 2029 Chair; the host country will appoint a Co-chair for ICASA 2029 in consultation with SAA. The Council reserves the right to revoke the hosting rights of a country if there are reasonable doubts about its ability to deliver.