The CMO delivered the keynote address at the Pacific HIV Symposium in Fiji on Monday 17 August as part of an Australian delegation involving the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian CDC.

The symposium brought together Pacific governments, health professionals, community representatives, people with lived experience, researchers and civil society organisations.

A regional response is needed

HIV is increasingly affecting communities across parts of the Pacific, with growing numbers of diagnoses and related infections placing pressure on health systems.

The CMO highlighted the importance of countries working together because people and communities across the Pacific are closely connected through family, work, education, faith and travel.

A strong response will require cooperation across health services, community organisations, churches, justice and law enforcement, as well as collaboration between Pacific nations.

Changing international health funding arrangements also mean greater national ownership of HIV programs will be important. However, this does not mean countries need to work in isolation. Regional partnerships can strengthen national efforts while keeping Pacific priorities at the centre.

Tackling stigma and improving HIV awareness

Stigma remains a major barrier to controlling HIV. Limited understanding of HIV can make this problem worse.

People who are worried about judgement or having their status disclosed may delay testing, avoid treatment or stop engaging with health services.

The CMO stressed that HIV testing should be voluntary and confidential, with services designed to be safe, respectful and accessible.

Improving trust can encourage more people to test, access prevention services and stay connected with treatment.

What Australia has learned

Australia’s four decades of experience responding to HIV have highlighted several approaches that could support the Pacific response.

One key lesson is the value of involving people living with HIV and affected communities in decision-making. Peer-led organisations can build trust and help people understand prevention, seek testing, access treatment and remain engaged with care.

Another important lesson is the role of reliable information. Strong surveillance and reporting systems help governments understand where HIV is spreading and where resources are most needed. However, people must trust testing and reporting systems for the information collected to provide an accurate picture of the epidemic.

Evidence should also guide prevention strategies. In Fiji, unsafe injecting practices have emerged as a transmission risk. The CMO highlighted needle and syringe programs as one approach that can reduce the sharing of injecting equipment.

Effective HIV treatment is also an important prevention tool. People living with HIV who take effective treatment and maintain sustained viral suppression cannot transmit HIV through sex.

This makes early testing, rapid access to care and ongoing support for treatment essential parts of the response.

Prevention must remain a priority

The CMO also highlighted the importance of preventing new infections alongside treatment.

Fiji has introduced oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and is preparing to introduce long-acting injectable prevention options.

These developments could strengthen HIV prevention, but they need to be supported by testing, treatment, education and community engagement.

Preventing infections can also reduce future pressure and costs on health systems. New prevention technologies will need to reach the people and communities who need them in ways that are affordable, acceptable and sustainable.

Building HIV care into health systems

The speech also highlighted the need for HIV services to become part of broader health systems rather than operating separately.

Connections with primary care, sexual and reproductive health services, antenatal care, tuberculosis programs and community services can help make HIV responses more sustainable.

The response also needs to involve sectors beyond health, including communities, faith groups, legal systems and other organisations.

Australia to support Pacific-led action

Australia has committed to supporting countries across the Pacific while recognising that national and community leadership must remain central.

Australia has supported Fiji as part of the immediate response and has undertaken 10 rapid assessments across other Pacific Island countries.

Through the Australian Support for Pacific HIV Action investment of $48 million, Australia is supporting Pacific-led initiatives, including stronger health systems, community-led programs and access to priority health commodities.

The CMO said this support would be shaped by the priorities of individual countries, available evidence and the leadership of Pacific governments and communities.

Acting while there is still an opportunity

The CMO said the current situation presents an important opportunity for the Pacific to influence the future course of HIV.

Although case numbers remain relatively low in several Pacific countries, rising diagnoses mean there is a need for action now.

Community strength, family networks, faith, leadership and collective responsibility can all contribute to a stronger public health response.

Reducing stigma, protecting confidentiality, improving prevention, supporting health workers and listening to people with lived experience will be important to future progress.

The CMO said Australia would continue working with Pacific countries as a partner, with regional action guided by Pacific leadership.

Pacific Countries Urged to Act Early on Rising HIV Cases

Source: Keynote Speech by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer at the Pacific HIV Symposium, 17 August 2026.