The challenges for the AIDS response in small island developing states are unique. Increasingly, they face natural disasters, community displacement and migration. On these small islands, HIV is most prevalent among key populations—sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs—and most HIV infections are among young people.

In a recent visit to Seychelles, Michel Sidibé, the UNAIDS Executive Director, addressed a meeting on laws, policies and strategies to meet the 90–90–90 targets—whereby, by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 90% of people who know their HIV-positive status are accessing treatment and 90% of people on treatment have suppressed viral loads—in small island developing states.

Mr Sidibé highlighted the need for small island developing states to protect the human rights of key populations and to invest in HIV prevention and treatment services for adolescents and young people. He also stressed the importance of improving economic opportunities for communities.

During his visit, Mr Sidibé also addressed the Seychelles National Assembly to stress the importance of ensuring that Seychelles is on the Fast-Track towards ending AIDS. Despite Seychelles’ efforts towards meeting the 90–90–90 targets, new HIV infections among key populations are continuing to grow, highlighting the need to reach populations at higher risk of HIV with effective HIV services.

Mr Sidibé commended the President of Seychelles, Danny Faure, for his bold leadership of the national AIDS response and his commitment to build a generation without AIDS.