General Assembly: High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS - 91st plenary meeting, 80th session

The 91st Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly is called to order. The Assembly will continue the 2026 High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS under Agenda Item 10, entitled Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declarations on HIV/AIDS, to continue the debate on the item. Before giving the floor to the first speaker on the list of speakers, delegations are reminded that statements are limited to 3 minutes for individual delegations and 5 minutes for statements made on behalf of a group of states. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 72 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, when a representative exceeds exceeds her or his allotted time, the President shall call the speaker to order without delay, which will be done by means of automatic microphone cutoff. To assist delegations in managing their time, a countdown clock will be displayed on the screens. Having said this, I would like to appeal to all speakers to deliver their statements at a reasonable pace to facilitate interpretation into the 6 official languages. I now give the floor to His Excellency Bertrand Sinal, Minister of Public Health and Population of Haiti.

Madame la Présidente. Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates. HIV response in Haiti remains at the core of our commitment to public health, human dignity, and fundamental rights. Despite an especially fraught context marked by humanitarian security and political challenges, our goal remains clear: putting an end to AIDS as a threat to public health by 2030. Over the last few years, Haiti has made significant progress. More than 128,000 people living with HIV now have access to free antiretroviral treatment. New infections have dropped by 28% since 2010, and deaths linked to AIDS have declined by more than 75%. Yes, my country has made enormous progress when it comes to its response despite an exceedingly difficult context, and this progress demonstrates the tangible impact of our collective efforts. These results are the culmination of robust multisectoral coordination led by the Haitian government and especially Prime Minister Alix Béauvais-Dumais, with the commitment of various ministries involved, the support of the UN system, especially UNAIDS, and international partners such as PEPFAR and the Global Fund, etc. We also commend the crucial role of civil society organizations and of communities, which form a cornerstone of our response. We also have FOSREF and Housing Works present with us. However, significant challenges remain. Insecurity continues to disrupt access to healthcare services, leading to interruptions of treatment and the shutdown of many health centers. Stigmatization and discrimination remain major obstacles, especially for key populations. Gender inequality exacerbated by violence exacerbate the vulnerability of women and teenagers. In addition, HIV transmission from mother to child remains a crucial challenge. Only 55% of pregnant women have— with HIV have access to the treatment they need to prevent this vertical transmission. Bridging these gaps require increased efforts when it comes to prenatal testing, continuity of care, and follow-up for mothers and children. In light of these challenges, the government— the microphone was cut off for the speaker.

I thank the distinguished representative, Minister of Public Health and Population of Haiti. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ghana.

Madam President, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, Ghana welcomes this high-level meeting and aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the African Group. For many countries, especially in Africa, The central challenge is no longer how to accelerate progress, but how to sustain it. At a time of shrinking external support, growing fiscal pressures, and persistent inequalities, the HIV response requires renewed commitment grounded in fair transition and global solidarity. For Ghana, the message is clear: The next phase of the response must be built on sustainable financing, resilient systems, and shared responsibility. It must also be a moment of collective introspection. If we are to end AIDS by 2030, we must learn from missed targets and focus on actions that will have the greatest impact in this final stretch. Ghana is enhancing its HIV response by focusing on sustainable planning, mobilizing domestic resources, integrating HIV services into broader health systems, and forging robust partnerships with community, civil society, the private sector, and development partners. Our unwavering commitment is to prevention, treatment, care, and support delivered with dignity and free from stigma and discrimination. But national ownership cannot mean global withdrawal. Across Africa, fiscal pressures, debt burdens, and declining development assistance are creating real risks to treatment continuity, prevention programs, community-led responses, and services for those most affected by HIV. A disorderly transition from external support would not be sustainable. It will be a setback. Ghana therefore calls for a fair, predictable, and well-managed transition that safeguards essential HIV services, supports domestic financing, enhances primary healthcare, and aligns investment behind national plans, budgets, and accountability systems. Your Excellencies, the Accra Reset, led by His Excellency President John Dramane Mahama, embodies a transformative vision for development cooperation. It focuses on practical sovereignty, execution capacity, and shared prosperity. By championing the Accra Reset, Ghana is pioneering a cooperative model that harmonizes financing, enhances peer learning, reforms governance for effective delivery, and fortifies sovereignty implementation capacity. In the HIV response, this—

I thank the distinguished representative of Ghana. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Senegal.

