The Aids 2014 conference this week said it was time to 'step up the pace'. Join experts from 1-3pm BST, 31 July to discuss how

While tainted by the tragic loss of prominent HIV/Aids experts in the MH17 crash, powerful – and positive – messages surfaced at the Aids 2014 conference in Melbourne this week. Bill Clinton, former US president, spoke of an Aids-free generation within reach. Nobel prize winning Professor Francois Barré-Sinoussi, stated "it is possible to stop Aids. So go ahead," while Michel Sidibé, head of UNAids called for "an end to Aids by 2030."

The palpable sense of a sector on the cusp of a real breakthrough is not unjustified. A study this week, published in the Lancet and presented in Melbourne, celebrated the success in tackling the global burden of HIV since the adoption of the millennium development goals. It also highlighted the scale of the epidemic to be smaller than previously estimated by UNAids. Also at the conference, Danish researchers revealed key discoveries using cancer-fighting drug romidepsin to expose hibernating HIV.

However, amid the progress, it's important not to lose sight of the need for a final push. Since the first reports of HIV in 1981, there have been significant strides in the development of antiretroviral drugs, access to treatment, and a large focus on advocacy and funding on the issue. Despite this, according to the latest Lancet report, 1.8 million people are still newly infected each year, and 101 countries (74 of which are developing) still have increasing HIV incidence.

Partly to blame is the fact that at-risk and marginalised groups often face barriers to accessing the appropriate health services. Depressingly, a report this month from the New Open Society Foundation found stigma and criminalisation around the disease to be on the rise in countries such as Russia, Burma and Vietnam.

So what does the sector need to do realise the "Aids-free generation"? The conference this week was under the banner of 'stepping up the pace' – where do the real strides need to be made? Is it primarily about stepping up the funding, better research, or just working more efficiently and collaboratively? And how do you work with marginalised groups to tackle stigma and fear? Join our expert panel to discuss on Thursday 31 July, 1-3pm BST.

The panel

Martin Donoghoe, programme manager HIV/Aids, WHO Regional Office for Europe, @WHO, Copenhagen, Denmark

Martin manages the programme for HIV/Aids, STIs and viral hepatitis at the World Health Organisation's regional office for Europe.

Enrique Restoy, senior adviser for human rights and HIV, International HIV/Aids Alliance, @theaidsalliance, Brighton, UK

As well as working for the alliance, Enrique is a member of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria human rights group.

James Matheka, programme officer, Population Council, @Pop_Council, Tabora,Tanzania

James has over ten years' experience in public health research, training and field coordination.

Jane Anderson, consultant physician, Public Health England, @ProfJAnderson, London, UK

Jane is a consultant physician and researcher, and lead for HIV, sexual and reproductive health within the Wellbeing Directorate.

Anne Philpott, founder, The Pleasure Project, @thepleasureproj, London, UK

Anna has 20 years experience in sex education, public health and HIV prevention in both the UK, South Africa and India.

Linda-Gail Bekker, deputy director, Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, Cape Town, South Africa

Linda-Gail Bekker is a physician scientist with a keen interest in HIV, tuberculosis and related diseases.

The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). Get in touch via globaldevpros@theguardian.com or @GuardianGDP on Twitter to recommend someone for our expert panel. Follow the discussion using the hashtag #globaldevlive.

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