The Fast-Track Cities initiative is a global partnership established in December 2014 by the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the City of Paris. This initiative aims to accelerate local AIDS responses towards achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets (now updated to 95-95-95) and ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The Fast-Track Cities conference serves as a crucial platform for urban centers to share strategies, address challenges, and reinforce their commitment to these ambitious goals.

What is the Fast-Track Cities Initiative?

The Fast-Track Cities initiative represents a concerted global effort to end the AIDS epidemic in urban settings by 2030. Launched in 2014, this partnership brings together key international organizations and city governments to accelerate local responses to HIV/AIDS. The initiative operates on the principle that cities, with their dense populations and unique challenges, are pivotal in achieving global targets for HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. By joining the Fast-Track Cities network, cities commit to intensifying their efforts and working collaboratively to reach ambitious goals. One of the primary aims of the Fast-Track Cities initiative is to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. These targets stipulate that by 2030, 95% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95% of people who know their status are on antiretroviral treatment (ART), and 95% of people on ART have achieved viral suppression. Achieving these targets is essential for reducing HIV transmission and improving the health outcomes of people living with HIV. The initiative provides a framework for cities to implement evidence-based strategies, share best practices, and monitor their progress toward these goals. Fast-Track Cities not only focus on achieving the 95-95-95 targets but also address broader issues related to urban health and social equity. This includes tackling stigma and discrimination, promoting access to healthcare for marginalized populations, and addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to HIV transmission and poor health outcomes. By taking a holistic approach, Fast-Track Cities aim to create healthier, more equitable urban environments for all residents. Through a combination of political commitment, strategic planning, and community engagement, the Fast-Track Cities initiative is driving progress toward ending the AIDS epidemic and improving urban health worldwide. The annual Fast-Track Cities conference is a key component of this initiative, providing a platform for cities to come together, share knowledge, and strengthen their collective efforts. The Fast-Track Cities initiative supports cities in their efforts to combat HIV/AIDS through various means, including technical assistance, resource mobilization, and advocacy. UNAIDS, IAPAC, and other partner organizations provide guidance and support to cities in developing and implementing effective HIV/AIDS programs. This support helps cities to overcome challenges, build capacity, and achieve their goals. Furthermore, the initiative facilitates the sharing of best practices among cities, allowing them to learn from each other's successes and avoid common pitfalls. This collaborative approach accelerates progress and ensures that cities are equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed. By fostering partnerships and promoting innovation, the Fast-Track Cities initiative is empowering cities to lead the way in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The Fast-Track Cities initiative has achieved significant milestones since its inception. Many cities have made substantial progress in expanding HIV testing, increasing access to treatment, and reducing new infections. These successes demonstrate the effectiveness of the initiative's approach and the commitment of participating cities. However, challenges remain, including reaching marginalized populations, addressing stigma and discrimination, and ensuring sustainable funding for HIV/AIDS programs. The Fast-Track Cities initiative continues to evolve and adapt to meet these challenges, with a focus on innovation, equity, and community engagement. As the initiative moves forward, it will continue to play a critical role in ending the AIDS epidemic and creating healthier, more equitable cities for all. The Fast-Track Cities initiative embodies a collaborative and strategic approach to addressing one of the most pressing global health challenges. By empowering cities to take action and providing them with the support they need to succeed, the initiative is making a tangible difference in the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and contributing to the creation of healthier, more vibrant urban communities. The annual Fast-Track Cities conference is a testament to this commitment, bringing together leaders, experts, and advocates to share knowledge, build partnerships, and drive progress toward a future free from AIDS. The Fast-Track Cities initiative is not just about ending the AIDS epidemic; it's about creating healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable cities for all. By addressing the social determinants of health, promoting access to healthcare, and fostering community engagement, the initiative is helping to build stronger, more resilient urban communities. This holistic approach is essential for achieving long-term success and ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to thrive. As the world continues to urbanize, the Fast-Track Cities initiative will become increasingly important in shaping the future of urban health and development.

Who Should Attend the Fast-Track Cities Conference 2024?

