*Manila, Philippines —* Faith leaders, health officials, youth, people living with HIV, and civil society are coming together for a historic three-day dialogue to put HIV back at the center of the health and moral agenda.
With the theme *"Faith Forward: Reclaiming HIV in the Health Agenda,"* the Multistakeholder Dialogue will be held on *September 24-26, 2026 at the Astoria Hotel, Philippines*, convening participants from government, faith-based organizations (FBOs), medical community, development partners, and key populations.
The Philippines has one of the fastest-growing HIV epidemics in Asia and the Pacific. Despite medical advances, stigma, misinformation, and shrinking space for dialogue continue to hamper response. This dialogue seeks to change that — by harnessing the unique moral influence of faith.
Why Faith? Why Now?
Faith communities reach where health systems often cannot. In a highly faith-driven country like the Philippines, pastors, priests, imams, and faith leaders are trusted gatekeepers who can either perpetuate stigma — or break it.
This dialogue will move beyond judgment to compassionate, evidence-based, and rights-affirming action.
Three Days, One Goal: From Dialogue to Action
*Day 1 — September 24: RECLAIMING THE REALITY*
Opening plenary: State of HIV in the Philippines in 2026
Voices from the ground: Testimonies from PLHIV, young key populations, and mothers
Faith and Science: Can compassion and condoms coexist?
*Day 2 — September 25: REFRAMING THE RESPONSE*
Multistakeholder Labs:
- Youth and Faith: Bridging the prevention gap
- Combating Stigma in Pulpits, Clinics, and Classrooms
- Sustainable Financing for Community-Led HIV Response
- Reclaiming UHC: Integrating HIV into Primary Health Care
*Day 3 — September 26: FORWARD TOGETHER*
Presentation of the *Faith Forward Covenant* — a shared commitment and action roadmap
Interfaith Prayer and Solidarity Service
Closing and Launch of Regional Faith & Health Network
Expected Outcomes:
1. *The Astoria Covenant on Faith and HIV* — a joint statement of principles and commitments from faith and health sectors
2. Creation of a *National Faith & Health Taskforce on HIV*
3. Concrete community action plans for local churches, mosques, and temples to implement stigma-free HIV education, testing referral, and care support.
- Faith-Based Organizations and Interfaith Networks
- Department of Health, PNAC, Local Government Units
- People Living with HIV (PLHIV) Networks and Key Population Communities
- Youth leaders, Health workers, CSOs, academe
- Development partners, private sector, and media
HIV is not just a medical issue. It is a moral issue, a youth issue, a justice issue.
For three days at the Astoria, we listened, learned, and lead — faith forward.
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