70+ organisations call on greater EU leadership in HIV/AIDS

Showing unprecedented unity, 70+ community and civil society organisations from all parts of the world, and supported by UN agencies, call on the European Commission (EC) to reinvigorate its leadership in ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, as a decisive element of realising SDG3.

This call comes at a critical tipping point in the AIDS response. COVID-19, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, widening inequalities, and the economic downturn have been causing serious setbacks, but we know that ending HIV/AIDS by 2030 can be achieved. The international community has recently re-committed to this goal, as expressed in the June 2021 UN General Assembly Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS.

We now need stakeholders to act upon this commitment: the cost of inaction is too big.

We know that the EU can continue act in solidarity as a role model and global health champion, demonstrate its leadership, compassion and commitment and substantially contribute to ending one of the deadliest pandemics in living memory.

This is why we ask the European Commission to step up its role in the HIV/AIDS response, by:

1. Renewing relevant policy frameworks
2. Ensuring that the pandemic preparedness and response agenda contributes to ending HIV/AIDS and integrates lessons from the HIV/AIDS response
3. Increasing investments in The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
4. Putting human rights at the center to end inequalities