Annual International Scientific Meetings
GVN’s Annual Scientific Meetings convene global experts, researchers, and public health leaders to advance virology research and strengthen international collaboration. Each meeting plays a vital role in enhancing pandemic preparedness, driving scientific innovation, and building global capacity to address viral threats.
Prior Annual International Scientific Meetings
2024 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting- Durban, South Africa
The 2024 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Durban, South Africa from September 16–18, 2024, was co-hosted with CAPRISA at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Centered on the theme “Navigating Virology’s Frontiers in Africa,” this meeting marked GVN’s first annual conference on the African continent and featured a hybrid format with extensive global participation. Key discussions addressed Mpox, HIV, COVID-19, Oropouche, Rift Valley Fever, zoonotic spillover, genetic surveillance, emerging pathogens, and scientific misinformation. Sessions also highlighted One Health, pandemic preparedness, vector-borne disease ecology, diagnostics, and therapeutics. The program included panels on training the next generation, perspectives from global agencies, and the work of GVN Action Committees, alongside tours, networking sessions, and the GVN Awards Ceremony.
Click/tap each Welcome Message for a PDF version. Click/tap for the full meeting booklet.
2023 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting- Monaco
The 2023 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Monaco from October 19–21, 2023, was organized in collaboration with the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM) and the Principality of Monaco. As GVN’s first in-person annual meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic, the program explored global viral threats, pandemic preparedness, surveillance innovations, and the lessons learned from COVID-19. Scientific sessions highlighted topics including AI-driven approaches to preparedness, wastewater and pathogen surveillance, arboviruses and hemorrhagic fevers, emerging and zoonotic viruses, oncogenic viruses, antiviral innovation, and the host–virus relationship. The meeting also featured a joint CSM/GVN session under the patronage of Prince Albert II, along with discussions on global collaboration, GVN’s strategic plan, and the transition to new leadership.
2020 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting- Virtual
The 2020 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting, held virtually from September 22–24, 2020, addressed the theme “Epidemics and Pandemics in the Modern Era”. This special program brought together experts from GVN Centers and affiliates worldwide to examine the global response to COVID-19, lessons from past outbreaks, and strategies to strengthen preparedness. Scientific sessions covered viral transmission and pathogenesis, diagnostics, serology, therapeutics, immunity, vaccines, genetic surveillance, and the broader public health implications of emerging pathogens. Panel discussions highlighted the evolving understanding of SARS-CoV-2 and approaches for improving resilience to future pandemics, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration across the GVN network.
2019 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting- Barcelona, Spain
The 2019 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting, held in Barcelona, Spain, was co-hosted by the Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA/UAB-IRTA) and the Spanish Society of Virology (SEV). The meeting brought together more than 300 delegates from 22 countries, highlighting global collaboration across the GVN’s Centers of Excellence and Affiliates. Scientific sessions explored immunology and vaccines, antivirals, virus–host interactions, diagnostic virology, epidemiology, structural biology, emerging and re-emerging viruses, and new biotechnological applications. A central cross-cutting theme focused on how globalization and climate change influence viral spread and preparedness. The meeting advanced scientific exchange, fostered new partnerships, and supported the next generation of virologists through expanded trainee engagement and travel awards.
Meeting Report: The 11th International Global Virus Network
2018 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting- Veyrier-du-Lac, France
The 2018 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting, held November 28–30, 2018, in Veyrier du Lac, France, brought together leading virologists to advance global collaboration against emerging and re-emerging viral threats. Co-hosted by the Mérieux Foundation and the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo), the meeting was led by Dr. Hubert Endtz, Dr. Ab Osterhaus, and Dr. Christian Bréchot. Centered on the theme “Eradication and Control of (Re-)Emerging Viruses,” the program explored critical topics such as vaccines, immunology, antivirals, virus–host interactions, diagnostics, epidemiology, structural biology, and innovative applications of viruses as biotechnological tools.
Meeting Report: The 10th International Global Virus Network meeting.
