NEW YORK/GENEVA, 15 May 2026—More than 200 civil society representatives, people living with HIV and partners gathered in person and online at the United Nations in New York to urge renewed political leadership, sustainable financing and stronger support for communities at a one-day Multi-Stakeholder Hearing on HIV. This hearing comes amid growing concern that funding cuts and attacks on human rights are beginning to derail years of progress in the global HIV response.  

The hearing was held as part of preparations for the 2026 United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS (22-23 June 2026), where Member States will negotiate a new Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS to guide the global HIV response over the next five years. 

President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, who opened the hearing said, “As stakeholders, your efforts are needed now more than ever: to maintain pressure and to help ensure that the decisions taken here reach the communities you serve. In a world where innovations exist—and where resources remain abundant—there is no reason not to take this fight to the next level, together.”  

The event gave an opportunity for UN Member States to hear from civil society representatives and people living with HIV about their lived experiences, urgent priorities and current and emerging gaps in the HIV response. 

“The AIDS response has always been powered by courage. By resilience, by outrage, by refusal to accept the injustice that some lives matter more than others,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS in her opening remarks. “That same spirit is needed again now. This is the moment for the world to embrace the very real possibility of ending AIDS as a public health threat, once and for all people, everywhere, if we collectively choose to do what is necessary in the next five years.”  

Civil society representatives highlighted the need for continuity and sustainability of the HIV response over the long term. Many of the issues and concerns raised at the hearing were centred around the impact of the ongoing declines in international funding, how to encourage countries to increase domestic commitment and resources and how to support the critical work of community-led services, particularly by and for key populations most affected by HIV.  

“Last year’s disruptions tested all of us. Yet, this period of reform and repositioning offers a genuine opportunity for fresh leadership,” said Florence Riako Anam, Co-Executive Director of the Global Network of People Living with HIV. “The leadership of today must shape this transition from emergency response to sustainable systems; a necessary and proud evolution that recognises that people living with HIV will still be here in 2031 and beyond, with needs that matter then as they do now. Let us carry forward the same admirable spirit, that has defined the multilateral HIV response.”  

The Multi-Stakeholder Hearing also kicks off a period of intensified advocacy and education, including next week 13-19 May, during which communities and civil society will continue to shape their priorities for the negotiations on the High-Level Meeting Political Declaration. 

Ambassador Charles Masole, Permanent Representative of Botswana to the UN and Co-Facilitator of the High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS said, “Botswana’s HIV response, often recognized as a success story, was not the result of government action alone. It was driven—and continues to be driven—by activists and community leaders who refused to allow the government, or society at large, to look away from the human cost of AIDS. This partnership between government leadership and civil society advocacy has been, and remains, essential to sustaining progress not only in Botswana, but also around the world.” 

Ambassador David Bakradze, , Permanent Representative of Georgia to the UN and Co-Facilitator of the High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS said, “The message is clear: we can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 but doing so will require the continued leadership and involvement of communities—and ensuring this work is supported and institutionalized. Communities are essential for success on a programmatic level; they are not a line item that can be cut out of budgets—they are critical infrastructure and essential to end AIDS.” 

The President of the General Assembly’s report from the Multi-Stakeholder Hearing, which will be issued in coming days, will be instrumental in informing consultations by member states on the new Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS in the lead up to the High-Level Meeting on 22-23 June 2026. This report and Civil Society Statement for the High-Level Meeting will be made available on the UNAIDS web page United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS.  

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

UNAIDS is heading to 79th World Health Assembly (#WHA79) taking place in Geneva from 18-23 May.   

This year’s World Health Assembly comes at a critical moment for the global AIDS response. The world is closer than ever to ending AIDS as a public health threat, yet that progress is at dire risk of being lost amid converging crises, widespread volatility and deepening inequalities. 

The landscape of the HIV response has changed dramatically, marked by shifts in health and HIV-specific funding and the overall aid architecture, mounting fiscal pressures, and a backlash against human rights.  

At the same time, the emergence of innovations and technologies offer exciting new opportunities to end AIDS, but only if political will and sustainable investment are maintained.  

UNAIDS main messages at the 79th World Health Assembly: 

1. The HIV epidemic is not over and there is an urgent need for global solidarity to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030—no country can do it alone.
2. Ending AIDS is possible and a pathway exists through the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and through the upcoming United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS with the adoption of a powerful new Political Declaration on HIV.
3. Progress must not be lost and sustainability is key. Investments must be made in HIV prevention, treatment and community leadership. Shifts to country ownership must be supported responsibly and responses must be based on evidence, human rights and be people focused, leaving no one behind 

Side events co-hosted by UNAIDS at #WHA79

Saturday 16 May | 13:00 - 16:00 CEST

High-Level Ministerial Consultation on the Common African Position (CAP) to the High-Level Meeting on AIDS

Salle A, Building A, 1st Floor, WHO Headquarters
 
To strengthen Africa’s collective voice ahead of the 2026 UN High-Level Meeting on AIDS, the African Union Commission (AUC), with the support of UNAIDS, is leading the development of a Common African Position (CAP). The CAP will guide Africa’s negotiations on the 2026–2031 UN Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS and ensure that the continent’s priorities, ownership, and long-term development vision under Agenda 2063 are reflected in global commitments.

This ministerial consultation, convened on the margins of the World Health Assembly, will review and adopt the CAP following regional expert consultations.
 
