Time to read
Last month I was in Casablanca for the AIDS Impact conference which explored the psychological aspects of HIV. But with the conference coming at a time of real crisis for the global HIV response, it wasn’t business as usual.
Just days before the conference, modelling by the Burnet Institute laid out a bleak forecast. If planned cuts to global HIV funding from major Government donors go ahead, we could see up to 2.9 million additional HIV-related deaths, and 10.8 million new HIV acquisitions by 2030 in low and middle income countries.
Throughout the conference, we heard powerful accounts of the tragic impacts these cuts are already having. For example, Michel Kazatchkine, former Executive Director of the Global Fund, highlighted how countries that had been preparing for a gradual, managed transition away from external funding are instead experiencing sudden, brutal cuts which are hitting the most marginalised the hardest.
Vital role of community leadership
And yet, amid a global funding crisis, the conference reminded us what’s possible and what has been central to the progress seen over the decades. We heard examples of powerful, community-led work – challenging inequalities, supporting underserved communities and driving progress in countries’ HIV response.
For example, Susan Cole, CEO of Phoenix Health Movement, in her plenary presentation highlighted how community-led organisations working in the UK – like 4M Net – are tackling gender inequalities. Positive East showcased brilliant work from London including research into the treatment journeys of Black African women, and work focused on improving the quality of life for people ageing with HIV.
The Middle East and North Africa is one of the few regions globally where HIV incidence is rising. But despite enormous challenges, we heard how Moroccan civil society organisations like ALCS (Association de Lutte Contre le Sida) are doing critical work like securing and expanding access to PrEP, supporting key populations, and providing psychosocial care in an often challenging political environment.
But under the backdrop of both global funding cuts and the legacy of UK austerity measures, that vital role of community organisations is under serious threat. During the conference, I was pleased to present the findings from HIV Outcomes UK’s report, HIV services at the crossroads which warns a voluntary sector funding crisis threatens UK’s 2030 HIV targets and support for people living with HIV.
The Global Fund’s eight replenishment gives us a critical opportunity to mitigate the global crisis and support community-led and person-centred responses in low and middle income countries. National AIDS Trust has supported STOPAIDS and global partners in calls for the UK Government to make a strong pledge and continue their leadership in global health.
Putting people first
Presentations also explored how we can embed person-centred approaches across HIV prevention, treatment and support.
One highlight was the symposium that HIV Outcomes hosted with the European AIDS Treatment Group on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). PROMs improve communication between clinicians and people living with HIV; generate valuable data on the challenges people living with HIV face; and drive high-quality care that is patient-centred, equitable, and accessible. The session discussed how despite the wide variety of PROMs tools available, there’s a lack of consensus on what should be measured and how to embed this into routine care.
Over the coming months, HIV Outcomes will be working to build agreement on what matters most to measure, and how PROMs can be meaningfully integrated into HIV care pathways.
Taking a person-centred approach means truly listening to, learning from, and elevating the voices of communities that have historically been excluded or overlooked in the HIV response. One powerful example of this was a standout symposium from CHIVA, showcasing the Positively Spoken oral history project. This project captured the life stories of young people born with HIV, and these stories are now archived in the British Library.
Learning from our global partners
Hearing speakers from across the world, it was striking how much the UK can learn from other nations. For example, presentations highlighted how programmes in other countries have successfully expanded access to PrEP, and used digital tools to improve care for people living with HIV.
There was so much more at AIDS Impact 2025 than I could possibly include in this blog so I’d really encourage everyone to visit the conference website and connect with partners leading change across the world.
Looking ahead to the next UK Government HIV Action Plan for England and the 10 Year Health Plan, our Government and the UK’s HIV sector should be actively seeking to learn from the successes and challenges in other countries.
The power of the HIV movement
Yes, we are facing a crisis but the HIV movement has been here before. Time and time again, the HIV movement has been fuelled by the leadership, resilience and drive of those most affected. The pressure that our communities and the HIV response is facing is immense – but so is the power of community-led responses.
Edwin Bernard, CEO of the HIV Justice Network, shared powerful remarks in his plenary presentation:
“The HIV justice movement was born out of crisis, but it is sustained by hope… This movement belongs to all of us. And together, even with dwindling resources and some formidable enemies, I believe we can still create a world where justice is not just a concept, but a lived reality for every person living with HIV.”
We need that hope now more than ever. And we need Government action and targeted investment to go with it.