The Fast-Track Cities conference is designed to bring together a diverse group of stakeholders involved in urban HIV/AIDS responses. This includes public health officials, healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, community leaders, and advocates. The conference offers a unique opportunity for these individuals to network, share knowledge, and collaborate on strategies to accelerate progress towards ending the AIDS epidemic in urban settings. Public health officials play a critical role in planning and implementing HIV/AIDS programs at the city and regional levels. The conference provides a platform for them to learn about the latest evidence-based interventions, innovative approaches, and best practices in HIV prevention, testing, and treatment. By attending the conference, public health officials can gain valuable insights that will inform their work and help them to improve the effectiveness of their programs. Healthcare providers are on the front lines of HIV/AIDS care, providing essential services to people living with HIV. The conference offers opportunities for healthcare providers to update their knowledge on the latest advances in HIV treatment and care, learn about new diagnostic tools and technologies, and improve their skills in providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. By attending the conference, healthcare providers can enhance their ability to deliver high-quality care and improve the health outcomes of their patients. Policymakers have the power to create policies and allocate resources that can significantly impact the HIV/AIDS response. The conference provides a forum for policymakers to engage with experts, learn about the policy implications of new research findings, and discuss strategies for creating supportive legal and regulatory environments for HIV prevention and treatment. By attending the conference, policymakers can gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the HIV/AIDS field and make informed decisions that will advance the goals of the Fast-Track Cities initiative. Researchers play a vital role in generating new knowledge and evidence that informs the HIV/AIDS response. The conference provides a platform for researchers to present their latest findings, share their insights, and collaborate with other researchers on new research projects. By attending the conference, researchers can contribute to the growing body of knowledge on HIV/AIDS and help to develop more effective interventions and strategies. Community leaders and advocates are essential partners in the HIV/AIDS response, representing the voices of people living with HIV and advocating for their rights and needs. The conference provides a space for community leaders and advocates to share their experiences, raise awareness about the challenges faced by their communities, and advocate for policies and programs that will improve the lives of people living with HIV. By attending the conference, community leaders and advocates can strengthen their networks, build their capacity, and amplify their voices in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In addition to these key stakeholders, the Fast-Track Cities conference is also relevant to individuals working in related fields, such as urban planning, social services, and community development. The conference recognizes that HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue but also a social and economic issue, and that addressing the epidemic requires a multi-sectoral approach. By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, the conference fosters collaboration and innovation, and helps to create more comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the challenges of HIV/AIDS. The conference also welcomes students and early-career professionals who are interested in learning more about the HIV/AIDS field and contributing to the global response. The conference provides opportunities for students and early-career professionals to network with established leaders in the field, attend educational sessions, and present their own research findings. By engaging the next generation of leaders, the conference helps to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Fast-Track Cities initiative and the global effort to end the AIDS epidemic. The Fast-Track Cities conference is a valuable event for anyone who is passionate about improving urban health and ending the AIDS epidemic. Whether you are a public health official, a healthcare provider, a policymaker, a researcher, a community leader, or an advocate, the conference offers opportunities to learn, network, and collaborate with others who share your commitment to this important cause. By attending the conference, you can contribute to the growing momentum of the Fast-Track Cities initiative and help to create a future where all cities are free from AIDS.

