Tatum Le

Despite making positive progress, a majority of countries fell short of meeting the global 2020 fast-track targets. This session focused on the major changes that were made in the 2025 target recalibration and on how we can effectively use the new interim targets to achieve better health outcomes.

Paul De Lay, global health expert and consultant (US), introduced the session by addressing three questions: Why were changes made in targets for the Fast Track Response Strategy? What are the major differences in the 2025 target recalibration? Are we beginning to see that these changes have made a difference? John Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Health Diplomacy, reflected on the journey towards 2025 : “We need programmatic push and drive, but also very strong political will that translates into commitment and leadership. We also need reengagement with the communities.” Aleny Couto, head of the STI and HIV/AIDS program at the Mozambique Ministry of Health, discussed the ways in which governments can use the 2025 targets to improve health outcomes. She encouraged governments to “develop targets with those responsible to meet them: providers, stakeholders, donors and partners.” Judy Chang, Executive Director of the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (Italy), sought to answer the two following questions: “Are the 2025 targets a better tool for addressing HIV among key populations than the fast-track targets? How can communities best leverage the targets to ensure that the response focuses on where we can make the biggest difference?”

The 2020 fast-track targets were majorly missed due to major inequities in access to prevention, treatment and support services in key populations. The 2025 recalibration seeks to focus on inequities by introducing the “Three 10s” and by increasing the granularity of data to capture information on key populations, including the percentage of services provided by community organizations. This session provided attendees with critical information on the rationale for this recalibration and with concrete ways in which knowledge and insights can be applied and adapted to different contexts.