UNAIDS at the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA)

At the 23rd International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) being held in Accra, Ghana, between 3-8 December 2025, key stakeholders in the global HIV response, including the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), will convene to discuss the latest developments in Africa’s quest to end AIDS as a public health threat. The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima will lead UNAIDS’ delegation to the conference, supported by Deputy Executive Director Angeli Achrekar, thematic teams and regional and country teams. 

Cuts to international assistance for HIV have affected HIV prevention, treatment and community-led services and jeopardized future progress towards eliminating new HIV infections among children across sub-Saharan Africa. 

At ICASA, UNAIDS will call for the safeguarding of the global HIV response with continued support from the international community. UNAIDS also urge African leaders to accelerate efforts to strengthen and sustain their national HIV responses through political commitment and domestic investments. UNAIDS will also call for the strengthening of community led services and for a rights-centred response to HIV. 

UNAIDS key message at ICASA

1. Stabilising Africa’s HIV Response Amid Disruptions

Supporting countries and communities as they navigate ongoing programme and systems disruptions. UNAIDS will call for the need for political leadership, sustained financing and resilient service delivery solutions to protect progress towards ending AIDS.

2. African Leadership and the Global AIDS Strategy​

African political leadership is essential to safeguarding progress in the HIV response. The Africa Group is encouraged to champion the Global AIDS Strategy and targets, while reinforcing the Joint Programme’s role in ensuring coherent, inclusive and multisectoral national responses during the transition.

3. Innovation, Technology Access and Health Sovereignty​

Scientific breakthroughs, including long-acting prevention and treatment, can end AIDS, but only if they reach all who need them. UNAIDS calls for universal, affordable and stigma-free access through equitable policies and shared global response.

4. Strengthen African Manufacturing and Health Sovereignty​

Africa’s future depends on reducing reliance on external supply chains. The Joint Programme champions African production, regional cooperation and technology transfer to make innovation sustainable, accessible and resilient.

5. Communities Lead and Systems Endure​

Communities continue to drive resilience and innovation despite funding cuts and discrimination. Their leadership, expertise, and lived experience are essential to progress.
 

To view the full schedule of UNAIDS’ activities at ICASA: