Toronto/IBNS: Observing World AIDS Day at the start of Indigenous AIDS Awareness Week in Canada, Toronto has joined Fast-Track Cities, a network of more than 600 cities worldwide committed to ending the HIV epidemic locally, a news release has said.

The Paris and Sevilla Declarations were signed by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, in a ceremony to formalize the city’s inclusion in the Fast-Track Cities network.

“The HIV/AIDS epidemic sparked a powerful movement rooted in compassion, care and solidarity against stigma and discrimination…the Fast Track Cities Network and the dedication of our local service providers and organizations…promote health and well-being, and position Toronto alongside other great cities that are working towards ending HIV,” Olivia Chow said in a news release

Proclamation of the Mayor’s World AIDS Day is available on the webpage.

“Through close collaboration…Thousands of Torontonians benefit from access to HIV testing, prevention, and treatment options…Let’s fast-track our efforts to prevent new HIV infections, avert AIDS-related deaths, and end HIV-related stigma,” said Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa

Having seen a sustained increase in reported HIV infections since 2016 (with the exception being during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a decrease in sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing.), The city of Toronto’s participation in the Fast-Track Cities Network was done at a crucial time.

Although HIV incidence in Toronto has reached pre-pandemic levels, there has been a nearly 40 percent decline in routine STI testing from 2019 to 2021, revealed by Toronto Public Health’s 2023 Population Health Profile.

Having claimed 40.4 million lives with ongoing transmission globally, HIV remains a major global public health issue including within countries that had sustained decreases in new infections.

Encouraging residents to take part in World AIDS Day activities, Toronto Public Health says recent advancements in HIV prevention and treatment can be learnt, and support those affected by HIV.

A collaboration that unites cities from around the world to collectively address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the Fast-Track Cities Network is supported by the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care as well as Fast-Track Cities Institute.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)