On 23 June 2026, the Permanent Observer Mission of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the United Nations hosted a high-level side event entitled “WITH Africa, IN Africa: Ensuring Access to Life-Saving HIV\/AIDS Treatment” at United Nations Headquarters, on the margins of the High-Level Meeting on HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n
Co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Djibouti, Eswatini, Germany, Malawi and San Marino, the event brought together ministers, senior United Nations officials, medical experts and humanitarian practitioners to examine practical approaches to strengthening access to HIV treatment, reinforcing resilient health systems, and sustaining international partnerships amid increasing financial pressures. The discussion was moderated by Ms Sandra Thurman, former Director of the United States Office of National AIDS Policy.<\/p>\n
Opening the event, H.E. Ambassador Paul Beresford-Hill reaffirmed the Sovereign Order of Malta’s longstanding commitment to serving those who are poor, vulnerable and marginalised. While recognising the extraordinary progress made in the global HIV response over recent decades, he emphasised that millions continue to face barriers to life-saving treatment due to fragile health systems, conflict, funding constraints and persistent stigma. Reflecting the theme of the event, Ambassador Beresford-Hill stressed that lasting progress must be achieved with Africa, in Africa\u2014through African leadership, local expertise and genuine international partnership.<\/p>\n
Dr Angeli Achrekar, Deputy Executive Director and Global Practice Lead of UNAIDS and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, highlighted the remarkable advances in HIV treatment worldwide, noting that more than 32 million people are now receiving antiretroviral therapy. She nevertheless cautioned that nearly nine million people remain without treatment, underscoring the need for nationally led responses, sustainable financing, stronger health systems and continued global solidarity.<\/p>\n
Providing a humanitarian perspective, Father Gerhard Lagleder, O.S.B., President of the Brotherhood of Blessed G\u00e9rard in South Africa, shared the organisation’s three decades of experience delivering community-based HIV care. He illustrated how long-term partnerships, local trust and close cooperation with public health authorities have enabled the Brotherhood to evolve from emergency hospice care into a comprehensive healthcare provider serving hundreds of patients while offering broader social and community services.<\/p>\n
The discussion also featured national perspectives from Malawi and Eswatini. Mr Washington Ozituosauka, Chief Disease Control Officer at Malawi’s Ministry of Health and Sanitation, outlined Malawi’s pioneering efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission through universal lifelong treatment for pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV. The Honourable Mduduzi Matsebula, Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Eswatini, highlighted his country’s success in achieving the UNAIDS treatment targets through strong political leadership, community engagement, domestic investment and innovative approaches to delivering healthcare in rural communities.<\/p>\n
Dr George Siberry, former Chief Medical Officer in USAID’s Office of HIV\/AIDS, emphasised the importance of integrating HIV services into primary healthcare, addressing stigma and accelerating innovation to improve treatment outcomes, particularly for children living with HIV.<\/p>\n
Closing the panel, Dr Georg Kippels, Vice-Minister at the Federal Ministry of Health of Germany, reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to the global HIV response through sustained multilateral cooperation, continued support for the Global Fund and UNAIDS, and investments aimed at strengthening national health systems and improving equitable access to affordable medicines.<\/p>\n
Throughout the discussion, speakers underscored that sustaining progress against HIV\/AIDS will require resilient health systems, strong national ownership, empowered local communities and enduring international partnerships. The event highlighted the importance of placing African leadership at the centre of global efforts to ensure that access to life-saving HIV treatment remains uninterrupted and equitable for all.<\/p>\n
The side event reaffirmed the Sovereign Order of Malta’s enduring commitment to promoting human dignity through healthcare, humanitarian action and international cooperation, while fostering dialogue that places those most affected by HIV\/AIDS at the heart of global policymaking.<\/p>\n","news_gallery":"yes","news_video":"