In spite of the chill in the mountain air, the atmosphere of the Forum was warm and energizing. Over 60 participants from different regions of Ukraine and international guests actively participated in discussions regarding the role and opportunities for positive women and their organizations in the implementation of the National Sustainability Strategy to End AIDS, development of the new National AIDS Programme with Fast Track targets, National SDGs operationalization at the community level as a part of the local programmes on Health, Gender, and Social Protection. Special sessions were devoted to positive women needs, access to sexual and reproductive health services, healthy nutrition and physical activities.

The agenda of the Forum was far-reaching and enabled to place the planning of the work for the next year and anchor it to the ongoing processes related to the Health System Reform, including transition from donors to domestic financing, the current situation on the HIV and AIDS epidemic, with the respect for the Human Rights and gender equality principles.

UNAIDS facilitated session was devoted to the National SDGs, new UNDAF and UN Joint Programme on support on HIV/AIDS 2018-2022. Discussions were held on country progress and challenges towards the achievement of 90 90 90 targets.

Currently, more than 50 000 women, living with HIV in Ukraine do not know their HIV status. 23,000 of women who know their status and are under medical supervision do not receive ART. Each year from 7,000 to 10,000 women are getting infected with HIV.

The 3d Forum witnessed a very positive trend in the professionalization of the network with its increasing role in targeted budget advocacy for HIV related services, removing legislative barriers for services accessibility, addressing HIV related discrimination and gender-based violence.