AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference, was held in Munich, Germany in July 20224 and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including scientists, activists, policymakers, and people living with HIV, to discuss the latest scientific developments, share innovative approaches, and strategize on overcoming the challenges that remain in the fight against the epidemic.
At the AIDS 2024 conference in Munich, a significant focus was placed on the challenges and progress in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA). This region is experiencing a rapidly growing HIV epidemic, exacerbated by structural barriers like the criminalization of drug use and homosexuality, which limit access to essential services. Additionally, the ongoing war in Ukraine has intensified these challenges, further complicating the response to HIV in the area. Many Ukrainian activists came to AIDS 2024 to remind the global community about the ongoing war and its implications. At the EECA Space and Ukraine’s booth, Positive Women and HelpNow Hub presented their work on helping women living in HIV and cited AFEW International as the supporter within the framework of the 2023 project helping refugees in Poland.
Key discussions highlighted the need for innovative approaches and increased investment in addressing these issues. Eastern Europe and Central Asia have seen a rise in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, a trend that contrasts with progress in other parts of the world. The conference underscored the importance of addressing these disparities through community-driven responses, harm reduction strategies, and the removal of legal barriers to healthcare access.
AIDS 2024 served as a platform to bring attention to the critical situation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, urging for targeted action and support to overcome the significant barriers that hinder the HIV response in these areas.
AFEW at AIDS 2024
At AIDS 2024, AFEW actively participated in a range of events that highlighted crucial aspects of the HIV response in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Yulia Komo from AFEW International took part in a talk show discussing the importance of storytelling within the framework of the Exhibition ATLAS2024, titled “THIS IS US.” She also attended the launch of the 21st Annual Resource Tracking Report, which focused on philanthropy’s response to HIV and AIDS in 2022.
AFEW Kyrgyzstan presented posters on innovative approaches, including remote registration with AIDS centers for Kyrgyz citizens who discovered their HIV status abroad, and the role of psychologist-trained peers in reducing HIV risks in prisons. These presentations were led by Dina Masalimova and Margarita Sabirova. Natalya Shumskaya, Director of AFEW in Kyrgyzstan, addressed legal barriers in Kyrgyzstan during a session on the Global Fund’s Breaking Down Barriers Initiative.
AFEW Kyrgyzstan also explored emerging patterns in drug use, focusing on piloting online services for those using new psychoactive substances, with a presentation by Chinara Imankulova. AFEW Ukraine shared insights on the resilience of HIV testing and treatment services in conflict-affected regions, presented by Olena Voskresenska and Iryna Grishayeva.
Furthermore, AFEW highlighted HIV infection among key populations in Uzbekistan and shared best practices on HIV, key vulnerable populations, and human rights, with contributions from Natalya Shumskaya. One more session focused on a cross-border model for uninterrupted access to HIV services for Central Asian migrants, led by Dina Masalimova from AFEW Kyrgyzstan, together with Aibek Bekbolotov, from Kyrgyzstan AIDS Center and Artem Lebedev from Kazakhstan NGO Community Friends.
Support for Ukrainian women living with HIV to attend AIDS 2024 conference
At AIDS 2024 in Munich, AFEW International responded to the underrepresentation of Eastern European and Central Asian (EECA) voices—particularly women living with HIV—by reallocating funds to support their participation. AFEW International redirected funds from its Amsterdam Dinner 2023 initiative to support the participation of one key Ukrainian activist, Natalia Tiuniahina of Help Now Hub Poland, to attend the conference.
Although initially intended to support four women, logistical barriers limited participation to one. Natalia actively took part in the Global Village, presented at panels, led a session on refugee community mobilization, and networked with international partners and donors. Her presence helped amplify the needs of displaced Ukrainians living with HIV and contributed to building partnerships and spreading key insights within her networks in Ukraine and Poland.
This engagement ensured the voices of refugee women living with HIV were part of global HIV dialogue and advocacy efforts at AIDS 2024.
We are very grateful that we had a chance to attend this event! In the gallery – how it was.
