The Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) joined with other stakeholders from across the Caribbean on December 1, on the occasion of World AIDS Day that was commemorated under the theme “End Inequalities. End AIDS. End Pandemics” to highlight the Regional progress and to call for continued commitment towards Ending AIDS in the Caribbean.

Dr. Rosmond Adams, PANCAP Director gave the opening remarks in which he highlighted that forty years after the first AIDS cases were reported, HIV still remains a public health threat globally and in the Caribbean. 

He noted that HIV is a disease that thrive on inequalities, stigma and discrimination, marginalization, criminalization, and exclusion.

He further reminded the participants that the theme for this year’s event is a reminder and a call to action by all of us that we must act now if we are to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of ending AIDS by 2030.

The virtual event also received remarks from Dr. James Guwani, Director UNAIDS Caribbean Sub-Regional Office who pledged UNAIDS support to the CARICOM region in advancing the End AIDS agenda.

Dr. Douglas Slater, Assistant Secretary General, Directorate of Human and Social Development at the CARICOM Secretariat spoke of the progress that the Caribbean Region has made especially relate to the elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV. He urged the region to continue working so that the existing gaps can be filled.