Adolescent and young key populations continue to be left behind in the HIV response and face multiple, intersecting forms of stigma, discrimination, marginalization, and exclusion that hinder their ability to access HIV-related services. The resulting health disparities were exacerbated by the recent COVID-19 related service disruptions, threatening setbacks and reversals, which must be explicitly addressed in the medium-term. Despite this, youth-led organizations have been at the forefront of the HIV response, building a vibrant movement to design and deliver youth-centred innovations across the prevention to treatment continuum, as well as advocacy to repeal and amend harmful laws and policies. This youth leadership has been instrumental in defining new pathways to address the holistic wellbeing of young key populations, while ensuring the sustainable delivery of life-saving HIV services though trusted access platforms. Youth-led organisations, in partnership with UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNDP, and UNFPA, created a toolkit to address critical gaps in the global response, culminating in a global ecosystem of knowledge and resource sharing that places young people in the driver's seat. An interactive youth-led session will highlight the work of young innovators from the key and neglected epidemics, alongside policy perspectives from public sector officials that have supported meaningful youth engagement and leadership.

• Presentations
• Session recording (English)