On Wednesday 24th March the APPG held its annual general meeting.
At the meeting the Chair gave a report on the work of the APPG over the past 12 months. During his report, he thanked Susie Pelly who had been the Senior Policy advisor for over 5 years who had stood down in September. The Chair welcomed Mark Lewis the new Senior Policy Advisor and acknowledged the work he has done since taking the role in November.
The Chair spoke of the COVID-19 and HIV and The Missing Link: HIV and Mental Health reports the APPG launched in 2020, World AIDS Day and HIV testing week.
In the treasurers report, the treasurer updated on the continuing work the APPG is carrying out to fundraise to ensure that the APPG maintains its effectiveness in ensuring HIV stays on the public health agenda in the UK and on the global health agenda globally.
The Chair then thanked Dr Ben Spencer and Sarah Champion who stood down as Vice Chairs before an unanimous vote in elected 8 new officers to the APPG.
An overview of the APPG work programme for the year was set out by the Policy Officer.
Going forward, the APPG will be focussing on the following areas:
Ensuring that an HIV Action Plan is adopted in each of the four Nations
Better access to HIV Testing
Better access to PrEP
Funding for HIV programmes in the UK and Globally are secured
The quality of life for those living with HIV is improved.
As an APPG we will do everything we can to be a powerful voice in Parliament for HIV and the organisations that work in the field. We will not let HIV be forgotten during the pandemic and beyond.
Stephen Doughty MP, Chair said:
I'm pleased to confirm that I have been re-elected Chair of the APPG on HIV and aids. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS aims to be the voice in Parliament of those living with HIV and campaigns on multiple issues, including early better access to testing and prevention, funding for HIV programmes, ending stigma and ending new transmissions of HIV by 2030.
I'm looking forward to continuing to build on the work the APPG has already done and working with a dedicated teams to meet the goals of the APPG.
