On Thursday 13th February, Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership signed the Paris Declaration and joined the Fast Track Cymru Initiative. As a Partnership member, this confirms our commitment to work collaboratively to end new transmissions of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

Over the past five years huge progress has been made in improving access to testing and treatment, and Wales can be proud of the significant reduction seen in new diagnoses of HIV. Between 2015 and 2021 new diagnosis of HIV decreased by 75%. However, HIV continues to be an important public health issue.

Fast Track Cymru is a network of cities and regions across Wales working together as part of a new effort to end new transmissions of HIV in Wales by 2030.

Funded by Welsh Government, the Fast Track Cymru network is hosted by Pride Cymru and operates under a national Advisory Council. Fast Track Cymru involves key stakeholders from across Wales, working together in line with the Welsh Government HIV Action Plan for Wales 2023-2026.

Interlink RCT’s goal in joining Fast Track Cymru is to encourage and enable collaboration so that we can work together towards an HIV-transmission free 2030, improving prevention, testing, treatment and care, and reducing stigma across our communities.

Interlink RCT are proud to be joining the Fast Track Cymru Initiative. We are committed to supporting people from diverse backgrounds and will continue to work with the community to share information, challenge stigma and break down barriers that many people living with HIV face.

Councillor Rhys Goode (Bridgend County Borough Council, Fast Track CTM Chair said: “I am proud that Interlink RCT has officially become part of the Fast Track Cymru family working to eliminate HIV transmissions and stigma in Wales by 2030. In Wales today, too many people have an outdated understanding of HIV and I look forward to CTM playing its part in spreading the message that by 2030 everyone should know their status and that with effective treatment you can’t pass HIV on.”

For more information on the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership visit: https://www.ctmregionalpartnershipboard.co.uk