UNAIDS PCB-51 field visit, Thailand, 12-13 December 2022 - The power of a people-centred approach, partnerships, and integration of the HIV response into universal health coverage to end AIDS by 2030 - Lessons learned from the AIDS response. The 51st meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) was hosted by the Government of Thailand (as Chair of the PCB) in Chiang Mai from December 13 – 16, 2022. It was the first time in 14 years that the board met outside Geneva and the second time it convened in Chiang Mai. During the meeting, delegates from government, civil society and the development community reviewed a range of approaches to accelerate progress to end AIDS. Among these were: the first international definition of a community-led response to a pandemic; strategies to increase the impact of the “Undetectable = Untransmittable” agenda (U=U); and innovative approaches to engaging men in all their diversity.

As countries transition away from donor assistance and progress towards universal health coverage, there is growing emphasis on the importance of integrating HIV services into national health systems to support sustainability. However, given the equity advantage of the HIV response, there are concerns that many of the equity gains from HIV programmes could be lost in the transition to a more integrated, less disease focused approach unless care is taken to preserve and build on them.

In the light of the substantial forecast HIV response financing gaps, it will be vital for western and central Africa to find extra funding. Three potential sources of this funding will not worsen the current debt crisis: domestic tax revenues, debt reduction, and access to adequate concessional resources.

It will be challenging for eastern and southern Africa
to mobilize adequate financing to meet the 2030
goal to end AIDS as a public health threat under a
business-as-usual scenario. Solutions are needed
that address resource needs, while at the same time
do not worsen current high levels of debt.