Key Themes and Topics to Be Addressed

The Fast-Track Cities conference typically covers a range of critical themes and topics related to urban HIV/AIDS responses. These themes reflect the evolving challenges and opportunities in the field and are designed to provide attendees with the latest information and insights to inform their work. One of the key themes is accelerating progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. This includes strategies for expanding HIV testing, improving access to treatment, and ensuring viral suppression among people living with HIV. The conference explores innovative approaches to reaching these targets, such as community-based testing programs, mobile health technologies, and differentiated care models. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about successful interventions and share their own experiences in working towards these goals. Another important theme is addressing stigma and discrimination. Stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment, particularly for marginalized populations. The conference examines the root causes of stigma and discrimination and explores strategies for reducing their impact. This includes education and awareness campaigns, legal and policy reforms, and community empowerment initiatives. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about effective interventions for combating stigma and discrimination and to share their own experiences in promoting inclusivity and respect. The conference also addresses the social determinants of health. The social determinants of health, such as poverty, inequality, and lack of access to education and employment, can significantly impact HIV risk and health outcomes. The conference explores the links between these social factors and HIV and examines strategies for addressing them. This includes integrated approaches that combine HIV prevention and treatment with interventions to improve education, employment, housing, and other social services. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about innovative programs that address the social determinants of health and to share their own experiences in working across sectors to improve health outcomes. The conference also focuses on reaching key populations. Certain populations, such as men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, and people who inject drugs, are disproportionately affected by HIV. The conference examines the specific challenges faced by these populations and explores strategies for reaching them with effective HIV prevention and treatment services. This includes tailored interventions that address the unique needs of these populations and community-led approaches that empower them to take control of their health. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about successful programs for reaching key populations and to share their own experiences in working with these communities. The conference also addresses the issue of sustainable financing for HIV/AIDS programs. Sustainable financing is essential for ensuring the long-term success of HIV/AIDS programs. The conference explores innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships and domestic resource mobilization, and examines strategies for advocating for increased investment in HIV/AIDS programs. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about successful financing models and to share their own experiences in securing sustainable funding for their programs. In addition to these key themes, the Fast-Track Cities conference also covers a range of other topics, such as the use of data and technology in HIV/AIDS programs, the role of community engagement in the HIV/AIDS response, and the integration of HIV/AIDS services with other health services. The conference provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the field and offers attendees a wealth of information and resources to inform their work. The Fast-Track Cities conference is a valuable opportunity for individuals working in the field of HIV/AIDS to learn, network, and collaborate with others who share their commitment to ending the epidemic. By attending the conference, attendees can gain valuable insights, learn about innovative approaches, and contribute to the growing momentum of the Fast-Track Cities initiative. The conference is a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.

How to Get Involved

Getting involved with the Fast-Track Cities initiative and the conference can take many forms, depending on your interests and expertise. Whether you are a public health professional, a community advocate, or simply someone who is passionate about ending the AIDS epidemic, there are numerous ways to contribute. Attending the Fast-Track Cities conference is one of the most direct ways to get involved. The conference offers a wealth of opportunities to learn about the latest developments in the field, network with other professionals, and share your own experiences and insights. By attending the conference, you can gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the fight against HIV/AIDS and contribute to the collective effort to end the epidemic. Presenting at the conference is another way to get involved. If you have research findings, program evaluations, or innovative approaches to share, consider submitting an abstract for presentation at the conference. Presenting your work can help to raise awareness about your efforts, share your expertise with others, and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on HIV/AIDS. Volunteering at the conference is a great way to support the event and get involved behind the scenes. Volunteers play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of the conference, assisting with registration, logistics, and other tasks. By volunteering, you can make a valuable contribution to the success of the conference and gain valuable experience in event planning and management. Joining the Fast-Track Cities network is a more long-term way to get involved. The Fast-Track Cities network is a global partnership of cities committed to accelerating their HIV/AIDS responses. By joining the network, your city can commit to implementing evidence-based strategies, sharing best practices, and working collaboratively to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. Advocating for the Fast-Track Cities initiative is another important way to get involved. You can raise awareness about the initiative among your colleagues, friends, and family, and encourage your local leaders to support the initiative. By advocating for the Fast-Track Cities initiative, you can help to ensure that it receives the resources and support it needs to succeed. Supporting organizations working on HIV/AIDS is a more general way to get involved. There are many organizations around the world working to prevent HIV, treat people living with HIV, and advocate for their rights. By supporting these organizations, you can contribute to the global effort to end the AIDS epidemic and improve the lives of people living with HIV. Participating in local HIV/AIDS programs is another way to get involved. Many communities have local HIV/AIDS programs that offer testing, treatment, and support services. By participating in these programs, you can make a direct impact on the lives of people living with HIV and contribute to the health of your community. Educating yourself about HIV/AIDS is a first step to getting involved. The more you know about HIV/AIDS, the better equipped you will be to contribute to the fight against the epidemic. There are many resources available online and in your community that can help you learn more about HIV/AIDS. By educating yourself, you can become an informed advocate and a valuable member of the HIV/AIDS community. Getting involved with the Fast-Track Cities initiative and the conference is a rewarding way to make a difference in the world. Whether you choose to attend the conference, present your work, volunteer your time, or support the initiative in other ways, your contribution will be valued and appreciated. Together, we can accelerate progress towards ending the AIDS epidemic and creating healthier, more equitable cities for all.