CiSHAN WELCOMES 2026 UN POLITICAL DECLARATION ON HIV/AIDS

CiSHAN WELCOMES 2026 UN POLITICAL DECLARATION ON HIV/AIDS

... CALLS FOR STRONGER DOMESTIC FUNDING AND COMMUNITY-LED ACTION IN NIGERIA

The Civil Society for HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (CiSHAN) Civil Society for HiV/Aids in Nigeria - Cishan welcomes the adoption of the new United Nations  United Nations Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS at the 2026 United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. The declaration renews the global commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and provides an important roadmap for countries to sustain progress over the next five years.

This declaration comes at a very important time. Across the world, the HIV response is facing serious pressure from declining international funding, competing national priorities, and growing challenges around human rights, equity and access to services. Yet, the strong support shown by Member States sends a clear message: the goal of ending AIDS is still achievable if governments, communities, civil society, development partners and affected populations work together with honesty, urgency and commitment.

In Nigeria, communities have remained at the heart of the HIV response. Community-based organisations, networks of people living with HIV, youth groups, women-led organisations, key population networks, faith-based groups and grassroots civil society actors continue to reach people who may otherwise be left behind. They support #HIV testing, treatment literacy, adherence counselling, stigma reduction, TB/HIV referrals, community-led monitoring, advocacy and accountability at the last mile.

These community actors are not just beneficiaries of programmes. They are trusted voices, service connectors, advocates, monitors and partners in implementation. Their role is especially important in reaching people living with HIV, adolescents and young people, women and girls, key populations, persons with disabilities, rural communities and other groups who continue to face barriers to prevention, treatment, care and support.

While Nigeria continues to benefit from the support of international partners, the Federal Government and State Governments must increase domestic investment in HIV, TB and community systems. International support should complement national efforts, not replace government responsibility. The country must take stronger ownership of the HIV response through increased budgetary allocation, timely release of funds, social contracting with community organisations, expanded health insurance coverage for people living with HIV, and sustainable financing for prevention, treatment, care and support services.

The new Political Declaration also speaks directly to Nigeria’s current The Global Fund  Global Fund Grant Cycle 8 process and national sustainability discussions. It reinforces the need to prioritize community systems strengthening, human rights, gender equality, stigma reduction, integrated HIV/TB services, access to medicines and commodities, and meaningful participation of civil society and affected communities in planning, implementation, monitoring and governance.

We also call on the international community, including multilateral agencies, bilateral donors, philanthropic organisations and technical partners, to sustain their solidarity with Nigeria and other high-burden countries. As countries work towards stronger domestic financing, international cooperation must remain predictable, flexible and responsive to the realities faced by communities. Financing transitions should strengthen national systems and protect vulnerable populations, not create gaps in services.

As the national coordinating platform for civil society organisations working on HIV and AIDS in Nigeria, CiSHAN remains committed to mobilizing local community efforts towards achieving national and global HIV targets. Through its broad network across the country, the organisation will continue to support advocacy, community engagement, service demand creation, treatment literacy, accountability, and the protection of the rights and dignity of all people affected by HIV.

Nigeria can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, but this will require bold political leadership, increased domestic resources, sustained international solidarity, and a deliberate commitment to placing communities at the centre of the response.

@top fans 

Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria 

CDC 

Africa CDC 

Indomitable Youths Indomitables 

Hamza Aliyu 

Oniovokukor Bright 

Nepwhan HQ