81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 81)

The UN General Assembly High Level Week brings together leaders, advocates, and organizations from around the world. This year at UNGA 81, leaders will be gathering to discuss the most pressing global issues, covering economics, health, global security, and more.

Team EGPAF will be participating in a variety of high-level side events and meetings, advocating for the health of children of children and families.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Power of Partnership: Communities at the Heart of the HIV Response

Monday, September 21, 2026 | 9:30 – 11:00 am
Hosted by Devex in partnership with ViiV Healthcare
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Featuring EGPAF’s Doris Macharia and Sonia Ndimbira

Despite substantial progress toward the global 95–95–95 targets, the global HIV response faces a severe equity gap that disproportionately affects vulnerable populations. According to UNAIDS, only 55% of children living with HIV globally are receiving antiretroviral treatment, compared to 79% of adults. This stark disparity — alongside rising transmission risks among key populations and ongoing international assistance disruptions — underscores that innovation alone is insufficient.

Expanding therapeutic reach requires moving beyond traditional aid models toward resilient, decentralized community health system strengthening. ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action grant-giving program addresses these structural barriers by prioritizing community-led interventions, shared decision-making, and frontline health system strengthening. By shifting leadership to community implementers and local leaders, Positive Action equips grassroots organizations to dismantle stigma, improve diagnostic outreach, and sustain long-term engagement across the continuum of care.

The session moves the global dialogue from viewing communities as passive recipients of aid to positioning them as primary architects of health system resilience. We’ll explore how institutional funders, governments, and patient networks can align regulatory frameworks and flexible financing with frontline execution to build true health equity.

OAFLAD: A Legacy of Leadership – Delivering for Women and Girls

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Invite Only

Featuring EGPAF’s Rhoda Igweta and Sonia Ndimbira

This year’s High-Level Side Event will reflect on OAFLAD’s legacy of leadership and action for women and girls across Africa, as we look ahead to the organization’s 25th anniversary in 2027.

Communities of Faith Breakfast: Children First

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 7:00 – 9:15 am
Invite Only

Featuring EGPAF’s Doris Macharia

Hosted by the U.S. State Department, this gathering will be a moment to come together in solidarity and purpose, reflecting on the urgent task of ensuring that every child has the chance to be born free of HIV, protected from other diseases, and focus our efforts on caring for the child as a whole.

Accelerating the Three Zeros for Maternal & Child Survival in Africa

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Invite Only

Heads of State, Ministers, development partners and global leaders will convene in New York during the 81st UN General Assembly (#UNGA81) to accelerate action for maternal and child survival.

Hosted by H.E. Dr Samia Suluhu, President of Tanzania and African Union Champion for Maternal and Child Health, the high-level dialogue will build political commitment and accelerate action around the #ThreeZeros

• Zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths
• Zero unsafe deliveries and referrals without skilled care
• Zero unvaccinated children