2017 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting- Melbourne, Australia
The 2017 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting, held in September 2017 in Melbourne, Australia, brought together leading virologists to explore advances in viral research across the region and beyond. Co-hosted by Australia’s Peter Doherty Institute and the Institut Pasteur, the meeting highlighted major developments in HIV, HCV, HTLV-1, and emerging viruses significant to Australia and Southeast Asia. Program highlights included a public forum on HTLV-1 in Remote Indigenous Australians and a dedicated session on new and emerging viruses in Australasia and globally, emphasizing regional challenges and collaborative scientific responses.
Meeting Report: The 9th International Global Virus Network meeting.
2016 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting- Sapporo, Japan
The 2016 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting, held in September 2016 in Sapporo, Japan, convened researchers and center directors from around the world to address emerging and re-emerging viral threats. Co-hosted by the Japanese Society for Virology (JSV), the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) of Japan, and Hokkaido University’s Research Center for Zoonosis Control (CZC), the meeting featured scientific sessions on Zika, influenza, Ebola, Lassa, chikungunya, HPV, and other major viral pathogens. Discussions emphasized advances in diagnostics, vaccines, zoonoses, retroviruses, and international collaborative strategies. This meeting marked the first joint GVN–JSV event, significantly expanding engagement with Japan’s virology community and fostering new opportunities for global scientific partnership.
Meeting Report: The 8th International Global Virus Network meeting.
2015 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting- Beijing, China
The 2015 GVN Annual Scientific Meeting, held in May 2015 in Beijing, China, was hosted by the Beijing University of Technology, a GVN Center of Excellence. Taking place amid increasing global migration, climate change, and the resurgence of high-consequence viral threats, the meeting provided a timely platform for international collaboration. Scientific discussions addressed a wide range of pathogens, including hemorrhagic fever viruses, hepatitis viruses, HIV, measles, influenza, dengue, and chikungunya. Participants also reviewed core GVN strategies, including the development of specialized task forces and expanded training programs, to strengthen global preparedness and respond effectively to emerging and re-emerging viral threats.
2013 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting- Moscow, Russia
The 2013 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting, held in September 2013 in Moscow, Russia, was hosted by the Russian GVN Consortium and led by the Moscow Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention & Treatment. The meeting brought together GVN Centers of Excellence to share updates on their current research and highlight developments in emerging and re-emerging viral threats across the network.
2013 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting- Munich, Germany
The 2013 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting, held in May 2013 in Munich, Germany, was hosted by the Technical University of Munich with support from donors including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gilead Sciences, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH). The program featured a dedicated workshop on vaccine durability and a public scientific session designed to expand engagement with new partners and strengthen collaboration across the GVN.
2012 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting- Baltimore, Maryland
The 2012 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting, held in September 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland, was organized by the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The meeting featured scientific presentations from GVN Centers of Excellence and welcomed several newly admitted Centers into the Network, strengthening the organization’s global reach and collaborative research capacity.
2012 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting- Naples, Italy
The 2012 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting, held in June 2012 in Naples, Italy, was organized by members of the Italian GVN at the National Cancer Institute “Fondazione G. Pascale”. The program introduced foundational members of the GVN Board of Directors, featured presentations on key research areas from Network members, and fostered collaborations that helped solidify GVN’s early development and international partnerships.
2011 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting- Dublin Ireland
The 2011 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting, held in October 2011 at University College Dublin (UCD), was organized by UCD’s Center for Research in Infectious Diseases. The meeting advanced both scientific and administrative priorities for the young Network, including efforts toward gaining recognition as a U.S.-based nonprofit organization. Discussions helped refine the GVN’s strategic direction and supported the continued development of its global scientific partnerships.
2011 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting- Washington, DC
The 2011 GVN Bi-Annual Scientific Meeting, held in March 2011 at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC, marked the official launch of the Network. Organized by the Institute of Human Virology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the meeting established Drs. Robert Gallo, Reinhard Kurth, and William Hall as GVN Co-Founders. Founding members set up the organization’s mission, goals, and objectives, establishing the framework for GVN’s global collaborative model.