“AIDS is not over and there is no reason to lean backwards. But at the same time we should avoid despair, we have good reasons to be hopeful. Amsterdam will start at home by stepping up our efforts to ensure we will be an aids-free city in 2030. It is an acknowledgement of all that we have achieved in our response to HIV. In recent years Amsterdam met the UN 90/90/90 goals. These facts means a lot in terms of improving the lives of thousands of people.

But that is still not the case around the world. The reasons why so many people in the world are still denied treatment are almost never medical reasons. They are bigotry, homophobia, religious fanaticism, unjust economic systems, and indifferent governments. Our weapons are not just medicine and evidence, but more important, our ideals of freedom, open mindedness and social progress. We believe Amsterdam has a responsibility to share its experiences with other cities. If cities cooperate internationally (like in the fast track cities initiative) urban centers around the world will greatly benefit from exchanging success stories and lessons learned in striving for zero new infections. Amsterdam will do its part, let’s do it together worldwide.”