Global HIV Prevention Quarterly Newsletter

The second quarter of 2025 was marked by renewed momentum and mobilisation across the HIV prevention landscape. As the world faces both a surge in innovation and a contraction in financing, countries and communities are mobilising to protect hard-won gains and accelerate progress toward 2030 targets.

This quarter, the Global HIV Prevention Coalition celebrates political leadership, long-acting prevention tools showing unprecedented potential, bold national strategies, and the rise of youth- and community-led action. Highlights include a landmark High-Level Dialogue at the World Health Assembly, major prevention advances in Latin America, new efforts to support transition in Africa, and bold youth engagement initiatives in Ghana. We also spotlight the renewal of the South-to-South Learning Network as a platform for collective innovation in the HIV prevention space. As AVAC warns, however, the field risks an “innovation pile-up” unless delivery systems and financing mechanisms evolve fast enough to bring these tools to the people who need them most.

Global leaders convene to expand access to prevention innovation amidst funding cuts

On 21 May 2025, the GPC convened a landmark High-Level Multisectoral Leadership Dialogue on HIV Prevention on the margins of the 78th World Health Assembly. Themed "Accelerating Access to Long-Acting Technologies", the event gathered Ministers of Health, UN agencies, donors, civil society and pharmaceutical leaders to galvanise support for urgent scale-up of new tools like lenacapavir and cabotegravir, amidst rising concern over global funding cuts.

Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, issued a powerful call to action, urging leaders to "seize this moment" or risk millions more infections and deaths. National leaders responded with bold examples: Brazil reaffirmed its commitment to scaling HIV prevention tools, setting a regional model. Mozambique, China, and Zimbabwe showcased how resilient health systems and strong domestic ownership can sustain progress even under financial constraints. The Philippines outlined its shift to a sustainable, country-owned prevention system that expands access to innovative tools. Ghana presented a comprehensive and forward-looking strategy built on community leadership, gender-responsive innovation, and strong accountability frameworks—including rollout of the dapivirine vaginal ring in 2025 and preparations for long-acting PrEP options like cabotegravir and lenacapavir.

Community leaders and private sector representatives reinforced the imperative to ensure long-acting options reach all who need them—especially young women and marginalised populations. The session closed with a global call to action for international solidarity and investment to ensure HIV prevention remains central to the public health agenda.

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Regulatory Milestone: FDA Approves Long Acting Lenacapavir for HIV Prevention

In May 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved long acting lenacapavir for PrEP, the first product offering six months of protection against HIV acquisition. This bi-annual, long-acting option is a game-changer for individuals who struggle with daily pill regimens.

The approval is based on results from the PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2 trials, which showed high at least 96% efficacy among cisgender women, cisgender men and trans and gender diverse individuals across multiple countries. As the first six-monthly injectable PrEP product, lenacapavir adds a vital new tool to the HIV prevention arsenal — with the potential to expand choice, improve adherence, and increase impact.

UNAIDS welcomed the decision while calling on Gilead Sciences to make lenacapavir affordable.  Currently priced at over $28,000 per person per year in the U.S., generic production costs of lenacapavir could be as low as $35–$46 per person-year—and potentially as low as $25 with a committed global demand of 5–10 million people, according to new research.  

• FDA Approval Release 

• UNAIDS Statement Urging Fair Pricing 

• AVAC Long-Acting PrEP Dashboard for information about product approvals, volumes, implementation, and price comparisons of LA-PrEP.

For more information on currently available options for HIV prevention, newly approved and recommended treatment, and those in development, please check the AVAC infographic on the HIV Prevention Pipeline.

WHO launched new Guidelines on lenacapavir for HIV prevention and testing strategies for long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis

Modelling Shows the Potential of Long-Acting PrEP

On 5–6 June 2025, UNAIDS and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation co-convened a high-level Consultation on the Projected Impact of Long-Acting-PrEP in London. The meeting brought together global experts to identify robust modelling approaches that countries can use to estimate the health and economic impact of LA-PrEP—particularly lenacapavir.

Early modelling suggests lenacapavir could have an important impact on the HIV epidemic, if introduced into comprehensive HIV prevention programmes and if it is accessible to those who need it most. In epidemics with a high HIV prevalence, such as South Africa, providing PrEP to 5% of the adult population could avert 25-35% of new HIV infections. In concentrated epidemics, such as the Philippines, providing lenacapavir to 58% of people at most risk could avert 45% of new HIV infections. a primary driver of impact. However, cost will be a critical factor: for many countries, lenacapavir would need to be available at $40–$60 per person per year to be cost-efficient, with variations by setting.

The consultation also confirmed that existing modelling platforms such as GOALS and PrEP-IT are appropriate tools to support country planning.  A summary of the meeting’s findings will be published on the UNAIDS and GPC websites soon.