Madam President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, my delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Malawi on behalf of the African Group and would like to make the following comments in its national capacity. My delegation takes note with satisfaction of the report of Secretary-General on the implementation of The Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS presented at a vital time marked by the need to consolidate a global health architecture that is better adapted to emerging challenges, especially when it comes to the response to HIV. Senegal would like to commend the outstanding efforts made as well as the unwavering commitment that continues to bring together the international community around a common goal, that is to end new HIV infection discrimination, and deaths linked to AIDS. However, attaining SDG 3.3 requires strengthening global solidarity. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the fragility of our health systems, as well as persistent and profound inequalities, especially for the most vulnerable. Despite the progress achieved, major challenges remain, especially for women and girls, and especially in the context of conflict. They remain exposed to higher risks of HIV infection. Senegal remains convinced that an effective response requires strengthening health systems as well as adequate and predictable financing and equitable access to to medication, vaccines, and medical innovations. In this regard, technology transfer and support for innovation must be priorities to guarantee a more just and sustainable response, especially in Africa. Thanks to these tireless efforts, Senegal has maintained a low prevalence of HIV estimated at 0.3% in the overall population. This demonstrates significant progress in our national response to AIDS. Madam President, the goal of ending AIDS by 2030 is not compromised yet, but it requires strengthened solidarity and renewed political will. Senegal remains more committed than ever to an HIV response based upon equity and shared responsibility. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Senegal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. The Islamic Republic of Iran urges the international community to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Meanwhile, we must address the realities that continue to endanger human dignity and the right to health and the right to life. In this regard, unilateral coercive measures and economic sanctions, particularly those that impede access to medicine, medical equipment, diagnostic tools, and financial channels necessary for their procurement, impose a heavy humanitarian burden. Their consequences are measured not only in economic costs but in delayed treatment, interrupted care, and preventable loss of life among people living with HIV/AIDS. In Iran, UCM's impacts have been further aggravated by devastating consequences of the recent unprovoked 40-day war and unlawful attack by the US and Israeli regime against civilian and humanitarian infrastructure. Hospitals, health centers, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, and vaccine production sites have become targets of military action. Such attacks constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and undermine the very foundation of public health. Airstrikes on these humanitarian and health infrastructures not only caused huge immediate civilian casualties but also dismantled the medical supply chains upon which thousands of patients depend for survival. Behind the tragic loss of more than 3,000 lives, including 168 schoolchildren in Minob, the destruction of healthcare infrastructure and medical production capacities disrupted supply chains, limited access to anti- antiretroviral medicines and place people living with HIV/AIDS at a particular and heightened risk. The Islamic Republic of Iran calls for the strongest possible condemnation of attacks against protected civilian objects as grave violations of international humanitarian law. Their perpetrators must be held accountable and all available international mechanisms must be utilized to prevent impunity and respond to these war crimes and genocidal attempts. At this critical juncture, sustained and enhanced international support is not merely desirable, it is indispensable. Achieving the goal targets for ending AIDS require predictable financial resources, expanded technical cooperation, unhindered access to medicines and health technologies, and strengthen support for national health systems facing extraordinary challenges. The international community, including donor countries, international organizations, and development partners, We are a shared responsibility to ensure that nothing deprives people in vulnerable situations of life-saving treatment. We therefore call for a significant reinforcement of international assistance and solidarity mechanisms, particularly for countries whose healthcare capacities have been adversely affected by conflicts, sanctions, and destruction of medical infrastructure. Thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Bangladesh.

Madam President, We appreciate convening of this high-level meeting to renew our collective commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. While significant progress has been made, the global HIV response remains off track. Gaps in prevention, treatment, and financing underscore the urgency of accelerating our efforts. At the national level, we remain firmly committed to achieving SDG 3.3, and ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. We have maintained a low HIV prevalence rate of below 0.1% in the general population. We have adopted the Fifth National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS Response 2024 to 2029, which is a comprehensive roadmap for prevention, testing, treatment, care, and community engagement. Our government has established around 1.50 drop-in centers across the country to provide HIV-related health services. Mobile outreach services are also being utilized to expand access to HIV testing and awareness activities. Antiretroviral therapy is being delivered through designated treatment centers. In addition, we have strengthened surveillance, counseling, referral, peer education programs, pre-exposure and post-exposure treatment. Madam President, despite progress, stigma, new HIV cases, and resource constraints continue to hamper progress. In this regard, Bangladesh proposes the following: first, ensure full access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, particularly for those most at risk and most affected. Second, mobilize adequate, accessible, and predictable financing for strengthening national preparedness capacities. Third, strengthen multi-sectoral and country-led HIV responses. Fourth, enhance investment in prevention, surveillance, research, innovation, and community-based mechanisms. And finally, support developing countries through technology transfer, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and exchange programs, and ensure equitable access to affordable medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, including through the use of flexibilities available under the TRIPS Agreement. Madam President, success in ending AIDS by 2030 will depend on political will, international cooperation, solidarity, innovation, and sufficient investment. Bangladesh remains committed to working with all partners to ensure that no one is left behind towards a world free of AIDS. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Bangladesh. I now give the floor to The distinguished representative of Morocco.

Madame President, Excellencies, we gather today at a decisive moment. 45 years after the first reported cases of AIDS, 30 years after the establishment of UNAIDS, and as the 2030 deadline approaches, we must acknowledge a clear reality: the world has made significant progress, but not at the pace required. The achievements made over the past decades are undeniable. Since 2010, new HIV infections have decreased by 43%, AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 57%, and more than 32 million people now have access to treatment. These results reflect decades of commitment scientific progress, international solidarity, and above all, the resilience and courage of people affected by HIV. Yet we must also recognize with concern that the world has not achieved the 2025 targets. Excellencies, Morocco emphasizes the importance of diversifying sources and mechanisms of financing in order to ensure the sustainability and continuity of national programs while progressively reducing vulnerabilities resulting from excessive dependence on external funding. The link between access to treatment and the prevention of transmission is firmly established by science. A person receiving effective treatment protects both their own health and that of their community. This reality must continue to guide our public policies and contribute to breaking down the stigma and discrimination that still prevent too many people from accessing testing care and support services. At the same time, respect for the sovereignty of states in defining their national approaches remains a fundamental principle. A truly effective and sustainable response must be grounded in the cultural, social and epidemiological realities of each country. The universality of our objectives should not imply uniformity in the means to achieve them. Excellencies, Since 1988, and under the continued leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a national priority. This high-level commitment has enabled the development of a strong and inclusive national response supported by the government, public institutions, and the dynamic civil society, including the Moroccan Association for the Fight Against AIDS, a leading actor in our region. These efforts have delivered tangible results. The latest national estimates show that HIV prevalence in Morocco remains at low level. Antiretroviral treatment is provided free of charge and without conditions to all people living with HIV. Challenges remain, and we address them with full transparency and determination. The epidemic remains concentrated among certain populations, while stigma continues to represent a barrier to access to healthcare services. Morocco is responding through targeted programs, strengthened psychological support, and Cities Without AIDS initiatives across the country.

