WCC NEWS: At International AIDS Conference, WCC deepens work on equitable access to HIV innovations

During the 26th International AIDS Conference, held 22-31 July, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the World Council of Churches (WCC) deepened its work by living into the conference theme of “Rethink. Rebuild. Rise.” Photo: WCC 18 August 2026 Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive for HIV, Reproductive Health, and Pandemics, coordinated the Interfaith Networking Zone at the Global Village, a space open for conference participants and the wider public. The Interfaith Networking Zone served as the principal WCC platform throughout AIDS 2026, hosting sessions focused on youth and gender, sustainable financing, equitable access to HIV innovations, faith leadership, long-acting technologies, and community accountability.  Three featured sessions formed the backbone of the programme: “Youth, Gender & Access: Shaping Inclusive HIV Policy in the Face of Anti-Gender Backlash,” “Religious Leaders Advocating for Sustainable Financing,” and “Religious Leaders Advancing HIV Innovation into Access.” The Interfaith Networking Zone was intentionally designed as a welcoming and reflective space. “Interfaith decorative elements sourced locally in Rio de Janeiro helped create a distinctive atmosphere,” said Ross. Several visitors commented that they felt a sense of peace when entering the space and sometimes stopped simply to rest and reflect before returning to the conference.  “Community members from diverse groups stopped at the booth and left their prayer requests and suggestions of how faith communities can contribute to end AIDS,” said Ross. “To make the booth interactive, we included a prayer basket in each one of the three round tables.” The prayer requests received were from the hearts and minds of participants:  …for financial breakthrough to move away from the chains of debt …for more funding towards communities …for my son who has a mental health challenge …for all those that passed due to HIV in the Arab world …for government leaders, for open hearts and a desire for all people to have access to healthcare Visitors also shared their ideas about how faith communities can contribute to ending AIDS. Deep discussions Ross had the opportunity to enter into a broad array of discussions.  “One of the main areas where I contributed to the discussions was around evidence on long-acting injectables,” she said. “I argued that what is needed are simple ways of communicating existing evidence.” Ross suggested that scientific evidence should be translated into language that resonates with faith communities. “This includes theological, moral, public health, economic, and human rights arguments,” she said. “From a theological perspective, access to HIV innovations can be framed through the principles of justice, dignity, compassion, and equity.” During discussions, Ross and other experts wrestled with questions such as why should young people in churches not benefit from the scientific advances – and are these innovations not part of the answer to the prayers that churches have offered for decades while accompanying and burying people who died from AIDS? “In addition to theological arguments, I emphasized the importance of public health arguments, because HIV innovations can help reduce new infections and improve health outcomes,” explained Ross.  She also recalled the process of developing HIV-related law in Bolivia. “During the drafting process, people living with HIV advocated for the inclusion of a provision guaranteeing access to future scientific advances,” Ross said. “At that time, we were thinking about a possible cure, but the principle remains relevant today for HIV prevention and treatment innovations and, God willing, for the cure in the near future.” Discussions also touched on community preparedness. “I reflected on how communities of people living with HIV were engaged and prepared for many years before antiretroviral treatment became widely available,” said Ross. “Similar preparation is needed today in relation to any innovation, both, scientific and programmatic, including among faith leaders and communities.” She also highlighted the importance of collaboration among people living with HIV, religious leaders, governments, and scientific actors. “Governments create the laws and policies that can either facilitate or restrict access to innovation,” she said. “At the WCC, we describe this collaborative approach as a dialogue and intersection between faith and science.” Those gathered discussed why technologies that remain available only to certain populations or countries risk deepening existing inequalities. “A scientific innovation that can save lives, cannot become a commodity for those who can pay for it,” said Ross. Ross noted that participation at the AIDS 2026 conference significantly strengthened the visibility, influence, and strategic positioning of the WCC within global HIV discussions.  “Through leadership of the Interfaith Networking Zone, participation in high-level consultations, engagement with key partners and donors, and coordinated online advocacy, WCC advanced its priorities on sustainable financing, equitable access to HIV innovations and faith-science collaboration,” she said. “The mission generated new partnership opportunities, reinforced existing relationships and elevated faith-based voices within the global HIV response.” 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