San Antonio and Bexar County renew their commitment to combatting HIV by extending their partnership with Fast-Track Cities, a global initiative aimed at ending the HIV epidemic by 2030. In a recent ceremony held on April 15, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and Mayor Ron Nirenberg signed the Sevilla Agreement and Paris Declaration 4.0. These agreements signify their dedication to expanding services, increasing educational efforts to reduce stigma, and improving access to affordable care for individuals living with HIV.
"We are partners in this cause and pledge to work together on this important health issue to improve the lives of everyone in Bexar County. We are committed to supporting communities affected by HIV," said Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai.
San Antonio has been part of the Fast-Track Cities initiative since 2017, making it the first Texas community to join. The initiative aligns with the new UN Global AIDS Strategy (2021-2026), which includes specific targets known as 95-95-95: ensuring that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status, 95 percent of diagnosed individuals are receiving treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads.
“The City of San Antonio continues its steadfast commitment to ending HIV by executing strategies focused on prevention, treatment, and support,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. “The time is now for San Antonio to do more, to be better, to engage people without shame or stigma.”
Dr. Jose M. Zuniga, President and CEO of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) and Fast-Track Cities Institute (FTCI) added, “Our efforts to end the HIV epidemic must be guided by the voices and needs of communities most affected. Placing affected communities at the center of urban HIV responses is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity to advance effective, inclusive, and sustainable interventions aimed at curbing new infections and preventing AIDS-related deaths. I salute Judge Peter Sakai and Mayor Ron Nirenberg for their political leadership in affirming a shared dedication to placing the voices and needs of those most affected by HIV at the forefront of the HIV response in San Antonio and Bexar County.”
The recommitment to Fast-Track Cities will also impact the End Stigma End HIV Alliance, a collective of 25+ local organizations including Metro Health, which aims to improve collaborative and educational efforts in San Antonio.
More information about Fast-Track Cities is available on the organization’s website.