High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS 2026
CANZ Statement during the General Debate
Delivered by H.E James Larsen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
22 June 2026
Thank you, Chair.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and my own country, Australia.
We meet at a critical moment for the global HIV response.
While significant progress has been made over decades, this progress is under pressure from growing inequalities, funding constraints, and challenges to human rights and gender equality.
Renewed commitment and collective action will be essential if we are to meet our shared goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
An effective response must remain firmly grounded in a human rights-based, evidence-driven public health approach.
This includes addressing stigma and discrimination, tackling structural drivers of HIV risk, and ensuring enabling legal and policy environments that support access to services for all.
A sustained focus on key populations is essential, as they continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV and face significant barriers to prevention, treatment and care. Reaching those most at risk is fundamental to achieving global targets.
We also emphasise the importance of gender equality and addressing the specific needs of women and girls, as well as the meaningful engagement of young people as partners in the HIV response.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights are also integral, including access to quality services and age-appropriate, comprehensive sexuality education.
Community leadership remains central. Community-led organisations play a critical role in delivering services, building trust and reaching underserved populations.
Protecting civic space and ensuring the meaningful participation of people living with HIV and affected communities is essential to sustaining progress.
Prevention must remain a cornerstone of the response. This requires scaling up combination prevention, ensuring equitable access to new technologies, including, lenacapavir and maintaining proven approaches grounded in science and human rights.
At the same time, we must strengthen integrated, person-centred health systems, improve access to treatment and care, and continue investing in research and innovation, including towards vaccines and cures.
Sustaining progress will require adequate and predictable financing, with a balanced approach that supports strengthened domestic resource mobilisation alongside continued international partnership.
Finally, we underscore the importance of ensuring that the global response reflects regional realities, including in the Asia-Pacific, where epidemics remain diverse.
Continued attention to these contexts will help ensure that no one is left behind.
In closing, CANZ reaffirms our commitment to working with all partners to advance an effective, inclusive and sustainable HIV response.
Thank you.