The Caribbean’s fight against HIV has entered a pivotal phase, with regional leaders and health officials gathering on Wednesday, March 18, for the Tenth Meeting of National AIDS Programme Managers and Key Partners.
Delivering remarks at the opening ceremony, Dr. Wendy Telgt-Emanuelson, Director of the PANCAP Coordinating Unit, underscored the significance of the annual forum in guiding the Region’s HIV response. While the meeting typically serves as a platform to assess progress and address ongoing challenges, she noted that this year carries added weight as the Caribbean moves closer to its 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat.
Central to the discussions is the final draft of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework for HIV and AIDS (2026–2030), which Dr. Telgt-Emanuelson described as a roadmap for the next stage of the Region’s journey. Framing the fight against HIV as a long road trip, she pointed to both the hurdles encountered and the progress achieved, highlighting the resilience and creativity of regional stakeholders.
She also welcomed the participation of Chief Medical Officers and Permanent Secretaries, noting that their involvement brings critical insight to the policy and implementation process.
