Since the introduction of the first HIV programs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in the 1980s, there are still significant challenges to prevent new infections and ensure PLHIV have access to appropriate treatment and care. Major issues include a lack of political will, absence of clear strategies to prevent HIV transmission, inadequate resources and staffing in treatment facilities, criminalization laws, and the neglect of key populations (KPs) in HIV policies. 

Consequently, despite the existence of national HIV strategies, the infection rate in MENA countries remains high due to the failure to address critical issues in the HIV response. These issues include a lack of awareness about testing, limited availability of testing and treatment facilities outside of urban areas, inadequate social awareness campaigns to combat stigma, active discrimination against key populations that discourages them from seeking government facilities for testing and treatment, limited employment opportunities for PLHIV, and a shortage of trained professionals to provide HIV treatment.

Through a panel discussion, this session will present the progress experienced in the region since the beginning of the epidemics, the urgent challenges faced by people living with HIV in MENA countries and share how communities are working to expand access to crucial prevention and treatment services in the region.

1. Moderator: Ayouba El Hamri, Love Alliance Country Focal Point (Morocco)

Panelists:

1. Speaker: Tariq El Alaoui, MENA Communities (Morocco)
2. Speaker: Taline Torikian, MENAROSA (MENA) 
3. Speaker: Wessam Ashraf, HIV Activist (Egypt) 
4. Speaker: D. Mohamed Alborji, LGBT & HIV Activist (Egypt)