Under the theme End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics, Abdulla Shahid underscored a connection between COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS, pointing out that both exacerbate inequalities and impact people, “particularly in terms of access to treatment and health services”.

Moreover, COVID and the HIV epidemic not only impact the health of individuals,but together have also “impacted households, communities, and the development and economic growth of nations”,he continued.

Two decades since the landmark General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS –the first ever on a health issue – HIV/AIDS has become a preventable and treatable disease.

The Assembly President attested to the importance of learning from mistakes made then, such as hiding diagnoses due to social stigma,misinformation on prevention or treatment, and policymakers who delayed action.

“This meeting is an opportunity to discuss how the experience of fighting against HIV/AIDS can inform and guide effective, human rights sensitive, and people-centered responses to infectious diseases, such as COVID-19”, said Mr. Shahid.“We have a responsibility to act”.

While human ingenuity has delivered effective vaccines for COVID-19 in record time,the Assembly President highlighted that as more variants arise, the world must move quickly to “close the gap in access and ensure vaccine equity”.

“I am convening a High-level Meeting on Universal access to vaccines on 13 January next year,as an opportunity to commit to tackle inequalities and ensure equal and fair access to treatment for all, without discrimination”,he informed the meeting.

And as misinformation had once plagued HIV/AIDS, today it threatens progress in combatting COVID-19.

This year is also the 25th anniversary of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC),which united entities across the UN system to mobilize countries and communities globally to take action in combatting HIV/AIDS.

“For four decades the programme has provided global leadership, promoted policy consensus, strengthened the capacity of national Governments to develop comprehensive national HIV/AIDS strategies and of the UN system to monitor implementation”,said ECOSOC President Collen Kelapile.

“UNAIDS has been instrumental in mobilizing political commitment and social action to prevent and respond to HIV/AIDS”.

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