I thank the distinguished representative of Morocco. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay.

Madam President, Uruguay reaffirms its commitment to a comprehensive, equitable, and sustainable response to prevent and put an end to HIV/AIDS. In Uruguay, the response to HIV/AIDS is part of a public policy linked to the effective exercise of rights, equality of access, prevention of infection and sexual transmission, and the promotion of informed decision-making. This approach recognizes that public health and human rights are inseparable elements of an effective response. The National Comprehensive Health Care System provides health coverage for the entire population and allows for free access to antiretroviral treatment through the National Resource Fund. On top of that, there are norms and public policies that cover HIV prevention within a broader agenda aimed at guaranteeing the right to to sexual and reproductive health and comprehensive sex education, including access to information, methods of prevention, counseling, and programs aimed at reducing discrimination and stigma. Uruguay aligns its national response with its international commitments under UNAIDS. Early detection is one of our key areas of action through testing campaigns, the availability of tests, awareness raising among the population, and training for health teams. Madam President, the report of the Secretary-General reminds us that although historic progress has been made, that progress is fragile and is under pressure. Uruguay trusts that this high-level meeting will help renew the necessary political will to strengthen international solidarity to guarantee access to treatment and medical technologies and to identify innovative sources of financing. Moreover, we wish to reiterate Uruguay's full support for the work of UNAIDS, the WHO, and the PAHO, and we reiterate our work in favor of evidence-based public policies. We also recognize the role of communities and civil society organizations that work in the field. This is essential in order to bring services closer to the population, build trust, and combat stigma. In conclusion, I wish to say that to combat HIV/AIDS as an international community, we must be able to talk about sexual health clearly with responsibility and without prejudice, as also to join forces in support of the most vulnerable populations without stigma or taboos. An effective response requires being in line with science, international solidarity, and commitment to human rights. Uruguay will continue to be a partner country in these efforts. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Uruguay. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cabo Verde.

Thank you, Madam President. Cabo Verde aligns itself with the statement delivered by Malawi on behalf of the African Group and adds the following in national capacity. We have a concentrated low prevalence HIV epidemic around 0.6% in the general population. Yet prevalence is markedly higher among key populations and new infections continue to rise, particularly among young women, and within these key populations stigma remains a daily barrier. We are concerned that after years of relative stability, Cabo Verde is seeing an increase in new HIV cases.— concentrated among key populations. We cannot lower our guard, and prevention must remain at the center of our purpose alongside treatment. Antiretroviral coverage has reached 82%. Over 40,000 HIV tests were conducted last year. Coverage of antiretroviral therapy for HIV positive pregnant women stands at 100%, and more than 98% of pregnant women now access dual testing for HIV and syphilis through our sexual and reproductive health services. We are within the reach of certifying the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV, achieved even as international financial has declined. We welcome the Global AIDS Strategy and its call for sustainable country-led integrated responses. We are integrated— integrating HIV services within our sexual and reproductive health and rights frameworks. We like to underscore 3 priorities. One, international financing response remains indispensable. 2, equitable access to scientific innovations, including long-acting prevention tools, remains elusive. And 3, community-led organizations working with key populations central to our national response must be sustainably resourced. Cabo Verde reaffirms its full commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and to working with all partners to leave no one behind. A more complete text will be available on the platform. Thank you all for your attention.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cabo Verde. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom.

Thank you, Madam President. The United Kingdom welcomes this high-level meeting and its political declaration. The UK is proud to have contributed to the significant progress the world has made in tackling HIV over the past decades. Reducing transmissions by 65% since 1995 and deaths by 74% since 2004. This progress is particularly significant amongst children, where there's been a 69% reduction in transmissions since 2010. Each of these numbers reflects lives, people, and futures made possible, bringing hope to us all. This hope continues today, with new, innovative, long-acting antiretroviral technologies also offering transformative potential— improving adherence, reducing stigma, and expanding HIV services. The UK continues to support key partners in this work, including the Global Fund, World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UNAIDS. We also recognize the important roles that UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA play in delivering the response on the ground. But we are concerned about this progress reversing if we do not refocus our efforts to end AIDS and ensure no one is left behind. This is particularly critical for key populations and for women and girls. Engagement, inclusion, and partnership with these groups and others at the grassroots of the HIV response remains essential. Three things will be particularly important. First, we need to continue to work together, including across the UN, to strengthen health systems, prevent new infections, and end AIDS-related deaths. Second, we need stronger country-led sustainable responses. National, national leadership, integrated services, and efficient use of resources will be critical. And third, community-led organizations must remain at the heart of the response. Their leadership, resilience, and expertise are essential to reach those most in need and sustain long-term progress. And innovation and evidence will continue to underpin successful partnerships, working with key populations, addressing structural barriers created by stigma and discrimination, and tackling drivers of new transmissions. So colleagues, we must act with urgency to refocus our resources where they will have the greatest impact, and remain steadfast in our shared commitment to ending AIDS. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Madam Chair, Indonesia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Philippines on behalf of the Alliance Against Tuberculosis. The progress achieved since 2021 shows that ending AIDS is within reach. The world has recorded the lowest number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related death in 3 decades alongside expanded access to HIV services. As we adopt the political declaration, we must build on this momentum and accelerate our collective efforts. In this regard, Indonesia would like to highlight 3 points. First, national ownership is essential to translating commitments into meaningful action. Since 2022, Indonesia has strengthened its policy framework and the implementation of its National Action Plan. We have intensified community outreach, expanded active screening, and introduced online pre-test HIV counseling to improve access to testing and early diagnosis. Secondly, strengthening primary healthcare remains the foundation of an effective and sustainable HIV response. This should be supported by sustained and predictable financing. In Indonesia, over 12,000 health facilities provide HIV testing, while treatment is available in all HIV-testing-capable community health centers. Indonesia has also expanded same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation, multi-month ARV dispensing, and more accessible service delivery models. Third, international cooperation and partnerships remain indispensable. Amid growing pressures on global health financing, we must strengthen global solidarity, expand equitable access to HIV services, affordable medicines, diagnostic technologies, and promote sharing of knowledge and best practices and technology transfers, particularly for developing countries. We recognize the indispensable role of communities in raising awareness, reaching vulnerable populations, and supporting continuity of care. Indonesia therefore calls for renewed global solidarity and accelerated actions to achieve our shared goals of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. I thank you, Madam President.

I thank the distinguished representative of Indonesia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Côte d'Ivoire.

Madame la Présidente, la Côte d'Ivoire welcomes the holding of this high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS, which allows us to take stock of the progress achieved in implementing the goals we've set for 2025 and other commitments made in the political declaration of 2021. My delegation commends the efforts of the international community to combat HIV/AIDS, which is a threat to global public health, with a view toward its complete elimination by 2030 throughout the world. My country lines up with the declaration made by Malawi on behalf of the African group. I would like to add the following in its national capacity. Madam President, the fight against HIV/AIDS priority for all states throughout the world, especially for developing countries. This is why, on the leadership of His Excellency Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President of the Republic, my country is continuing to strengthen its health system and to improve equitable access to services for prevention, detection, treatment, and care. This commitment manifests through an increase of public investment in the healthcare sector, regular contribution to the Global Fund since 2016, as well as the voluntary contribution of €1 million to UNAIDS in 2013-2023. In addition, we've made significant progress in responding to HIV, with a reduction of 67% of new infections and 70% of deaths linked to AIDS since 2010, as well as an expansion of access to antiretroviral treatment, which has allowed us to considerably improve the quality and life expectancy of persons living with HIV. Despite this progress, which is encouraging, challenges remain, including achieving the 95×3 goal at the global level, reduction of international financing, increasing numbers of health, humanitarian, and climate crises, which are jeopardizing progress made over the past few decades. Madam President, no country can single-handedly resolve the HIV/AIDS challenge. Our collective success depends on our ability to maintain international solidarity to strengthen financing mechanisms and to guarantee equitable access to innovations when it comes to prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. As 2030 approaches, our country is prioritizing increasing do— investing in resource mobilization as well as universalizing healthcare to guarantee that every citizen has equitable and lasting access to health services. In closing, President Côte d'Ivoire reaffirms its unwavering commitment to eliminating HIV/AIDS, and we call on the international community to renew its political commitment, strengthening international solidarity and promoting partnerships through improved support to developing countries with a view toward completely eliminating this threat to public health. Together, we can transform this goal into reality. Thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Côte d'Ivoire. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

Señora Presidente.

Madam President.

More than 4 decades on from the beginning of the epidemic caused by HIV/AIDS, universal access to good quality health services continues to be a distant goal for millions of people. Inequalities, economic crises, conflicts, and unilateral coercive measures continue to limit international efforts aimed at putting an end to AIDS as a threat to public health. Cuba maintains firm political will and an unshakeable commitment to the protection of health as a fundamental human right. Our response to HIV is rooted in a universal national health system that is free and accessible based on primary care, prevention, early diagnosis, timely treatment, and active participation of communities and key population groups. Thanks to this comprehensive approach, we have managed to maintain favorable indicators Cuba continues to be the number one country in the world, the first country in the world validated by the WHO for having eliminated mother-child transmission, which has been sustained over the years. Moreover, we have maintained high levels of antiretroviral treatment and made progress in achieving the global goals related to viral suppression. However, these results that have already been achieved have been achieved in complex circumstances given the United Nations blockade against Cuba. The financial restrictions impede international transactions that are needed in order to purchase antiretroviral medicines, diagnosis tools, and other essential products for clinical treatment of persons living with HIV. However, these circumstances are now being exacerbated to extreme levels with the— energy siege and other secondary measures. The lack of fuel in the country has had a serious impact on our national health system and is having a direct impact on the response to HIV/AIDS. The blockade is gravely limiting the capacities of the national health system to guarantee treatment, equipment, and inputs for the treatment of chronic diseases, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other health conditions. Unilateral coercive measures are incompatible with global efforts aimed at guaranteeing health for all. Health cannot be the hostage of political interests. Madam President, Cuba reaffirmed its commitment to the political declaration on HIV/AIDS and the aim of putting an end to AIDS as a threat to public health. We will continue to promote a response based on equity, solidarity, international cooperation, and respect for the right to development and health of all peoples. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Cuba. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Panama.

