When the Swiss AIDS Federation was founded on 2 June 1985, AIDS was associated with fear and exclusion. It was referred to as a ‘gay plague’; gay men were heavily stigmatised, and support structures were lacking. The organisation emerged from within this community – driven by solidarity, self-help and the need not to stand idly by. Today, the Swiss AIDS Federation acts as a bridge-builder between people living with HIV, specialists, politicians and the authorities – and serves as a centre of expertise for HIV and other STIs.

Federal Councillor Beat Jans also acknowledged the profound change in society’s approach to HIV since then in his speech at the Swiss AIDS Federation's anniversary celebration: ‘The fight against AIDS in Switzerland is a twofold success story: it is a success story in terms of the results – and, above all, a success story in terms of how we have reached this point. It shows what is possible when foresight, commitment, science, humanity and solidarity come together.’ The Swiss AIDS Federation has played a pivotal role in this development – through prevention, political advocacy and practical support services.

HIV is highly treatable – let’s not forget the people!

Medical care for people living with HIV has improved dramatically since the introduction of antiretroviral therapy. With effective treatment, viral replication in the body can be suppressed to such an extent that HIV is no longer detectable in the blood. The virus is then no longer transmissible – not even through sexual contact. This is a milestone in HIV prevention, which was recognised for the first time worldwide in Switzerland in 2008 by the authorities and the expert community (‘Swiss Statement’).

Despite this progress, HIV has not been eradicated. Discrimination, ignorance and structural barriers persist. Anne Lévy, Director of the Federal Office of Public Health, also addresses these challenges in her commemorative speech at the anniversary event: ‘Successful health policy excludes no one! What applied to the AIDS crisis remains just as important today.’ Combating HIV infections and infections with other STIs remains a key priority.

“HIV remains incurable to this day – but with treatment, people living with HIV now live as long and as healthily as those without HIV. The greatest challenge in Switzerland remains discrimination. That is why we must not let up: in the fight against stigmatisation and in the prevention of HIV and other STIs,” emphasises Andreas Lehner, Executive Director of the Swiss AIDS Federation.

Anniversary celebration on 13 June 2025 at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich

On 13 June 2025, the Swiss AIDS Federation, together with almost 750 guests, looked back on four decades of commitment. The anniversary celebration at the Swiss National Museum in Zurich featured speeches, music, performances and the traditional quilt ritual as a moment of silent remembrance. Guests included, amongst others, the President of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Switzerland, Rita Famos; the Vice-President of the Swiss Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Joseph Maria Bonnemain; Zurich Cantonal Councillor Jacqueline Fehr; the Mayor of Bern, Marieke Kruit; and IAS Director Birgit Poniatowski.

For President Paola Riva Gapany, the day was a time to look ahead: “I used to think: if one day we are no longer needed, we will have done everything right. Today I know that sexual health will always remain an issue,” said Paola Riva Gapany, President of the Swiss AIDS Federation. “HIV remains central – but we now cover a broader range of issues, are continuing to develop and will keep at it.”

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