Co-hosted by UNAIDS, US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the World Council of Churches (WCC), this gathering brought together religious leaders, policymakers, and health advocates to underscore the vital role of faith-based organizations in sustaining momentum towards an AIDS-free future.

Key speakers at the event, including PEPFAR ambassador Dr John Nkengasong, UNAIDS deputy executive director Christine Stegling, and Bishop Leah D. Daughtry, US presiding prelate of the House of the Lord Churches, stressed the importance of partnerships and collaboration in a world where resources for HIV prevention and treatment are diminishing. "Progress is not success," said Nkengasong, emphasizing the continued vulnerability of children to HIV, even as new advancements in treatment provide hope.

Wendy Ramirez, a young woman living with HIV and an advocate from Honduras, shared her personal story of overcoming stigma and discrimination. Many children born with HIV are abandoned by their familes, she said, stressing the importance of education and support for young people living with the virus. "Children like me need a safe and supportive environment to grow up and thrive. We cannot allow HIV to take away their future," she said.

Daughtry called for decisive action from faith communities, urging participants not only to provide hope but also to actively engage in the HIV response. "We are called to be more than voices of hope—we must be forces for change. It's not enough to acknowledge the challenges; we need to take action, step out, and do the work that ensures every child is protected from HIV, even if it is only one child," Daughtry said. Her remarks underscored the critical role of faith leaders in building partnerships and fostering collaboration, with a renewed focus on putting children first and transforming the future through collective efforts.

Stegling echoed this call to action, reminding the audience of the moral obligation to protect the most vulnerable: “The death of any child from AIDS is not just a tragedy—it’s an outrage. We can and must do more.” She highlighted the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children, a collaborative initiative led by 12 African nations, that has already shown significant progress in reducing pediatric HIV infections.

The event served as a reminder of the ongoing need for global commitment to end AIDS by 2030, particularly through investments in pediatric HIV programs. The breakfast concluded with renewed pledges from participants to sustain global HIV programs, particularly those focusing on children and families. The importance of faith-based organizations in this effort was underscored throughout, as speakers pointed to their longstanding role in providing care, support, and advocacy in the global response to HIV.

The World Council of Churches works with several faith communities to strengthen the joint response to the gaps in pediatric HIV.

Blog post: Children, HIV and the church

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