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Community leaders meet with WHO director-general to reaffirm mutual engagement

July 8, 2026 · 1 min read

GDF

Wed, 07/08/2026 - 17:08

Community leaders on 3 July met with WHO director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus as he reaffirmed WHO ’ s commitment to community leadership and meaningful engagement.

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Dr Tedros meets with representatives of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, Geneva, Switzerland, 3 July 2026.

Photo: Christopher Black/WHO

Among those gathered was Gracia Violeta Ross, WCC programme executive for HIV, Reproductive Health, and Pandemics. Others included Anton Basenko, International Network of People who use Drugs; Amanita Calderon-Cifuentes, Trans Europe and Central Asia, Berlin; Erika Castellanos, Global Alliance for Trans Equality; Keren Dunaway, Organizaci ón Llanto, Valor y Esfuerzo; Mariana Iacono, International Community of Women Living with HIV; Doreen Moracha, Yaound é National Empowerment Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Kenya; and Ulrich Mvate Yemlet, Humanity First Cameroon.

The community leaders were in Geneva for the 58th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board meeting.

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Source: World Council of Churches · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (5) 🌐 Show original

Александр Киселёв

Interestingly, among the participants are Anton Basenko from the network of people who use drugs and representatives of the trans community. Where were the regular parish priests or volunteers from Orthodox organizations who also work with HIV and addicts?

Gjergj Dhima

Alexander's question made me think. In Albania, we have some Orthodox priests and volunteers who work with people suffering from HIV and addiction, but we never see them invited to such meetings with the WHO. Perhaps we should ask ourselves why our community remains outside these tables.

Margarita Prifti

George, you are right, Alexander's question is valid. I know a priest from Durrës who regularly goes to a center for people with HIV and addiction, but I have never seen him invite people from the church to such meetings with the WHO. Maybe we should start by connecting more with local organizations working on the ground, what do you think?

Olimbia Prifti

Yes, Margarita, you are right about that priest from Durrës – I have heard about his work in the addiction center. But it seems to me that our churches are still waiting for an official invitation, while we can start by connecting with local organizations like those in Tirana or Gjirokastër. Do you have a specific contact we can try?

Yes, Olimbia, the priest from Durrës really did a good job in that addiction center, I heard it too. I think we can start by contacting the organization "Aksion Plus" in Tirana, because they work a lot with people who have such problems. Do you have their number or email?