Webinar Highlight: Expanding Access to Long Acting PrEP

On 26 June 2025, The Choice Agenda hosted a timely webinar on “Embracing Task Shifting and Innovation to Support Expanded Access to LA-PrEP.” The session showcased real-world examples from Malaysia, South Africa, and the U.S., highlighting how innovative service delivery models—led by pharmacists, nurses, and peer navigators—are expanding access to LA-PrEP, including cabotegravir and lenacapavir. 

Key takeaways: 

• • Task shifting is critical: Countries like Malaysia are piloting pharmacist-led PrEP delivery, while the U.S. and South Africa are scaling mobile and home-based services staffed by nurses, medical assistants, and community providers. 

• • Retention and satisfaction are high: Pilot programmes report strong adherence, high user satisfaction, and demand for privacy, convenience, and dignity in PrEP services. 

• • Policy and training matter: Sustainable scale-up will require regulatory support, robust training, and inclusive care models that centre client choice and community engagement.

    
    

    Webinar slides and resources

New Tools to Support Prioritization in the Context of HIV Funding Cuts

In response to the urgent need for more efficient and sustainable HIV prevention programming amid declining donor support, UNAIDS and the GPC have developed a new package to support countries in prioritizing and sustaining HIV prevention efforts, including a framework and an accompanying planning and costing tool. 

The package provides practical guidance to help countries: 

• • Identify priority populations, locations, and interventions; 

• • Make cost-effective, high-impact choices using simplified prevention denominators; 

• • Align programmatic targets with available resources while preserving equity and impact; 

• • Plan for transition and sustainability under national financing frameworks. 

This package is to be used to inform national discussions, especially in countries affected by funding disruptions. The GPC is available to support countries in applying this tool, tailoring it to their context, and using it in investment planning, roadmap updates, or donor engagement processes. 

Supporting Prioritization in the Context of HIV Funding Cuts | GPC

HIV Prevention at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board   

The 56th UNAIDS PCB meeting, held in Geneva in June 2025, underscored HIV prevention as a central pillar of the global AIDS response. Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, emphasized the urgent need to close the US$ 9.5 billion funding gap, particularly in under-resourced regions, and called for scaling up political and financial commitments. A major focus was placed on the game-changing potential of long-acting HIV prevention tools such as injectable Cabotegravir and six-monthly Lenacapavir, which could substantially reduce new infections if made accessible and affordable. Delegates stressed that prevention efforts must be equitable and community-led, integrating biomedical advances with rights-based approaches to address stigma, discrimination, and legal barriers.

Importantly, the Board adopted Decision 5.3, urging Member States and partners to fast-track measurable actions towards the 2030 prevention targets for children and adolescents. These include scaling up integrated, people-centred HIV prevention services, especially those led by communities and youth, and strengthening data systems to better guide prevention efforts. These directions will be foundational to the next Global AIDS Strategy (2026–2031), which will maintain a strong focus on prevention, sustainability, and community leadership.

Sustainable Prevention Models for Key Populations: Highlights from the 12th Key Populations Community of Practice Webinar

On 3 July 2025, the South-to-South HIV Prevention Learning Network (SSLN) organized the 12th Key Populations Community of Practice (KP CoP) webinar to explore scalable and sustainable HIV prevention programme models for key populations in diverse contexts.  

The event, co-hosted by the GPC, brought together global experts, WHO and UNAIDS representatives, country programme leads, and community voices.

WHO presented an analysis of global evidence outlining the critical enablers of scalable key populations service models and shared the new operational guidance to support the prioritisation and sustainability of HIV, VH, and STI services, emphasising the importance of differentiated delivery, integration into public systems, and community leadership. UNAIDS highlighted progress on the KP-inclusive Global Sustainability Roadmap, urging stronger inclusion of key population programmes in national financing and accountability mechanisms. 

Country insights showcased innovation in action: 

• • Australia shared human rights-based and community-driven models supported by enabling policy environments. 

• • Brazil emphasised municipal leadership and zero discrimination in key populations service delivery. 

• • Moldova presented real-time and digital community-led monitoring within the national health system. 

• • Nigeria focused on domestic financing and systems strengthening. 

• • Thailand highlighted a transition to community-led health services. 

• • Zimbabwe advocated for differentiated integration tailored to KP communities’ diverse needs. 

• Community voices from AfricaNPUD and Mozambique called for urgent legal and financial reforms to enable meaningful community-led service delivery.

  
  

This session reinforced the need to localise, integrate and sustain key population programmes as part of broader prevention strategies, particularly amid evolving funding landscapes.

Speakers presentations and recording.

Latin America Leads on Integration and Scale-Up

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, members of the GPC are driving bold, innovative, and sustainable HIV prevention strategies across Latin America. This quarter highlights significant progress from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico—countries that are not only adapting their national HIV responses to local realities, but also aligning with global targets and evidence-based approaches.

Brazil continues to lead Latin America in advancing comprehensive HIV prevention, combining behavioral, biomedical, and structural approaches. Led by the Department of HIV, AIDS, Tuberculosis, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (DATHI/MoH), and in collaboration with UNAIDS, civil society, academia, and other strategic partners, the country has achieved a remarkable 66% reduction in new HIV infections since 2010. During the High-Level Multisectoral Leadership Dialogue on HIV Prevention convened by the Global HIV Prevention Coalition ahead of the 78th World Health Assembly, Brazil was highlighted as a model for scaling up access to long-acting prevention technologies and fostering sustainable prevention systems. Dr. Mariângela Simão emphasized the rapid expansion of PrEP: from an initial target of 50,000 users by 2025 to over 122,000 today, with a new goal of reaching 300,000 users by next year. Cities with high PrEP coverage are already showing declines in HIV incidence. Brazil's comprehensive response also includes free condom distribution, widespread HIV testing and counseling, stigma reduction, integration of STI services, harm reduction for people who use drugs, and a commitment to community-centered and evidence-based strategies—such as the planned rollout of long-acting injectable prevention options and the national submission for the elimination of vertical transmission of HIV in 2025.

Mexico has institutionalised an integrated HIV and hepatitis C strategy, backed by major procurement reforms and cost savings of 85 million USD. These resources have expanded PrEP, PEP and launched a hepatitis C elimination plan.

Colombia published its Combination HIV Prevention Roadmap (2024–2025), a product of wide stakeholder collaboration. Anchored in national ownership and aligned with GPC goals, the roadmap sets ten strategic priorities for an accelerated HIV response.

Youth at the Centre: Ghana's National Framework 

With youth making up 40% of its population, Ghana is putting young people at the centre of its HIV response. On 25 April 2025, Ghana validated its National Youth HIV Prevention Framework through a national stakeholder workshop led by the Ghana AIDS Commission and UNFPA. UNAIDS and the GPC contributed technical guidance to ensure youth needs, voices and intersectional realities were fully reflected. Key priorities include: 

• • Promoting peer-to-peer approaches to ensure comprehensive and relatable service provision 

• • Leveraging digital technologies and creative, youth-friendly content to expand outreach and engagement 

• • Emphasizing confidentiality and privacy in service delivery 

• • Supporting youth-led initiatives to ensure young people are at the forefront of the response  

• • Challenges remain around accountability, data protection and sustainable tool access—but Ghana’s leadership is a strong step forward.

Frontline AIDS Transition Initiative: Responding to Donor Withdrawals

Amidst sharp cuts to global HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) funding, Frontline AIDS launched the Transition Initiative in May 2025 to safeguard the future of vital services in five African countries: Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. 

The initiative aims to empower civil society organisations and communities to shape the transition of HIV services from donor-funded programmes to nationally led systems. By supporting established civil society advocacy coalitions with access to national decision-making spaces, the Transition Initiative seeks to ensure that HIV prevention remains a central pillar in transition planning. 

Key areas of focus include:  

• Advocating for increased domestic health financing 

•  Promoting the integration of HIV and SRHR into universal health coverage frameworks 

•  Establishing social contracting mechanisms to enable government partnerships with NGOs 

The initiative is closely aligned with the UNAIDS Sustainability Roadmaps and global efforts to secure long-term financing and policy change. At its core, the Transition Initiative envisions a future where local communities lead, and governments are strong, accountable partners, ensuring equitable access to prevention, treatment, and care for all. 

SSLN Enters New Planning Phase 

The South-to-South HIV Prevention Learning Network (SSLN) has entered an exciting new planning phase through November 2025, following five years of impactful implementation. Recognised as a vital regional catalyst for HIV prevention, the SSLN has served as a trusted platform for translating global insights into country-level action, fostering cross-country dialogue, and enabling innovative thinking. 

In this next phase, the SSLN is partnering closely with the GPC to reimagine the future of HIV prevention. A curated consultative process will be launched with Country Champions, alongside the creation of an Ideation Hub to generate and refine new approaches to national prevention responses. 

The outcomes of this process will directly inform the development of the next Global AIDS Strategy (2026–2031), led by UNAIDS, ensuring that the voices and innovations from the Global South are central to shaping global direction.

Publications in the first quarter of 2025

For any comments or questions on the above, please contact us at [email protected].

Kind regards,

Global HIV Prevention Coalition Secretariat | UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS | 20, Avenue Appia CH-1211 Geneva 27. Switzerland.

About the GPC

In 2017, a global coalition of United Nations Member States, donors, civil society organizations, and implementers was established to support global efforts to accelerate HIV prevention.  Membership includes 38 of the highest HIV-burden countries, UNAIDS Cosponsors, donors, civil society, and private sector organizations. The overarching goal of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition is to strengthen and sustain a political commitment to primary prevention by setting a common agenda among key policy-makers, funders, and programme implementers.