Organizers: African Union Commission (AUC) with the support of UNAIDS

Tuesday 19 May | 08:30 - 10:30 CEST

One Vision, One Future: Shaping the Next Chapter of Health Financing in Africa  

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Geneva 

This dialogue aims to advance delivery on both the Accra RESET and the African Union Africa Leadership Meeting Declaration, leveraging all related initiatives, by addressing four interconnected questions:   

1. What does political leadership for health financing sovereignty require? 

2. What political, fiscal, and institutional realities constrain this leadership? 

3. What concrete actions can be taken now? 

4. How can continental accountability be strengthened? 

For onsite or virtual participation, please register here by Friday, 15 May, 18:00 CET.  

Organized by: the governments of Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain and Japan, the African Union Commission, the European Union Commission and the AfroChampions Initiative. Supported by WHO, UNAIDS, the Global Fund and AFHIA. 

Contact: Sandra Orcí Gutiérrez - sandra.orcigutierrez@theglobalfund.org  

Wednesday 20 May | 07:00 - 09:00 CEST

Creating a Shared Vision to Advance Triple Elimination of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B: Commitment or Complacency?  

UNAIDS Kofi A. Annan room, 20 Av Appia, 1211 Geneva

The World Health Assembly offers a decisive moment to energize global leadership and convert policy and funding commitments into accelerated action on triple elimination (Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B). 

The high-level roundtable will review global and regional continental structures working on triple elimination and discuss how efforts can rapidly align.  

Organized by: The Business Council for International Understanding, UNAIDS, Abbott and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation 

Invitation only

Wednesday 20 May | 12:00-13:00 CEST

Inequality-Pandemic Leadership Dialogue

Kofi A. Annan Room, 20 Av Appia, 1211 Geneva 

Drawing on recommendations from the recently published Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics report Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle: Building true health security in a global age, this conversation will seek to identify synergies among countries on inequalities and create opportunities for collaboration on a global policy agenda aimed at reducing the inequalities undermining health security globally.  

Organized by: UNAIDS and the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics 

Invitation only

Wednesday 20 May | 18:30 - 20:30 CEST 

The Value Collection 

Red Cross Museum, Av. de la Paix 17, 1202 Genève 

A curated immersive exhibition that illustrates the multi-faceted value of co-created, flexible service delivery models. Personal reflections, physical objects and video storyboards will concretize how community voice, healthcare innovation and multi-sectoral partnerships are enabling people-centered primary healthcare.  

Organized by: Harvard Medical School, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, UNAIDS and Roche 

All WHA delegates are welcome to attend the exhibition. Register here.  

How you can engage  

• Follow @UNAIDS 
• Follow all events at the World Health Assembly 
• Bring the dialogue to your local community and your local leaders 
• For more information please contact: communications@unaids.org   

Media contact

For media related questions please contact:
Sophie Barton-Knott
+41 79 514 68 96

Quotes

GENEVA, 01 June 2026—Pursuant to Judgment No 5152 delivered by the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organization, UNAIDS was ordered to issue the present new press release related to a previous press release that was issued by UNAIDS on 14 September 2018. By virtue of the present press release, and pursuant to the Tribunal’s order, UNAIDS confirms that, on 28 February 2019, the Organization acknowledged that, further to a preliminary review, the allegations made against the complainant, to which its prior press release of 14 September 2018 referred, were found to be unsupported by prima facie evidence and not to merit any further investigation.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 11 May 2026—UNAIDS mourns the death of Botswana’s former president Festus Mogae. President Mogae led Botswana between 1998 and 2008, tackling Botswana’s HIV pandemic with resolve and dedication as the country faced one of highest HIV burdens in the world.  

Under his leadership, Botswana became the first African country to launch a national, free and comprehensive HIV treatment programme, setting a precedent for the region and the world. During President Mogae’s tenure, AIDS-related deaths were reduced by 39% and new HIV infections among children were reduced by 73%, putting Botswana well on the path to ending AIDS. In 2021, Botswana became the first high burden country in the world to reach the Path to eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV.   

He understood early that ending AIDS required more than medicine alone. He consistently called on leaders to confront stigma, discrimination and inequality, recognizing that protecting human rights was essential to protecting public health. 

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of former President Festus Gontebanye Mogae,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “He was a courageous and visionary leader who confronted HIV with honesty, science and compassion when few dared to do so. At a time when many questioned whether African countries could deliver universal HIV treatment, President Mogae demonstrated that bold political leadership, national ownership and investment in people could change the course of an epidemic. His legacy lives on in the many lives saved and changed and in the global AIDS response he helped shape. May he rest in power and peace.”

President Mogae remained a strong advocate for the AIDS response after his time in office. He devoted his time and voice to urging governments to lead with courage, compassion and accountability. In 2008 he launched, and served as Chairman, of the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation, a distinguished group of former presidents and influential African leaders committed to achieving an AIDS-free generation in Africa. He was also a member of UNAIDS High-Level Commission on HIV Prevention and member of the UNAIDS-Lancet Commission on Defeating AIDS–Advancing Global Health. 

In 2008, President Mogae was awarded the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership in 2008, including for his outstanding leadership on HIV response in Botswana and the rest of the African continent.  

During his presidency, President Mogae led and championed an inclusive national HIV response, including access to treatment, fighting stigma and ending discrimination. President Mogae leaves an undisputed HIV legacy, which carried through Botswana’s successive leaders in the fight against the epidemic. UNAIDS joins the Government of the Republic of Botswana, its people and his family and the entire world in paying tribute to president Mogae.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.