Thank you very much, President. Panama recognizes that we are standing at a critical juncture for achieving the goal of eliminating HIV as a public health problem by 2030. Although considerable progress has been achieved at the global level, HIV continues to affect millions of people and continues to represent a challenge for public health, an obstacle to sustainable development,, and to the guaranteeing of the human rights of persons living with HIV and their families. In this context, Panama has made progress on its national response to HIV. Currently, 83% of people living with HIV in Panama are aware of their HIV status, 79% are in receipt of antiretroviral treatment, and 71% of those that are in treatment have achieved viral suppression. These results reflect our commitment to the Global Goals and to comprehensive person-centered care. Moreover, we have seen a reduction in HIV diagnosis levels, which demonstrates progress in our prevention strategies. This is the result of programs and policies that the Panamanian state has developed specifically to address the needs of the population living with HIV in the country. We would like to highlight the expansion of prevention services in various regions of the country, in particular through the establishment of a network of specialized clinics. We also highlight the implementation of pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP, in the country and the necessary changes to facilitate access to it. This has been possible thanks to the support of community organizations and strategic partners, including UNAIDS. Whose support has helped strengthen our technical and institutional capacities. President, unfortunately stigma and discrimination continue to be barriers that limit access to services and which are impacting the quality of life of people living with HIV. We recognize that the political declaration that we will approve today represents a commitment by the international community to eliminate this and other barriers that are impeding access to health services. In turn, it represents a strengthening of the international community's commitment to put an end to HIV/AIDS as a threat to public health. Panama reiterates its firm commitment to working together with the international community to accelerate progress towards the Global Goals. It is only through collective sustained action and solidarity that we will be able to make sure that no one is left behind. Thank you very much.

I thank the distinguished representative of Panama. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste.

Madam President, Excellencies, 25 years after the declarations of commitment on HIV/AIDS, global progress is remarkable. Millions of lives have been saved and treatment has expanded. Yet, the Secretary-General's report makes clear that the world remains on track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. For Timor-Leste, HIV requires sustained attention. While our country maintains a low prevalence rate of approximately 0.2%, progress cannot be taken for granted. Recording 93 new HIV cases During the first quarter of 2025 underscore the urgent needs to strengthen prevention and expanded testing. To guide this, our recent 2026 Demographic and Health Survey provide a critical national data on population-level HIV knowledge and testing behaviors. We believe response must be people-centered evidence-based, and grounded in human dignity. Overcoming stigma and discrimination is essential to reach those most at risk and ensure no one is left behind. Timor-Leste's commitment to expanding community awareness and ensuring services remains accessible and inclusive. We will continue working closely with civil society, UN agencies, and development partners. Madam President, allow me to highlight the following points. First, strengthening prevention, testing, and early diagnosis to reduce new infections and ensure that people living with HIV can access treatment without delay. Second, tackling stigma and discrimination, which continue to discourage individuals from seeking services and undermine efforts to reach those most at risk. Third, safeguard sustainable financial and international cooperation so that developing countries can maintain and expand HIV service at a time of growing resources constraints. Sustainable investment in prevention, innovation, health systems, and community-led response remain indispensable to achieving our shared goals and protecting hard-won gains. In closing, Timor-Leste looks forward to the adoption of the 2026 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. Together, we can realize our common aspirations of ending HIV/AIDS as a public health threat.

I thank the distinguished representative of Timor-Leste. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal.

President, Nepal welcomes the convening of this high-level meeting at a critical moment for global HIV response. The world has witnessed steady progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Between 2010 and 2024, new HIV infections declined by 40% and AIDS-related deaths by 54%. More than 31 million, 77% of global population living with HIV, are now receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy. These achievements demonstrate the power of political commitment, science, global partnership, and solidarity. Yet we remain off track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Persistent inequalities, financing gaps, stigma and discrimination, humanitarian crises, and the erosion of human rights threaten to reverse hard-won gains. While the tools to end AIDS exist, millions of people still lack access to prevention, treatment, and care. President, guided by Nepal's National HIV Strategic Plan 2021-2026,, we are advancing a rights-based, people-centered, and community-led response. We continue to expand access to testing, treatment, care, and prevention services while integrating HIV programs into primary healthcare, tuberculosis control, sexual and reproductive health services, and universal health coverage efforts. Through partnership with development partners, communities, women and youth organizations, networks of people living with HIV, Nepal has made progress in improving treatment access, retention in care, and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. However, challenges remain in reaching key populations and underserved communities. Stigma, social, economic, and geographic barriers continue to limit equitable access to essential services. For countries in special situations like Nepal, sustained international support remains vital. Predictable financing, resilient health systems, Investment in prevention and innovation, stronger national data capacities, technology transfer, and enhanced global and regional partnership are indispensable to achieving both national priorities and global commitments on HIV/AIDS. We also see immense potential in digital technologies, community-led approaches, and integrated health services to improve efficiency and expand outreach. The commitments we made in the Agenda 2030, 2021 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, A new Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 must now translate into concrete action, renewed solidarity, and shared responsibility. In closing, President, ending AIDS is not only a public health goal, it is a development imperative and a human rights obligation. To end AIDS, we must eliminate stigma and discrimination, strengthen gender equality, protect human dignity, and prioritize those furthest behind first. Nepal remains committed to working with all member states and partners to accelerate progress towards SDGs, achieve 95-95-95 targets, and realize a sustainable future free from AIDS. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Nepal. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia. Gracias.

