At the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) global leaders will convene to build consensus and confront complex global challenges. The 80th Session will be presided by Ms Annalena Baerbock of Germany. Her vision: “Better Together - Joining efforts to forge a better future for all."

UNAIDS, as the steward of the global HIV response and a long-standing advocate for people-centered and inclusive approaches, will reaffirm how the voices of communities remain central to the dialogues at the UNGA. High-Level Week offers a critical platform to advocate for integrated, multisectoral approaches that advance health, rights, and resilience.

THREE KEY MESSAGES UNAIDS WILL BRING TO #UNGA80

REVERSE THE FUNDING CUTS AND EXPAND ACCES TO HIV MEDICINES

Massive cuts to HIV funding are putting lives in jeopardy. The 40 million people living with HIV need antiretroviral treatment yet cuts to funding are reducing access – putting millions of lives in danger. This must be reversed particularly as breakthrough new medicines are coming to market that can prevent transmission of HIV with injections just twice a year. Research shows the medicine – lenacapavir - can be made for just US$ 25 per person per year, but the current cost is US$ 28,000 – unaffordable and out of reach for the people who need it most including young women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa. We will be advocating for access to medicines for all!

RELATED EVENTS:

Friday 19 September 2025 - 09:00 – 17:30 (ET)

Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics, convened by UNAIDS

This session will provide an overview of research showing that inequality is driving pandemics; pandemics increase inequality; and that we are more vulnerable because of it.

Tuesday 23 September 09:00 – 11:00 (ET)

G20 Social Summit Side Event "Advancing Inclusive Growth, Social Justice and Human - Centered Development" hosted by South Africa in partnership with UNDP and Open Society Foundation

This event will explore how the G20 can lead inclusive and just responses to global crises, aligned with South Africa’s G20 priorities on climate resilience, debt sustainability, a just energy transition, and the governance of critical minerals. It will also highlight the role of the G20 Social Summit as a platform for inclusive engagement with youth, civil society, women, labour, and grassroots movements.

Tuesday 23 September 16:00 – 17:00 (ET)

From Accra to the World - Launching the High-Level Panel on Reimagining Global Health Governance 

H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, will host a Presidential Side Event to formally announce and launch a bold new High-Level Panel on Reimagining the Global Health Governance.

Wednesday 24 September 07:00 – 09:15 (ET)

Annual Prayer Breakfast: Protecting Every Child, Upholding Every Life

Wednesday 24 September 2025 - 09:00 – 11:00 AM (ET)

Equity and integration: Reshaping health systems through people-centred primary care – a call for convergence and co-investment

Leaders will gather to discuss how integrated, people-centred primary health care can build stronger health systems, improve access to diagnostics & treatment, bridge NCDs, mental health & infectious diseases and advance universal health coverage.

Registration link here. 

Wednesday 24 September 20:00 – 22:00 (ET)

The Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment Reception: Honoring Bold Leadership, Committing to Impact 

This event will convene leaders to reaffirm a shared commitment to saving lives, strengthening health systems and advancing equity. As the Global Fund’s Eight Replenishment approaches, it is a moment to celebrate achievements, spotlight new commitments and honour the leadership of donors and partners.

Thursday 25 September 08:00 – 09:30 (ET)

Access to Medicines: The Fight for Health Justice in an Age of Retreat  

Event organized by Public Citizen, UNAIDS and People’s Medicines Alliance (PMA) access to medicines and moving forward together.  

Thursday 25 September 11:00-12:00

Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) High-Level Meeting – Panel 6 Global Health and Pandemic Preparedness 

Keynote speech by the Executive Director of UNAIDS. 

FIGHT THE BACKLASH AGAINST GENDER INEQUALITY

Thirty years ago, thousands of women came together in Beijing demanding action for gender equality. Yet today, we are seeing a well-funded, globally-coordinated backlash against gender equality and the human rights of women and girls. Women’s rights are human rights - we need to fight the targeted restrictions on the rights of women and girls, LGBTQI+ people and ensure sexual and reproductive health and rights for everyone.  

RELATED EVENTS: 

Monday 22 September 10:00 – 20:00 (ET)

High-level Meeting on the 30th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women 

Click here for more information. 

Monday 22 September 12:00-13:30 (ET)

Women Rise for All Lunch convened by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed 

Building on the success of past Women Rise for All Lunches, the event will continue to celebrate transformative leadership in advancing the SDG’s. This event will connect influential leaders globally, providing a platform to share insights, strategies, and strengthen networks aimed at driving sustainable development. 

Tuesday 23 September 09:30 – 12:00 (ET)

Building Resilience for Women and Girls in the Face of Climate Change and Conflict  

This gathering, organized by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development will bring together First Ladies, policymakers, global advocates, youth leaders, and partners to drive collective action to protect and empower women and girls in climate-affected and conflict-prone settings.  

UN80 – AN OPPORTUNITY TO REDEFINE GLOBAL COOPERATION 

The world is in crisis. But the UN was born in crisis, and the UN Charter sets out a roadmap to a better world. Today, we should take the next leap forward. UNAIDS is already undergoing a two-phase transformation in line with the ambition of UN80. UN80 is our opportunity to rise and redefine global cooperation. Our time to rebuild a multilateral system that is more just, inclusive and truly fit for the complex, intersecting crises of our time. 

RELATED EVENTS: 

Monday 22 September 09:00 – 10:00 (ET)

High-level Meeting to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the United Nations 

Click here for more information. 

Monday 22 September 14:00 – 16:00 (ET)

SDG Moment 

The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 reminds us that the SDGs have already transformed millions of lives. But to fully realize their promise, we need to pick up the pace. To reflect on successes that can inform action in the next five years, the UNSG will convene the SDG Moment during #UNGA80 which will be streamed live on UN webtv. 

Thursday 25 September 12:30 – 14:00 (ET)

Rescuing health-related SDGs in times of crisis: aligning multilateral collaboration for country impact, co-sponsored by the governments of Thailand, Angola and Spain  

Progress on health-related SDGs is badly off track and the global health ecosystem must evolve and adapt to be fit-for-purpose. This event will convene leaders to find innovative approaches to sustainable health financing, and concrete ways to make multilateralism more efficient and coherent. 

ADDITIONAL KEY EVENTS 

Monday 22 September

Prince Harry, Charlize Theron, Magic Johnson, and Thuso Mbedu deliver a compelling call to action in new UNAIDS film to be screened at the United Nations  

UNAIDS is partnering with acclaimed Hollywood writer and producer Ron Nyswaner to highlight the impact of the global AIDS funding crisis in a new short film to be screened at the United Nations’ global gathering on September 22nd. The short film features longstanding advocates in the global fight against HIV, including Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, Charlize Theron, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and actress Thuso Mbedu. Together they highlight the need for global solidarity and sustained support to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.