WCC NEWS: At conference in Ghana, WCC advances equitable HIV response

During the International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa—the 23rd edition of the gathering—the World Council of Churches (WCC) shared insights on its work related to HIV response, and how faith-based organizations and churches can do even more.  Accra, Ghana: Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park, established in homage to the country's first president following independence from British rule in 1957. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 11 December 2025 The theme of the conference, held 3-8 December, was “Africa in Action: Catalyzing Integrated Sustainable Responses to end AIDS, TB, and Malaria.” The WCC organized some faith-related sessions. One such program was a “Roundtable Uniting Voices for Action: Legislators and Faith Leaders Advancing an Equitable HIV Response.” This roundtable set the basis for collaborations between religious leaders and parliamentarians, leveraging on the mutual influence they have and the urgent need to accelerate access to HIV innovations in an equitable way while ensuring sustainable investments in HIV. The discussions of this roundtable will continue in the International AIDS Conference and the HIV High Level Meeting on HIV, both to happen in 2026.  “These are important milestones as we consolidate the response to the global financial crisis and implement the new Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031,” said Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive for HIV, Reproductive Health, and Pandemics. “All these events are used by WCC and ecumenical partners to reprioritize HIV in the developing agenda.” Discussions focused on equitable access to HIV innovations and sustainable responses to HIV. The WCC was also involved in sessions related to stigma and responses based on love, sustainable domestic financing, and securing the legacy of the HIV movement. The WCC also contributed to discussions on sustainable funding, and supported the Faith Booth in the Global Village, as well as a prayer and reflection for the conclusion of the conference.  Conference participants discussed how the world is at risk of erasing HIV from the international development agenda—yet HIV remains a global crisis. There are 40.8 million people living with HIV worldwide, including 1.4 million children. In 2024 alone, 1.3 million people acquired HIV, and 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. Millions still lack access to treatment and prevention services. Discussions centered on why investing in HIV is not only a health imperative but a matter of social and economic justice. Faith-based leaders affirmed HIV is not only a health issue but a matter of justice, dignity, and care. They called for stigma and discrimination to end.  Faith leaders at the conference also urged governments to re-prioritize HIV national and global agendas, and commit to create safe spaces for dialogue and collaboration. See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland