On 1 December, WHO, together with communities and partners, will commemorate World AIDS Day under the theme 2023. “Let Communities Lead”.
Communities living with and affected by HIV, key people, and networks of youth leaders have been and continue to be vital to progress in the HIV response. They provide essential prevention, testing and treatment support services, build trust, develop innovative solutions, improve health, monitor the implementation of policies and programs and hold providers accountable.
The world can end AIDS if communities lead the way. That is why the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘Let Communities Lead’, a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles rather than celebrating their achievements.
On World AIDS Day 2023, WHO celebrates and recognizes the invaluable contribution of communities to the response to HIV.
World AIDS Day 2023 in Geneva |
10:00–11:00 | Commemorative event: Celebrating the power of communities responding to HIV
Red Ribbon Cafe, UNAIDS (WHO D Building)
- Opening ceremony and candle lighting ceremony
- World AIDS Day Message: WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
- Public health milestones on HIV and AIDS in the context of the WHO 75th Anniversary: Dr. Jerome Solomon, Assistant Director-General, Global Health Security/Infectious and Noncommunicable Diseases
- Presentation of WAD2023 video: “Communities Leading the HIV Response”
- Voice of Communities: Community representatives
14:30–16:00 | Visiting Checkpoint Geneva: A community-led initiative to improve access to HIV services for key populations
Dr. Jerome Salomon (This event is not open to the public) Community-Led Service Field Visit.
Victoria Falls and Harare, Zimbabwe
1 December and onwards
On World AIDS Day 2023, the WHO Regional Office for Africa will join UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, along with government officials and leaders of the HIV response in Zimbabwe to remember the many people who have died of AIDS. In the afternoon, they will visit a community-led initiative to help key people access services.
Activities for World AIDS Day in Zimbabwe The 22nd edition of Africa’s largest HIV conference, ICASA, will be held in Harare from 4 – 9 December. WHO will play a key role in the conference, including participating in the opening ceremony, convening 10 satellite sessions and engaging with communities and people living with or affected by HIV who will be attending the conference.
