By 
Zambia has called for renewed global solidarity, sustainable financing and strengthened international cooperation to sustain progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS and accelerate efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary, Dr. George Sinyangwe reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to working with the international community in degrading HIV to levels where it ceases to be a public health threat by 2030.
Sinyangwe said this when he delivered Zambia’s national statement during the 2026 High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in Washington, United States of America, according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday.
He highlighted that Zambia hasd attained the epidemiological goals of HIV control set by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) at 98,98,97, reflecting significant progress in HIV diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression.
“Zambia continues to face several challenges, including rising HIV incidence among young people, the emergence of drug resistance, emergence of non-communicable diseases and contraction in external financing,” Sinyangwe noted.
He appealed for continued international support to HIV response and underscored the need for global leaders to unite the way they united two decades ago to pool funding to respond to HIV.
“Failure to renew global commitment to the HIV response could lead to increased drug resistance, premature deaths, reduced life expectancy and loss of productivity,” Sinyangwe said.
He also highlighted Zambia’s growing capacity in training healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, and expressed the country’s readiness to collaborate with other nations in strengthening health workforce development.
Opening the meeting, President of the General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock underscored that while global solidarity and multilateral action had transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition, progress was increasingly threatened by shrinking funding.
Read More: Cooperating partners seek decisive action in 2027–2029 health budget plan
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed highlighted the need to close treatment gaps, protect human rights, strengthen community leadership and secure sustainable financing to safeguard progress.
Executive Director of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Winnie Byanyima, warned that declining development assistance and shrinking civic space could undermine global efforts to end AIDS.
The Zambian delegation was led by Dr. Sinyangwe, and included Zambia’s Permanent Representative, Dr. Chola Milambo, National AIDS Council Director General, Dr. Kebby Musokotwane, alongside other senior officials.
The meeting is convened every five years since 2001 and serves as the principal global political and accountability platform for reviewing progress in the global HIV response and renewing commitments towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
It is reviewing implementation of the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and will consider a new Political Declaration that will guide international efforts over the next five years.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments