London’s One Canada Square illuminated red to mark World AIDS Day 2024 – 02.12.24

• Positive East and Canary Wharf Group (CWG) come together to commemorate lost lives and raise awareness of World AIDS Day 2024 
• Event welcomes Wes Streeting MP for Ilford North, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional Director at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities

East London based HIV and sexual health charity Positive East and Canary Wharf Group (CWG) are proud to collaborate on an historic event, transforming a globally recognised building– One Canada Square – into a symbol of HIV awareness to mark World AIDS Day 2024. The halo, nearly 240 meters above the capital, tonight glows red, a colour ubiquitous to the HIV movement that signifies remembrance, reflection, hope and courage. This is the first time in One Canada Square’s 33-year history where World AIDS Day has been honoured in this way.

The event welcomed Rt Hon. Wes Streeting MP for Ilford North, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional Director at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities alongside community members and the Charity’s patrons, trustees and supporters in attendance.  Before the lighting of One Canada Square’s halo, a candle lit vigil took place to commemorate lost lives and give space for reflection.

Since 1988, communities have aligned on 1 December in a show of strength and solidarity, to collectively raise awareness of the global impact of HIV/AIDS, remember lives lost to the HIV pandemic and galvanise the community to continue addressing HIV stigma whilst fostering hope and unity.

World AIDS Day 2024 takes place during a time of significant medical and scientific advancements in the realm of HIV treatment and care. U=U, undetectable = untransmutable is fact, meaning that if you’re HIV positive and have an undetectable viral load, it is biologically impossible to pass the virus on sexually. There is now an HIV prevention pill – PrEP available on the NHS. London is a member of the Fast Tracks Cities initiative which seeks to end all new HIV transmissions by 2030 and maintain the UNAIDS global targets of 90-90-90.

Positive East has been on the forefront of HIV care and support since 1991 based in Stepney Green, Tower Hamlets.

CWG is developing a world-leading centre for health and life sciences.  The growing community features tenants including Genomics England, Barts Health NHS Trust and The Cancer Awareness Trust, a 40,000 sq ft Kadans Science Partner Innovation Centre and set to complete in 2027, the landmark development One North Quay, set to be Europe’s largest, most technically sophisticated purpose-built commercial lab building, an 823,000 sq ft vertical campus.  This partnership between CWG and health and wellbeing charity Positive East emphasises a shared mission of the advancement of health and life science capabilities in London.

Wes Streeting MP for Ilford North, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care remarked,

“This government has made it our mission to end new HIV transmissions within England by 2030. There can be no room for complacency. If we want to stop HIV, we have to act. That’s why I am delighted we’re extending the emergency department HIV opt-out testing scheme.

“Since it was first introduced, it has uncovered hundreds new diagnoses of HIV providing a vital safety net to all those infected, while helping to end the cycle of HIV transmission from one person to another.

“I would like to thank all of our partners for their work in this space, and as we work together toward creating the new HIV Action Plan.”

Mark Santos, Executive Director of Positive East remarked, “Positive East has worked across East London for over three decades, providing life-changing HIV support and prevention services. We are proud that on World AIDS Day, One Canada Square will be transformed into a red beacon of solidarity and hope, reflecting London’s commitment to challenging HIV stigma, supporting people living with HIV and ending all new HIV transmissions by 2030.”

Jane Hollinshead, Chief People Officer at Canary Wharf Group remarked “Our partnership with Positive East for World AIDS Day exemplifies how we can leverage our iconic spaces to raise awareness for critical health issues. By illuminating One Canada Square red, we’re not only commemorating those affected by HIV/AIDS, but also highlighting the incredible progress made in treatment and prevention. My thanks to our incredible CWG Unity Network for their efforts to highlight the amazing work done by Positive East”

Professor Kevin Fenton, London regional Director at the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities remarked, “World AIDS Day is an important time for Remembrance, Reflection, Recommitment and Hope. Lighting the halo on 1 Canada Square red on World AIDS Day 2024 broadcasts that hope across the Capital, and highlights our commitment to achieve our shared goals of ending new HIV cases, stopping HIV related stigma, and working to improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of people living with HIV in England by 2030.”