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Although HIV is preventable, it remains a significant public health concern in EU/EEA countries, with around 24,000–25,000 new diagnoses reported each year. This figure has stabilised in recent years and is no longer decreasing, with increases observed in certain geographies and population groups. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) estimates that close to 800,000 people are living with HIV in the region, most of whom are diagnosed. However, nearly half of new diagnoses occur at a late stage of infection, often several years after exposure, when individuals may be diagnosed too late for optimal medical outcomes, face a significantly higher risk of poor health, and may have unknowingly transmitted the virus. Strengthening screening, testing, prevention, treatment and care is therefore essential to reduce new infections.

Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is a global target under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Central to this are the 95-95-95 targets, updated in 2021 and increasingly complemented by a “fourth 95” focused on prevention. Together, these aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression, effectively making transmission impossible, while ensuring a good quality of life for those living with HIV. While there is still no cure yet, high quality, innovative and effective treatment enables people living with HIV to lead long and healthy lives.

Comprehensive combination prevention approaches, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), condoms, regular and diversified testing, harm reduction, and efforts to address stigma and discrimination, are key to reducing transmission. High quality, innovative and effective tools, such as long-acting prevention options, can further strengthen HIV prevention and management across Europe, provided they reach populations at risk and vulnerable groups.

Investing in the fight against HIV is not only a public health priority, but also a strategic social and economic investment. Effective prevention reduces long-term healthcare costs, avoids preventable illness, protects productivity, and strengthens health system resilience. Achieving the 2030 targets will require stronger political commitment, sustained EU and national funding, and coordinated EU-level action that supports and complements Member States’ efforts. In this context, the EU institutions and the Trio Council Presidency (Ireland, Lithuania and Greece) have a key role to play in signalling renewed political commitment and ambition.

Join this Euractiv Virtual Conference to explore how the EU should renew its political commitment on HIV, what policy measures and resources are required, notably from the EU institutions, and how to accelerate progress towards ending HIV in Europe and achieving zero new HIV transmissions by 2030.

Key questions include:

- How can the EU institutions and the current Trio Council Presidency give a clear signal for a renewed political commitment to end HIV in Europe?
- How can political, economic and healthcare efforts be better aligned, including through sustained EU and national funding?
- How can innovative interventions reach populations at risk and vulnerable groups, and what role EU funds can play in accompanying those efforts?
- What do ECDC data and other modelling reports reveal about the potential impact on healthcare systems, the economy and society if current interventions are not scaled up?

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