The International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI) is the oldest international organisation in the field (founded in 1923). Its object is the achievement of international cooperation in the control of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. IUSTI is especially concerned not only with the medical aspects but the social and epidemiological aspects of the control of sexually transmitted diseases and increasingly HIV/AIDS. IUSTI is on the Roster of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and is an Official Non-Government Organisation in Consultative Status with the World Health Organisation.
The International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (hereafter referred to as the Union or IUSTI) is a UK-registered charity, without political religious or social ties. The IUSTI has a central Executive consisting of the President, Secretary General, Honorary Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, together with Regional Directors for Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa. These officers are helped by an Executive Board composed of senior international STD experts. Membership is open to individuals who have a professional interest in the control of sexually transmitted diseases. It is emphasised that a medical qualification is not required. Membership is also open to organisations such as national organisations for the study of sexually transmitted diseases and from sponsors.
There is often confusion about how IUSTI relates to ISSTDR (www.isstdr.org). The International Society for Sexually Transmitted Diseases Research exists exclusively for the purpose of conducting a high quality research meeting every two years. It was established in 1977, and conducts biennial scientific meetings that address the entire range of the biomedical, behavioural and social sciences related to all STDs, including HIV infection. ISSTDR has an elected board but not individual members. In contrast, IUSTI is an organisation of members, whose objective is achievement of international cooperation in the control of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. IUSTI is on the Roster of the United Nations Economic and Social Council as well as an official Non-Government Organisation in Consultative Status with the World Health Organisation. IUSTI has individual members that belong to different regions around the world. It has a broader brief and holds meetings in its different regions. Every two years its annual world congress is held in conjunction with the ISSTDR meeting.
The 20th International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections Asia-Pacific Congress (IUSTI AP) was held from October 23–26, 2019, in Shanghai, China. This year, the 21st IUSTI Asia-Pacific Congress will be held in partnership with the Philippine Society of Venereologists (PSV)—one of the oldest medical societies in the Philippines, established in 1949. The theme of this year’s Congress, “One Goal, One Voice, One Action” is both relevant and timely in the current global context. The Congress will focus on advancements in STI diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance, with key discussions on antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. In contrast, IUSTI is an organisation of members, whose objective is achievement of international cooperation in the control of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. IUSTI is on the Roster of the United Nations Economic and Social Council as well as an official Non-Government Organisation in Consultative Status with the World Health Organisation. IUSTI has individual members that belong to different regions around the world. It has a broader brief and holds meetings in its different regions. Every two years its annual world congress is held in conjunction with the ISSTDR meeting.
The Philippine Society of Venereologists (PSV) is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and was established in 1949. It is duly recognized as an affiliate specialty society of the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians. PSV envisions halting the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, and promoting healthy individuals and families. Its mission is to provide quality education, training, and advocacy on STIs for physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals, encompassing identification, treatment, and prevention. Venereology is a recognized subspecialty training program, and PSV currently has more than 500 members, with its numbers continuing to grow. Its membership includes physicians from various medical disciplines, as well as other health professionals actively engaged in STI control and treatment across the country. The Society regularly conducts postgraduate courses and annual conventions focused on current developments and best practices in STI management. PSV is also a member of the Philippine National AIDS Council, established in 1992 as the central advisory and policy-making body coordinating the national response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Philippines. The Society has established a strong collaboration with the Department of Health–Tondo Medical Center (DOH–TMC) through its Department of Dermatology and Venereology (DDV), which serves as the official training institution of PSV. The DOH–TMC–DDV has integrated STI training into its residency program, allowing residents to complete dual training in Dermatology and Venereology. In 2025, PSV, through the DOH–TMC–DDV, instituted the Venereology Fellowship Straight Program—the first of its kind in the Philippines. The program has established a partnership with the Observership Venereology Fellowship at the National University Hospital in Singapore, where graduates will have the opportunity to obtain a double fellowship. PSV continues to strengthen partnerships with affiliated Departments of Dermatology and other medical institutions nationwide. Together with its partner health institutions, PSV believes that working in unity can make a significant difference in addressing STIs and HIV prevention and control in the country.