Online Press Briefing on World Aids Day 2020

The last time the entire world was this focused on a pandemic threat was over two decades ago. Back then, HIV/AIDS was killing almost 4,000 people every day and new infections doubled year after year. Since then, the global response to AIDS has become a global success story
AIDS-related deaths have been cut by more than half. However, HIV/AIDS still remains a big challenge. 12.6 million people who are living with HIV still do not receive treatment. AIDS is the number 1 killer for women under 50. Now, COVID-19 risks are blowing HIV progress further off course: Lockdowns, interrupted supply chains and overburdened health care systems prevent people from accessing medication and testing devices. The social and economic consequences in many African countries are devastating, especially for women and girls, but also with regard to upcoming generations – unless the world takes decisive action now.

Together with ONE Germany, Global Perspectives Initiative held a press briefing with Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, Peter Sands, Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Dr Zolelwa Sifumba, physician and activist from South Africa to talk about the challenge of HIV and AIDS in a pandemic. Short biographies of our speakers can be found here.