Meeting of the WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections

This first meeting of the reconstituted WHO Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (STAG-HHS) will be held in person and virtual, from 20–22 November 2023, to reflect on challenges and threats in the global responses to HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections. The STAG-HHS will provide inputs into the first formal review of the implementation of the Global Health Sector Strategies for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections for 2022-2030 (GHSS), ahead of the World Health Assembly in 2024. 

The goal of the STAG-HHS is to provide the WHO Director-General with independent strategic and technical advice on WHO’s programme of work to scale up and maximize the impact of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for HIV, viral hepatitis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Objectives

Following presentations from the WHO Department of Global HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes (HHS), regional advisers from all WHO regions covering these disease areas, and presentations from WHO HHS collaborating departments, the STAG-HHS will:

• Develop recommendations for the Director-General and leadership of WHO to strategically position and advance the responses required to end AIDS and the epidemics of viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections by 2030, including through appropriate support for the implementation of the global health sector strategies on HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections for 2022-2030.
• Provide advice on strengthening WHO’s work to address HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections through common approaches and in line with WHO’s new priorities under the 14th General Programme of Work.
• Provide advice on strengthening WHO’s work on norms and standards and country support for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections through a focus on the latest science and on convergent actions that balance disease specific and health systems capacities to achieve country impact through PHC and UHC approaches.
• Provide advice on how WHO can best support country level sustainability plans while addressing shifting global health priorities including climate change, migration, pandemic response, and PHC approaches.