African mayors and mayors of African descent from more than 30 countries participating in a global conference in Accra, Ghana, explored how cities can accelerate the AIDS response and deliver specific results in HIV prevention, testing and treatment in the next five years.
The Fourth World Summit of Mayors and Leaders from Africa and of African Descent was held from 1 to 3 June and was hosted by the Lord Mayor of Accra, Alfred Vanderpuije.
During the summit, participants committed to the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic and discussed how to increase HIV testing, access to antiretroviral therapy and stopping new HIV infections among children.
Following a series of regional consultations, 18 mayors from Africa, Latin America and the United States of America signed the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities, which calls for ending the AIDS epidemic in cities by 2030. The mayors agreed that by putting people at the centre of the response and addressing underlying issues, such as poverty, discrimination and violence against women and girls, their societies can be transformed.
The summit was convened within the framework of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015–2024). It featured other thematic pillars, including gender equality and women’s empowerment, youth entrepreneurship and employment.
The event was co-organized by the Global Alliance of Mayors and Leaders from Africa and of African Descent, the African Renaissance and Diaspora Network, Inc., in partnership with the City of Accra, la Asociación Nacional de Alcaldes de Municipios con Población Afrodescendiente and UNAIDS.
“As a member of the UNAIDS and Lancet Commission, I strongly endorse the Paris Declaration by mayors worldwide for Fast-Tracking the AIDS response in cities as a key strategy to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Together we will bring an end to the epidemic.”
Johan Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana
“Addressing AIDS is an essential element of the summit because it lies at the core of our economic and social development efforts, since Africa is the hardest hit region. I am proud that Ghana has seen major reductions in HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.”
Alfred Vanderpuije, Lord Mayor of Accra and President of the Global Alliance of Mayors and Leaders of Africa and of African Descent
“I am an advocate of the Paris Declaration. This is why in Brazil, together with the UNAIDS country office, we are mobilizing mayors and innovative partnerships to scale up the HIV response in cities.”
Celia Sacramento, Deputy Mayor of Salvador de Bahia and Vice-President of the Global Alliance of Mayors and Leaders of Africa and of African Descent
“In our technical assistance to Fast-Track cities, we aim to leverage their existing HIV programming to break down barriers to HIV testing, linkage to care and treatment for the populations with the highest HIV prevalence—women, people who inject drugs, sex workers and men who have sex with men.”
José M. Zuniga, President of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
“If cities lead the way we will be able to reach the 90–90–90 targets.”
Mbulawa Mugabe, UNAIDS Director of Country Impact and Sustainability
