The Sustainable Prevention Initiative grew out of multi-country discussions at the 22nd International
Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), held in December 2023 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The convening was intended to share and advance country-led sustainable HIV prevention responses. The Initiative included the February 2025 convening in Lilongwe and a resulting joint Lancet HIV and Global Health paper series intended to examine and deepen the understanding of core capabilities and health systems functions that comprise the “how” of sustainable HIV prevention programming in sub-Saharan Africa. The convening was co-hosted by the Malawi National AIDS Commission, the Ministry of Health, and the Centre for Innovation in Global Health (CIGH) at Georgetown University and brought together national and subnational government leaders, civil society members, experts, and funders. The objectives of the convening were to 1) deepen dialogue and understanding of innovative health systems approaches to sustainable HIV prevention across Africa, and 2) to review and provide feedback on the analyses and ideas put forth by smaller working groups focused on the development of topical papers for the Lancet series. Participants also provided input on working drafts of the Lancet paper series through plenary discussions and breakout sessions during the convening. This convening took place from February 18th to 20th, 2025, in Lilongwe, Malawi. There were more than 60 attendees from 11 countries, largely drawn from national and subnational governments, implementers, regional HIV prevention experts, civil society, funders, and global actors with a stake in greater sustainability of HIV prevention interventions.
PALM Consulting Limited was engaged by Georgetown University as an intellectual and logistical partner for the Sustainable HIV Prevention Initiative. As a consultant, PALM Consulting Limited provided the following support for the Initiative: (i) Assisted CIGH in facilitating initial discussions with invited country leads and technical experts to gather insights for developing the Lancet paper series and support drafting elements of the papers; (ii) Worked closely with CIGH to develop the objectives and agenda for the convening, identify plenary speakers, breakout session facilitators, and rapporteurs, and manage additional logistical needs for the convening; (iii) Supported the overall facilitation of the convening, including coordinating plenary discussions, breakout sessions, and paper presentations.(iv) Managed and paid per diems for invited attendees through bank transfers and/or cash payments; (v) Prepared a report summarizing the key highlights of the convening.