Delyn MS Hannah Blythyn hosts World AIDS Day event at the Senedd
Delyn MS Hannah Blythyn has hosted this year’s Fast Track Cymru World AIDS Day reception at the Senedd, bringing together health professionals, campaigners, and people with lived experience from across Wales.
The annual event marked World AIDS Day by celebrating progress, remembering those lost to HIV and AIDS, and reaffirming Wales’ national commitment to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.
Speaking ahead of the event, Hannah Blythyn MS said: “I am pleased to sponsor the Fast Track Cymru World AIDS Day event at the Senedd. World AIDS Day is a moment to remember those we have lost, recognise the enormous progress we have made, and to recommit to tackling stigma, improving access to testing, and ensuring that everyone living with HIV can live well.
“Wales is leading the way as a Fast Track Nation, and our HIV Action Plan continues to support prevention, early diagnosis and innovative approaches to care. I’m proud to stand with all those working to deliver a Wales with zero new HIV transmissions today and every day.”
World AIDS Day, held each year on 1 December, highlights the Welsh Government’s HIV Action Plan for Wales 2023–26, which sets out a comprehensive strategy for prevention, testing, treatment, and tackling stigma.
Wales continues to record some of the highest HIV testing levels in the UK, supported by the free and confidential online Test and Post service. More than 33,000 test kits have been distributed across over 480 community settings, helping to boost early diagnosis and access to care.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Jeremy Miles MS said: “Earlier this year, I confirmed the funding to support the delivery of the HIV Action Plan over the remainder of its lifetime. A significant element of this has enabled the continuation of our national, free and confidential online Test and Post service and the expansion of free test kits in local communities.
“All health boards have now signed up to the Fast Track Paris Declaration, making Wales a Fast Track Nation. It demonstrates our commitment to ensuring no one will be left behind in accessing equitable healthcare and confronting HIV-related stigma and discrimination.
“This is a remarkable achievement, and we will issue a tender in January to fund an all-Wales coalition to build on our progress.”
Wales recorded a 20% reduction in new HIV cases over the past year, a milestone reflecting the impact of awareness campaigns, improved testing, and early access to treatment.
At the Senedd reception, speakers highlighted ongoing investment in awareness work, education initiatives, and NHS staff training aimed at tackling stigma and promoting inclusive care for people living with HIV.
Fast Track Cymru Executive Director Sarah Maslen-Roberts said: “Ending new transmissions is not just about medicine or data or diagnostics. It is about listening. It is about trust. It is about seeing people fully; without judgement, without assumptions, without stigma.
“We have come so far, and we should absolutely celebrate that. But we must also carry forward the humility and determination that got us here. This movement was not built on complacency. It was built on courage.
“So today, as we honour World AIDS Day, let us remember those we’ve lost. Let us honour the survivors and the fighters. Let us acknowledge the communities who carried this work long before it was recognised, long before resources existed, long before governments listened.
“And let us commit, fully, collectively, unapologetically, that Wales will not just be the first Fast Track Nation in name, but in action.”
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