On 1st December, WHO, together with communities and partners will commemorate World AIDS Day 2023, under the theme “Let communities lead”.
Communities living with, and affected by, HIV, networks of people from key populations and youth leaders have been, and continue to be, essential for progress in the HIV response. They provide essential prevention, testing and treatment support services, build trust, generate innovative solutions, promote health, monitor the implementation of policies and programmes, and hold providers accountable.
The world can end AIDS with communities leading the way. That is why the theme for World AIDS Day this year is ‘Let communities lead’, and much more than a celebration of the achievements of communities, it is a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles.
On World AIDS Day 2023, WHO celebrates and recognizes the invaluable contributions of communities in leading the response to HIV.
World AIDS Day 2023 in Geneva
10:00–11:00 | Commemoration event: Celebrating the power of communities leading the response to HIV
Red Ribbon Café, UNAIDS (WHO D building)
- Opening and candlelight ceremony
- World AIDS Day message: Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General
- Public Health Milestones on HIV & AIDS in the context of the WHO 75th Anniversary: Dr Jérôme Salomon, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Noncommunicable Diseases
- Presentation of the WAD2023 video: “Communities leading the HIV response”
- Voice of communities: of community representatives
14:30–16:00 | Visit to Checkpoint Genève: a community-led initiative enabling key populations to access HIV services
Field visit to community-led service by Dr Jérôme Salomon (this event is not open to the public).
Events around the world
Victoria Falls and Harare, Zimbabwe
1 December and beyond
On World AIDS Day 2023, WHO Regional Office for Africa will be joining Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, as well as government officials and leaders of the HIV response in Zimbabwe to commemorate the many lives lost to AIDS. In the afternoon, they will pay a visit to a community led initiative enabling key populations to access services.
Activities for World AIDS Day in Zimbabwe will be followed by ICASA, the 22nd edition of the largest HIV conference in Africa, from 4 – 9 December in Harare. WHO will have a leading role in the conference, including the participation in the opening ceremony, convening 10 satellite sessions and engaging with communities and people living with or affected by HIV attending the conference.
