On World AIDS Day, the Brazilian state of São Paulo signed the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities Ending the AIDS Epidemic. This was an important event because of the leadership position that the state of São Paulo has in Brazil and Latin America. The state has 645 municipalities and 47 million inhabitants. If it were an independent country, it would be the 21st largest economy in the world. The state of São Paulo committed to the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat in its territory by 2030.
The accumulated experience of integrated management, support for building capacity of technical staff and innovative actions with particular attention to key populations are some of the elements that emphasize the relevance and impact of the addition of the state of São Paulo to the Fast-Track Cities network. This, may have a direct impact on the lives of key and vulnerable populations and also serve as a reference and inspiration for other Brazilian cities and states.
The Paris Declaration was signed by the State Secretary of Health of the State of São Paulo, Jean Gorinchteyn, representing the state governor, at a ceremony at the Government Palace, in the presence of UCD Brazil, Claudia Velasquez, and UNAIDS team, government authorities and representatives of civil society.