Civil society organizations, networks, and communities worldwide are being invited to endorse a letter addressed to the President of the United Nations General Assembly concerning the 2026 High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS. The letter raises concerns about the current process for developing the Political Declaration, noting that while the Multistakeholder Task Force (MSTF) facilitates civil society engagement, its mandate remains limited to advisory and program-related functions, without formal influence over the drafting of the Declaration.
The timeline of the process presents another challenge, as negotiations on the Political Declaration are scheduled to occur before key civil society spaces, including the Multistakeholder Hearing and other consultation mechanisms. This creates a structural gap where communities are consulted but unable to meaningfully impact the decisions that will shape the global HIV response. The letter emphasizes that civil society engagement must go beyond visibility to provide timely, coordinated, and substantive input.
The letter calls for a strengthened role for the MSTF, advocating for its formal recognition as the channel for consolidated civil society contributions to the drafting of the Political Declaration. It requests structured opportunities for direct engagement with Member States during the negotiation process to ensure community priorities are reflected in the document.
Civil society organizations stress that tokenistic involvement risks wasting limited time, energy, and resources, particularly as NGOs face increasing constraints such as shrinking funding, political pressures, and limited capacity. The letter urges that efforts focus on shaping the content of the Declaration itself, guided by inputs from the Multistakeholder Hearing and other consultation mechanisms.
The endorsement initiative aims to collectively advocate for meaningful civil society participation, ensuring that the voices of communities most affected by HIV are not only heard but reflected in the commitments adopted by Member States. Civil society leaders call on the UN leadership to institutionalize engagement mechanisms, so that the 2026 High-Level Meeting produces outcomes that are inclusive, credible, and grounded in the realities of affected communities.
