Youth LEAD at the 57th UNAIDS PCB: Community Leadership at the Heart of the Global AIDS Strategy
From 16 to 18 December 2025, Youth LEAD participated in the 57th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) meeting held in Brasilia, Brazil. Representing Youth LEAD as part of the NGO Delegation of Asia-Pacific to the PCB, Jeremy Tan Fok Jun, our Programme Officer, delivered a powerful intervention during Agenda Item 4 Consideration of the Global AIDS Strategy 2026–2031.
The report United Towards Ending AIDS: The Global AIDS Strategy for 2026–2031 comes at a critical moment, as the global HIV response faces shrinking funding, reduced civic space, and growing political uncertainty. In this challenging context, the strategy provides an important framework to guide countries through a rapidly changing reality. Its three priority areas highlight what is needed to move forward: a country-led, resilient, and future-ready response; people-focused services grounded in equity, dignity, and access; and strong community leadership at the heart of the HIV response. Together, these priorities recognise that ending AIDS will not be possible without sustained political commitment and the meaningful inclusion of communities.
In his intervention, he highlighted that while the new strategy may help some countries maintain their progress, it may be difficult or impractical to implement in others due to limited capacity and resources. Without increased domestic investment and stronger community engagement, this risks widening inequalities and reversing gains made in the HIV response. He stressed that a country-led response cannot be achieved without investment in community-led responses. Social contracting was emphasised as a critical mechanism to support community-led and civil society organisations and to ensure continuity, reach, and accountability in HIV services.
He called on Member States and UNAIDS to translate the strategy into concrete action by protecting civic space, institutionalising social contracting, protecting human right and gender equality, and ensuring meaningful community leadership in decision-making. He reaffirmed the role of civil society and the NGO delegation as both partners and accountability holders of the Global AIDS Strategy, committed to ensuring it delivers on its promise to end AIDS by 2030 and leaves no one behind.
As part of our commitment to transparency and youth engagement, Youth LEAD and the NGO Delegation will host a report-back webinar in Jan 2026 to share highlights from the 56th PCB, including key decisions, community interventions, and next steps.
Stay connected with Youth LEAD and the NGO Delegation to UNAIDS for more updates, and follow us on our social media platforms for the webinar announcement.
Together, we continue to ensure that youth voices remain present, powerful, and heard in the global HIV response.
Jeremy Tan Fok Jun
Asia Pacific, NGO Delegation to PCB