UNAIDS at the 79th World Health Assembly

UNAIDS is heading to 79th World Health Assembly (#WHA79) taking place in Geneva from 18-23 May.   

This year’s World Health Assembly comes at a critical moment for the global AIDS response. The world is closer than ever to ending AIDS as a public health threat, yet that progress is at dire risk of being lost amid converging crises, widespread volatility and deepening inequalities. 

The landscape of the HIV response has changed dramatically, marked by shifts in health and HIV-specific funding and the overall aid architecture, mounting fiscal pressures, and a backlash against human rights.  

At the same time, the emergence of innovations and technologies offer exciting new opportunities to end AIDS, but only if political will and sustainable investment are maintained.  

UNAIDS main messages at the 79th World Health Assembly: 

1. The HIV epidemic is not over and there is an urgent need for global solidarity to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030—no country can do it alone.  

2. Ending AIDS is possible and a pathway exists through the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and through the upcoming United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS with the adoption of a powerful new Political Declaration on HIV.  

3. Progress must not be lost and sustainability is key. Investments must be made in HIV prevention, treatment and community leadership. Shifts to country ownership must be supported responsibly and responses must be based on evidence, human rights and be people focused, leaving no one behind 

SIDE EVENTS CO-HOSTED BY UNAIDS AT #WHA79

Saturday 16 May | 13:00 - 16:00 CEST

High-Level Ministerial Consultation on the Common African Position (CAP) to the High-Level Meeting on AIDS

Salle A, Building A, 1st Floor, WHO Headquarters
 
To strengthen Africa’s collective voice ahead of the 2026 UN High-Level Meeting on AIDS, the African Union Commission (AUC), with the support of UNAIDS, is leading the development of a Common African Position (CAP). The CAP will guide Africa’s negotiations on the 2026–2031 UN Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS and ensure that the continent’s priorities, ownership, and long-term development vision under Agenda 2063 are reflected in global commitments.

This ministerial consultation, convened on the margins of the World Health Assembly, will review and adopt the CAP following regional expert consultations.
 
Organizers: African Union Commission (AUC) with the support of UNAIDS


Tuesday 19 May | 08:30 - 10:30 CEST

One Vision, One Future: Shaping the Next Chapter of Health Financing in Africa  

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Geneva 

This dialogue aims to advance delivery on both the Accra RESET and the African Union Africa Leadership Meeting Declaration, leveraging all related initiatives, by addressing four interconnected questions:   

1. What does political leadership for health financing sovereignty require? 

2. What political, fiscal, and institutional realities constrain this leadership? 

3. What concrete actions can be taken now? 

4. How can continental accountability be strengthened? 

For onsite or virtual participation, please register here by Friday, 15 May, 18:00 CET.  

Organized by: the governments of Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa, Spain and Japan, the African Union Commission, the European Union Commission and the AfroChampions Initiative. Supported by WHO, UNAIDS, the Global Fund and AFHIA. 

Contact: Sandra Orcí Gutiérrez - [email protected]  

Wednesday 20 May | 07:00 - 09:00 CEST

Creating a Shared Vision to Advance Triple Elimination of HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B: Commitment or Complacency?  

UNAIDS Kofi A. Annan room, 20 Av Appia, 1211 Geneva

The World Health Assembly offers a decisive moment to energize global leadership and convert policy and funding commitments into accelerated action on triple elimination (Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B). 

The high-level roundtable will review global and regional continental structures working on triple elimination and discuss how efforts can rapidly align.  

Organized by: The Business Council for International Understanding, UNAIDS, Abbott and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation 

Invitation only

Inequality-Pandemic Leadership Dialogue

Kofi A. Annan Room, 20 Av Appia, 1211 Geneva 

Drawing on recommendations from the recently published Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics report Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle: Building true health security in a global age, this conversation will seek to identify synergies among countries on inequalities and create opportunities for collaboration on a global policy agenda aimed at reducing the inequalities undermining health security globally.  

Organized by: UNAIDS and the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics 

Invitation only


Wednesday 20 May | 18:30 - 20:30 CEST 

The Value Collection 

Red Cross Museum, Av. de la Paix 17, 1202 Genève 

A curated immersive exhibition that illustrates the multi-faceted value of co-created, flexible service delivery models. Personal reflections, physical objects and video storyboards will concretize how community voice, healthcare innovation and multi-sectoral partnerships are enabling people-centered primary healthcare.  

Organized by: Harvard Medical School, International Alliance of Patients’ Organizations, UNAIDS and Roche 

All WHA delegates are welcome to attend the exhibition. Register here.  

HOW YOU CAN ENGAGE  

• Follow @UNAIDS  

• Follow all events at the World Health Assembly  

• Bring the dialogue to your local community and your local leaders  

• For more information please contact: [email protected]