NEW YORK — The United Nations General Assembly will convene a high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS at its headquarters in New York on June 22 and 23, bringing together member states, civil society and other stakeholders to review progress and adopt a new political declaration on the global response.
The meeting, held every five years since 2001, will assess advancements since the 2021 high-level meeting and shape commitments aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, according to UNAIDS. It follows the adoption of resolution A/RES/80/256 by member states on April 24, 2026.
Preparatory events have included an interactive multi-stakeholder hearing on May 14, 2026, which allowed input from civil society, non-governmental organizations and affected communities. The meeting will feature an opening segment, general debate and thematic panels over the two days.
Under the theme “United to end AIDS,” discussions will draw on the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031 and evaluate progress toward 2025 targets. The outcome is expected to be a new Political Declaration outlining renewed global commitments.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima has highlighted the importance of the gathering. “It is at that meeting that governments will be recommitting to a progressive, actionable political declaration to steer the world in the right direction, setting ambitious targets for 2030, a direction that could save millions of lives and end AIDS as a public health threat,” she said during a briefing.
The event occurs amid ongoing challenges in the global HIV response, including access to prevention and treatment services, with particular attention to marginalized populations. Side events organized by member states and partners will run in parallel.
Health ministers, heads of state or their representatives, and leaders from international organizations are expected to participate in the general debate. The meeting builds on previous political declarations from 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021.
As of June 11, 2026, final arrangements for participation and side events continue to be finalized by the President of the General Assembly and UNAIDS. Details on specific outcomes or attendance figures remain subject to updates closer to the dates. Officials said coordination with all stakeholders is ongoing to ensure inclusive representation.