Thank you, Madam President. At this critical juncture for the global response to HIV, we need a renewed response rooted in solidarity, scientific evidence, and human rights. Today, more than ever, we must preserve the spirit of national shared responsibility and multilateral shared responsibility to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, including SDG 3.3 on the elimination of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and to make sure that no one is left behind. We recognize that inequalities, stigma, and discrimination continue to drive the epidemic and that the people most affected should be at the heart of our work. In particular, gender inequalities, gender-based violence, and multiple forms of discrimination continue to limit access to prevention, treatment and care services with a disproportionate impact on women and girls in all of their diversity, as well as LGBTQ+ persons and key population groups. Moreover, it is essential to strengthen sexual and reproductive health services For that reason, we have made progress on eliminating barriers to guarantee effective access to health services by prioritizing key population groups and strengthening community participation mechanisms. Moreover, Colombia has made progress towards greater national ownership as well as the greatest sustainability of the HIV response. We have incorporated PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis, into our response plan funded with national resources, public resources, strengthening prevention and expanding access to reduce the number of new infections, as well as the combined prevention strategy which covers medicines, diagnoses, and new technologies. We consider that timely and accessible access, affordable access to new medicines is an essential condition to guaranteeing the right to health. For that reason, in 2023, the government of President Gustavo Petro—

I thank the distinguished representative of Colombia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Greece.

Thank you, Madam President. Greece aligns itself with the statement delivered by the European Union. We welcome the convening of this high-level meeting at a pivotal moment for the global response to HIV/AIDS. Considerable progress has been achieved over the past decades, saving millions of lives and transforming HIV from a fatal disease into a manageable chronic condition. Yet, Progress remains uneven, and the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is not guaranteed. Renewed political commitment, sustained investment, and international cooperation are therefore more necessary than ever. Guided by these principles, Greece has adopted the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets as the cornerstone of its National HIV Strategy. Recent data indicates that 91% of people living with HIV in Greece have been diagnosed, 73% are receiving treatment, and 94% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. While these figures reflect meaningful progress, they also remind us that further efforts are required to close remaining gaps and ensure equitable access for all. Greece remains committed to comprehensive, evidence-based, and human rights-centered approach. We continue to expand access to testing, treatment, and prevention services, including pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis, while strengthening community-based outreach and public health interventions. At the same time, We are working to address stigma and discrimination through education, awareness raising, and the promotion of inclusion and dignity for all persons living with or affected by HIV. We also recognize the importance of integrated responses that bring together efforts addressing HIV, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections thereby improving health outcomes and making more effective use of available resources. Madam President, the political declaration before us provides an opportunity to translate commitments into actions. Its success will ultimately be measured not by the promises we make today, but by the lives we improve tomorrow. Greece stands ready to continue working closely with UNAIDS, the World Health Organization, the Global Fund, civil society, and all Member States to advance a response grounded in science, solidarity, accountability, and human rights, leaving no one behind. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Greece. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative The representative of France.

Madame la Présidente.

Madame President, in 1983, two French scientists identified the immunodeficiency virus, and since then France has always been committed to fighting HIV/AIDS, guided by the belief that health as a fundamental right. This battle has never been one of governments alone. It is also the battle of scientists, doctors, and care workers, key populations, persons living with HIV, activists, associations. And this heritage, what we're honoring by continuing to promote rights, gender equality, dignity of people living with HIV, as well as equitable access to prevention, to detection, to treatment, and to essential care. Let us recall that nothing would have been possible without the crucial role of civil society. It must maintain this central role in our action. We are here because we believe in multilateralism, not out of habit, not by convenience, but because the progress achieved against HIV/AIDS over the past 40 years are one of the most poignant demonstrations of this works. This progress that we thought had already been achieved are now being jeopardized by inequalities, stigmatization, and discrimination. France will not accept this backsliding and its tragic consequences. At the end of 2024, 9.2 million people living with HIV still lacked access to treatment. 630,000 deaths linked to AIDS have been documented, or 2 times higher than the goal set for 2025. Each of these figures is a human life. We cannot underestimate, underestimate them or fail our collective duty to respond to this challenge. Actions of the Global Fund, UNAIDS, WHO, and other organizations and co-sponsors have helped to save millions of lives. This progress does not come by itself. It is the fruit of decades of political commitments and financing which we continue to provide, including through the declaration that we're adopting today, and which must reflect our ambition, our unchanging ambition. What we risk losing today is not just healthcare progress, it is also trust, expertise, and irreplaceable knowledge of those who every day are helping the most vulnerable, exposed, marginalized populations. The next few years will be decisive. We have the responsibility to end this battle and to honor our commitment to eliminate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. To achieve this, we must— and it is possible— we must unwaveringly defend fundamental rights, gender equality, and the full meaningful participation of communities. This is a battle not only to help people living with HIV or threatened by HIV, it also is a fight— microphone was cut off.

I thank the distinguished representative of France. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malaysia.

Madam President, over the past decade, Malaysia has made significant progress in addressing HIV through a people-centred and evidence-informed approach. New infections have declined substantially from their peak in the early 2000s, while access to treatment continues to expand. Today, more than 53,000 people living with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy, with treatment coverage reaching 95% among those diagnosed. Since 2018, we have also sustained the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, demonstrating our commitment to protecting future generations. Malaysia continues to expand prevention through HIV screening, community-based and self-testing initiatives, and the scale-up of pre-exposure prophylaxis. We are also leveraging digital health innovations to improve accessibility, particularly for those most in need. These achievements reflect strong government leadership, close collaboration with civil society and communities, and sustained investments in an integrated public health approach supporting universal health coverage. We also recognize that communities remain indispensable partners in reaching undeserved, underserved populations and ensuring that responses remain responsive to local needs. Malaysia believes effective HIV responses must be evidence-informed, people-centered, and aligned with national priorities and circumstances while respecting cultural context, religious values, and social norms. Such an approach promotes community ownership, acceptance, and sustainable outcomes. Malaysia appreciates member states' efforts in advancing negotiations on the Political Declaration. We look forward to its adoption. We believe the Declaration provides a useful framework for collective efforts toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. We welcome the Declaration's emphasis on sustainable financing, resilient health systems, community engagement, and equitable access to innovation. As global financing challenges grow, we call for renewed international solidarity, strengthened and continued support for countries facing transition challenges. At the same time, enhanced domestic ownership and resource mobilization remain essential to safeguarding progress. Malaysia stands ready to work with Member States, UNAIDS communities and partners to accelerate progress toward ending AIDS by 2030, leaving no one behind. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of Malaysia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Moldova.

