On 27 March 2025, Africa REACH hosted a strategic virtual convening that brought together members of the Leadership Council and Friends & Partners Group (FPG). The meeting marked a milestone moment in aligning both groups for deeper collaboration as we advance the continent’s agenda to end AIDS in children and adolescents. This joint session fostered cross-learning, aligned advocacy efforts and affirmed the shared commitment to amplify African-led solutions in collaboration with global partners.

Objectives of the Meeting

The meeting was convened to:

• Introduce members of the Leadership Council and Friends & Partners Group to one another and deepen their engagement.
• Discuss the 2025 priority activities for the year ahead and identify key messaging for potential collaboration.
• Collect partner and council member commitments towards a joint advocacy plan.
• Review the Secretariat’s progress from October 2024 to March 2025, including updates on advocacy, communications and resource mobilisation.

Who Attended the Meeting

The session welcomed representatives from both the Leadership Council and the Friends & Partners Group, including private sector partners, civil society, faith-based institutions, regional bodies and research organisations. Participating partners included:

• ViiV Healthcare Positive Action
• Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD)
• African Union Commission: Women, Youth & Gender Directorate
• Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)
• Paediatric-Adolescent Treatment Africa (PATA)
• Desmond Tutu Health Foundation (DTHF)
• Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP)
• All Africa Council of Churches (AACC)
• Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)
• AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
• Community Health Alliance Uganda (CHAU)
• Technology for Inspiration Initiative (InspireIT)
• MA Santé
• Latkings Outreach Program
• Center for Future Generation (CFG)

Key Takeaways

1. Unified Advocacy Messaging:
Partners and council members aligned on the urgent need to shape and disseminate strong advocacy messaging that addresses the current global funding landscape and its implications for the HIV response. Emphasis was placed on combating misinformation, advocating for domestic financing and humanising narratives through storytelling.

2. Commitment to Messaging Dissemination:
Organisations pledged to integrate Africa REACH messaging into their existing platforms, ranging from social media and community radio to national policy dialogues and technical working groups. Suggestions included exploring TikTok to enhance youth engagement and ensuring messages resonate with children as a key population group.

3. Strengthening Youth and Child-Focused Advocacy:
Participants highlighted the importance of including children in message design processes and creating safe spaces for them to speak openly about their lived experiences. Future campaigns will seek to elevate their voices and perspectives across Africa REACH platforms.

4. Mobilising Civil Society:
The group acknowledged the need for broader civil society inclusion in conversations on sustainable HIV financing. Ensuring CSOs have a defined role at national and continental levels is essential to accelerate impact.

5. Research and Data for Advocacy:
Partners reaffirmed their commitment to leveraging research outcomes to support evidence-based advocacy. This includes using available data to develop tools, policy briefs and campaigns that can influence public opinion and policymaking.

6. Progress and Planning from the Secretariat:
Africa REACH’s Secretariat presented progress from the past six months and outlined next steps for the Strategic Plan Review (2023–2025) and the draft for the upcoming cycle.

Next Steps

• Finalisation of Commitment Document: A draft document summarising all partner and council commitments is under development and will be circulated for final inputs before dissemination.
• Strategic Plan Participation: All members were encouraged to actively participate in the review and drafting of the new strategic plan.
• Expanded Digital Engagement: Africa REACH will explore new digital platforms to increase youth engagement and storytelling reach.
• Continued Collaboration: Ongoing bilateral conversations will shape the implementation of 2025 priority activities, ensuring alignment with Africa REACH’s advocacy themes and goals.