Sir Elton John greets British municipal leaders and state secretaries on the occasion of the AIDS Free Forum

Ministers and city officials from six cities – London, Atlanta, Kiev, Nairobi, Delhi and Maputo – gathered for the Global Cities Without AIDS Forum, hosted by the UK's Secretary of State for Health, the Right Honorable Matt Hanbad and the Secretary of State for International Development, the Right Honorable Penny Mordaunt, with the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

The Forum, which includes opening remarks by state secretaries, city leaders and other opinion leaders on HIV, marks a major step forward for world leaders and decision-makers in their engagement global response to the HIV epidemic.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and Greater London Authority Health Officer Vicky Hobart, along with representatives from Kiev and Maputo, reaffirmed their city's commitment to achieving the goals of the city. 90-90 & # 39; UNAIDS to address gaps in screening and treatment.

The pledge sets out the intention of each city to help 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, that 90% of people diagnosed with HIV are on antiretroviral treatment and that 90% of those treated with HIV a viral load removed. Combined with efforts to eradicate HIV-related stigma, the 90-90-90 goals are part of the global effort to end AIDS by 2030 and ensure to all those living with HIV. live with HIV a busy life.

"We have come so far in this adventure and we have the medical tools to help all people at risk of HIV or living with HIV live a normal life."

Sir Elton John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, said, "I am delighted that municipal leaders and health ministers from around the world are joining forces to advance the global fight against AIDS. We have come so far in this adventure and we have the medical tools to help all people at risk of HIV or living with HIV lead a normal life. What we need now is collaboration among cities to make a lasting impact and to ensure that no one, no matter where they are, is left behind. This forum is an example of this, so thank you to everyone involved. "

In addition to marking a milestone in the HIV landscape, in the UK and around the world, the Forum also commemorates the conclusion of the call for AIDSfree – a successful fundraiser by the Elton John Foundation AIDS, in partnership with ESI Media (including: The Independent, Evening Standard and London Live), UK Aid Match providing matching donations.

"We have already reached the goal of 90-90-90 but we must go further and give the example"

Secretary of State for Health Matt Hanbad announced: "I am proud to see that the UK has made incredible progress in defeating AIDS." We have already achieved the goal of 90- 90-90, but we need to go further and set the example, so we have a new goal: to eliminate the transmission of HIV in England by 2030. No new infections in the next decade. one of the first countries to achieve the UN goal of zero by 2030.

"Our HIV Innovation Fund, which will provide £ 600,000 to 13 innovative local initiatives to reduce the risk of HIV transmission or transmission, reduce stigma and reach hard-to-reach communities, is part of our approach. Another part will be to look at how we are ordering badual health services to make sure they are accessible to everyone from very local to global. "

"We believe pbadionately that we can create an AIDS-free future for the world"

Penny Mordaunt, UK Secretary of State for International Development, added: "AIDS is still the leading cause of death among women of childbearing age in the world. Approximately 7,000 young women are infected with HIV each week. UK Aid Match means that every time the UK public donates to the AIDS-free call, we match their donations, pound-by-pound, and their generosity goes twice as far.

"This financial aid from the United Kingdom aims to help some of the most vulnerable young people living in Nairobi and Maputo. This will improve access to HIV and AIDS testing and treatment directly. We believe pbadionately that we can create an AIDS-free future for the world. "

The work of the Elton John AIDS Foundation in Nairobi has received considerable momentum, Unitaid's Executive Director Lellio Marmora said at the Forum. The Global Health Initiative has confirmed a contribution of £ 1.5 million to the Foundation's next MenStar campaign, which aims to increase HIV testing among young men in Kenya.