Madam Vice President, the Republic of Moldova reaffirms its strong commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and expresses its sincere appreciation to the co-facilitators of the political declaration, the Permanent Representative of Georgia and Botswana, for their exemplary leadership and tireless efforts in guiding the negotiations to a successful conclusion. Today, the global HIV response stands at a critical crossroads. Remarkable advances in science, medicine and public health have brought the goal of ending AIDS closer than ever before. However, this progress is not irreversible. In many parts of the world, reduced funding, growing inequalities and increasing strain on health systems risk slowing or even reversing the gains achieved over the in the past decade. For the Republic of Moldova, sustainability is the defining challenge of the HIV response. As part of Eastern Europe, a region where new HIV infections continue to rise and the only region where AIDS-related deaths are still increasing, we know that progress cannot be taken for granted. It must be protected, financed, and embedded in resilient national systems. One of my country's Key achievements has been the continued prioritization of HIV prevention even in times of financial uncertainty and competing public health needs. For several years, around 30% of national HIV expenditure have been directed to prevent interventions. This reflects our firm belief that prevention is not a secondary element of the response. The Republic of Moldova has also worked to integrate HIV into broad health and development system. Our first integration national program on HIV 2026-2030 brings together prevention, testing, treatment, human rights, gender equality, and sustainable within one strategic framework. Madam Vice President, the greatest risk today is not the absence of effective tools, but the possibility that proven HIV interventions may disappear before national systems can fully absorb them. We therefore call for renewed global solidarity, sustainable financing, equitable access to innovation, including long-acting prevention technology, and continued support for community-led response. The Republic of Moldova remains committed to an HIV response that is integrated, suitable, people-centered, and grounded in human rights. Ending AIDS by 2030 will recur resources, but also resilient systems, empowered communities, and a shared commitment to leave no one behind. I thank you.

I thank the distinguished representative of the Republic of Moldova. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Liberia.

Madam President, Excellencies, Liberia aligns itself with the statement delivered by Malawi on behalf of the African Group and wishes to make the following remarks in its national capacity. While global progress Since 2021, political declaration is notable. Our collective gains remain profoundly fragile. Liberia. In Liberia, an estimated 36,000 people are living with HIV, representing an adult prevalence rate of 0.9. However, a deeper look reveals sharp disparities. Women account for nearly 60% of these cases, 21,000 individuals, underscoring that gender inequality and social vulnerabilities remain the primary drivers of the epidemic. Despite these structural hurdles, Liberia has made substantial leaps in clinical cascade. Today, 31,000 Liberians know their status, and through aggressive scale-up, 30,798 individuals are actively receiving anti— antiretroviral therapy. Crucially, 95% of these are on treatment and are virally suppressed. This is a monumental health milestone for our country. Yet, to safeguard these hard-won gains, sustainability is our greatest challenge as we confront To confront imminent declines in international donor financing, Liberia is not waiting. In May 2006, our National AIDS Commission launched a nationwide decentralization campaign, partnering directly with local government authorities to build internal accountability and actively mobilize domestic resources. Simultaneously, we have shifted our clinical model toward integration through the triple elimination strategy. By tackling the vertical transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B under a single unified maternal health framework, we are dismantling costly isolated health silos. Madam President, ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 demands predictable, sustainable international financing. Marked by equitable access to emerging medical innovations. For low-income nations, global solidarity is not a luxury. It is the baseline for survival. We must also decisively dismantle the stigma that still forces too many of our citizens to live in the shadows. Liberia stands ready to adopt an ambitious 2026 political declaration Let us transform our shared responsibility into collective action, ensuring that no country and no human being is left behind.

I thank the distinguished representative of Liberia. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt.

Madam President, Egypt attaches great importance to the international response to HIV/AIDS as a development and health priority. Egypt reiterates its full commitment to international obligations to end the pandemic by 2030. Egypt reiterates to the right of every human being without discrimination to enjoy the highest level of health by making healthcare accessible to all. Egypt continued over the past years to implement its national strategy to address HIV through promoting prevention and awareness frameworks and expand services of treatment and prevention and include and incorporate HIV response into national health system. In this connection, Egypt reiterates the importance of promoting national health systems and provide a conclusive healthcare system and invest in health infrastructure and scientific research and innovation to have more resilient health systems that are able to address different challenges. Madam President, Egypt stresses that respect Respecting national sovereignty and ownership of health programs are foundational in addressing global health challenges. Each country has its social, cultural, legal, and development-specific condition, and member states should maintain their sovereign right to address— to identify the needs and appropriate programs to implement international obligations according to their national legislations and policies. Egypt also reiterates the important role of family as a nucleus of community and its critical role in upbringing and social and psychological support and entrenching right behaviors. Therefore, supporting family is a central role in prevention of HIV and providing supporting environment to families and individuals affected and by the HIV/AIDS. Madam President, addressing and responding to HIV is not to be separated from the broader endeavors to achieve sustainable development and then poverty, improve health, enable societies. Development is a critical element in the effective response to global health challenges. Therefore, Egypt stresses the importance of enhancing international cooperation and supporting developing countries, in particular in Africa, by providing concessional funding and technology transfer, and improve the national production of diagnostic tools and the medications to narrow the gap in relation to access to health services and innovations. In conclusion, Egypt will continue its support and cooperation with international community to enhance efforts, and they might got cut off.

Egypt members will recall that at its 90th plenary meeting on 22nd June 2026, the Assembly decided to allow the representatives of the non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, civil society organizations, and the private sector listed in the letter of the President of the General Assembly dated 19 June 2026, in accordance with paragraph 12 of Resolution 80/256, to make a statement at the end of the 91st Plenary Meeting. The President was informed that the three representatives representatives listed in her letter were unable to join due to unforeseen circumstances. The President has now invited Mrs. Souange Baptiste, Executive Director of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, and Mr. Midnight Pongkasethavan Vatana, Executive Director of the EPCOM Foundation, to deliver statements in their place. I now give the floor to the representative of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition.

Thank you, Madam President, Excellencies. Mm, distinguished delegates. As someone who has spent far more time outside these rooms than inside of them, I sometimes find myself wondering whether the words spoken here truly change anything, whether the resolutions, the declarations, and the negotiations translate into meaningful change for the people who live their consequences every day. But as Karen reminded us yesterday, the decisions made in this room are not abstract. They shape whether people live or die. They shape whether innovation becomes access, and they shape whether hope becomes reality. Over the past few days, we have heard discussions about science, financing, community leadership, human rights, and innovation. And while much has been negotiated, much still depends on the choices we make. 25 years ago, we faced a choice. HIV treatment existed, but for millions of people, those medicines may as well have been on another planet. Communities challenged that reality. Governments, like you, acted. Markets changed, prices fell, and lives were saved. Same science, different choices. And because we made those choices, more than 30 million people are alive today who otherwise might not be. Today we face another moment like that. We have long-acting prevention technologies, we have extraordinary scientific advances, we can even begin to imagine a future where there's an HIV cure and a vaccine exists. For decades we have spoken about the importance of choice. We talk about the right of people to access treatment and prevention options that work best for them, the right of countries to make decisions based on public health needs, not the changing priorities of external politics or donors. Today, for the first time in history, many of those choices are becoming possible. But possibility is not the same as sustainability. Excitement is not the same as access. The question before us is whether— not whether innovation exists, it is whether we will make the choices necessary to ensure that innovation remains affordable, accessible, accessible and sustainable in the long term. Let us allow ourselves for a minute to imagine that future. Imagine with me a world where no parent fears losing a child to AIDS and no child fears being orphaned because of it. A world where HIV is no longer a public health threat and where the benefits of the breakthroughs belong to everyone. I also ask myself what will happen if we discover a cure tomorrow and cannot ensure that everyone benefits from it. Would we really call that success? Look, I do not expect any 3-minute speech to resolve the tensions we face or eliminate the difficult choices before us, but I do hope it reminds us of what those choices mean to the people in your countries whose lives depend on them.

Thank the representative of the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition. I now give the floor to the representative of APCOM Foundation.

Thank you, Madam President. Happy Pride, everyone. I would like to begin with some congratulations for the political leadership in the Asia-Pacific region. Cambodia being the first country to reach the 95-95-95 targets. The Philippines, in a landmark decision, has allowed same-sex couples to co-own property together. And the country that I come from, Thailand, now have same-sex marriage and also now we have inclusion of gender-affirming hormone therapy for transgender people as part of universal health scheme. We need more of this kind of political leadership. Now more than ever, because of devastating funding disruptions, have exposed how vulnerable the global HIV responses remain. Asia and the Pacific remains one of the world's last— second largest HIV epidemic, with around 7 million people living with HIV. Each year, estimated 280,000 people acquired HIV, and 120,000 die from AIDS-related illnesses. Fiji, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea are grappling with some of the world's last fastest rising HIV epidemic. This high-level meeting and the new political declaration must respond to this reality and truly drive the political choices needed to sustain and transform the HIV response. Prevention and community-led services remain heavily dependent on external international funding. Around 76% of HIV prevention spending in the region still comes from external sources, leaving outreach and community-led services for key populations exposed as international support declines. Coverage for pre-exposure prophylaxis is only 2.5%. That's right, very dismal data, 2.5%. Long-term sustainability requires more than replacing external funding. It means integrating HIV into universal health coverage, strengthening national systems, which includes community-led services, addressing societal barriers to services, and accelerating access to innovation. Targeted donor support remains critical in this situation, and funds must go to community-led services. Sustainability will only matter if services reach people who are stigmatized, discriminated against, and criminalized for their behavior, who they are, and who they love. The new UNAIDS report calls for integrated, differentiated, and people-focused services. What might seem like just another political declaration, it actually changes lives. What we are, here today with communities is because it really does change lives. So to leave with my last remark, nothing about us without us. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the APCOM Foundation. We have heard the last speaker for this meeting. Members are reminded that As decided on the 90th plenary meeting yesterday, the debate on the item will be suspended at 3 PM today to hear statements from the chairs of the panel discussions presenting summaries of the discussions and to proceed to the consideration of the draft resolution, on the understanding that the debate would continue after the action on the draft resolution. The meeting is adjourned.