UNAIDS strongly condemns the destruction of a warehouse containing HIV supplies in the region of Kyiv. The warehouse, which was destroyed on 19 July, was used by Ukraine’s National HIV Prevention Programme to store HIV prevention supplies for programmes reaching more than 300,000 people each year.  

Thanks to advance distribution across Ukraine, services will continue uninterrupted through to the end of 2026. However, the destroyed supplies were intended for 2027 and must be urgently replaced to prevent future shortages. 

“Attacks on medical facilities and lifesaving health commodities violate international humanitarian law,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Even in war, there are rules. Health facilities and medical supplies must never be targeted. Destroying HIV prevention supplies puts lives at risk, and I must speak out.” 

UNAIDS is working with the Ministry of Health and partners to replace the lost supplies and ensure uninterrupted access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care. Protecting these lifesaving services is an urgent priority. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

JOHANNESBURG/GENEVA, 1 September 2026 – UNAIDS, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Global Health Innovation Institute (GHII) have brought together the Government of South Africa, the Government of China, Chinese pharmaceutical companies and regional and global partners in a major new collaboration to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing across Southern Africa.  

The partnership, developed through sustained engagement led by UNAIDS, is being advanced this week through a SADC-China strategic exchange taking place from 31 August to 4 September 2026 in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. By applying lessons from the HIV response, it brings together governments, pharmaceutical manufacturers, research institutions, financial and development partners and health experts to explore how stronger partnerships can accelerate regional production of medicines, diagnostics and health technologies. 

“Strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing is about much more than producing medicines. It is about African countries having greater control over the health products their people depend on including for HIV, while building the skills, investment, technology and systems needed for long-term health security,” said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa 

The exchange comes at a time when health security, resilient supply chains and sustainable access to essential medicines are priorities across Africa. For Southern Africa, strengthening regional manufacturing capacity offers an opportunity to reduce vulnerability to external supply disruptions while supporting innovation, skills development, investment and economic growth. 

“Health security requires the capacity to produce. Our partnership with China can help connect African manufacturing capability with the investment, technology and skills needed to strengthen regional pharmaceutical production,” said Dr Lamboly Kumboneki, SADC Secretariat. 

Building regional manufacturing capacity 

A key focus of the exchange will be how a China-Africa collaboration can help unlock technology transfer, investment, manufacturing expertise and innovation to strengthen African pharmaceutical production. 

The programme will include high level policy discussions with government and regulatory stakeholders, engagement with development and financing partners, and visits to pharmaceutical manufacturing and research facilities in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. 

Discussions will explore expanding investment and technology transfer; improving market intelligence, demand visibility and regulatory readiness; strengthening pooled procurement and health commodity security; and identifying practical opportunities for deeper Africa–China collaboration on pharmaceutical manufacturing. 

“China’s healthcare industry has grown and matured significantly over the last few decades, and companies are looking for opportunities beyond, globally. Africa is the market of the future. Being here has shown us the willingness and readiness of South African companies and policy makers. I believe this is a perfect opportunity to bring accessible health products through a mutually beneficial partnership” said Gary Yang, Head of Business Development and Innovation, GHII 

At the conclusion of the exchange, partners will identify priority opportunities and practical next steps to strengthen regional pharmaceutical manufacturing and health commodity security.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Before the doors of SWING Thailand clinics open each morning, Siripong “Arm” Srichau has already reached hundreds of people.  

Some have watched one of his videos on social media. Others have sent private messages asking where they can get an HIV test or whether they should start PrEP - a preventive HIV medicine for people at risk of HIV.

Sitting in front of his computer, Arm, communications lead at SWING, a community-led organization providing HIV and sexual health services for gay men, transgender people and sex workers in Thailand, scrolls through the digital campaigns he has created to make accessing HIV prevention more engaging.  

In one interactive game, users match themselves with a virtual boyfriend based on their lifestyle, then recommends the PrEP option that best suits them. Another uses a fortune teller to predict their future need for PrEP. A third turns the hunt for misplaced PrEP pills into an online game.

They are playful by design with a purpose.

"If you want to reach people online, you have to understand them," he said. "You have to know what they are interested in, what is trending, and make our message relatable."

Berry is one of SWING’s regular clients who first discovered SWING through social media while searching for information about PrEP.  

"I didn't really know what PrEP was initially," he said. "The staff here explained everything to me."

Nearly ten years later, he keeps returning for HIV prevention services. For him, the difference is not only the medical care. "Here, nobody looks at you like you're a weird person," he said. "Even though Thailand is quite open for LGBTQ people, discrimination still exists. Here, we feel comfortable."

Arm's works extends beyond the virtual space and the clinic walls.  

In the afternoon, Arm is presenting HIV prevention and sexual health options to a group of young deaf transgender women, with every word translated into sign language. And the evening finds him standing outside a nightclub, handing out condoms, answering questions and helping people register for HIV services on their phones.

A former teacher with a background in dramatic arts, Arm never expected to build a career in the HIV response.  

“Every day I see proof that this work matters, in the messages people send us and in the clients who keep coming back. What people do not see is the cost. We are still here because we believe in this. But belief does not pay for a clinic or a salary. Communities need resources, not just recognition,” said Arm.

Thailand’s investment in community-led programmes is a key part of Thailand’s remarkable progress in the HIV response, with 82% of people living with HIV on treatment in 2025 and a 66% reduction in new HIV infections since 2010.

This progress comes at a time when community-led organizations around the world are facing growing uncertainty. Global development assistance fell by 23% in 2025 and HIV programmes have been among the hardest hit. Globally, community-led organizations are seeing critical funding disappear, putting essential HIV services at risk.

Meanwhile in Thailand, over 100 community-led organizations, including SWING, are formally recognized as HIV service providers under Thailand's Universal Health Coverage system, delivering HIV testing and counselling, PrEP and other essential services with domestic funding. These organizations now reach 75% of key populations with HIV prevention services.

"Our priority now is ensuring community-led organizations are truly an integral part of the national health system. With UNAIDS support, Thailand is developing a Community-Led Response Sustainability Roadmap to help make that happen," said Patchara Benjarattanaporn, UNAIDS Country Director for Thailand.  

Community leadership has helped make Thailand's HIV response one of the strongest in the region. Sustaining it will require more than dedication from people like Arm. It will require commitment from governments, health systems, donors and partners to ensure community-led organizations have the recognition, resources and support they need to continue their work.