New York State Department of Health Announces Annual Ending the Epidemic Summit and World Aids Day Events

The 10th Annual Ending the Epidemic Summit and 27th World AIDS Day Events Scheduled for December 9-10

This Year's Theme: "One Journey. One Community. One Mission to End Epidemics."

New! Community Video Project: Automated Video Booth Available to Share Stories of Personal World AIDS Day Impact

AIDS Memorial Quilt Panels Will be on Display; Full Two-Day Agenda Here

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 9, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health announces the 10th annual Ending the Epidemic (ETE) Summit and 27th World AIDS Day (WAD) events being held December 9-10, 2025.

The annual ETE Summit, hosted by the New York State Department of Health, AIDS Institute, brings together hundreds of stakeholders from across the state to share successes, discuss innovative programs and explore strategies in the mission to end HIV/AIDS.

This year's theme is titled, "One Journey. One Community. One Mission to End Epidemics."

"This year's theme is a powerful reminder of the strength of community as we come together in our shared journey to reach the common goal of ending epidemics," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "We've bent the curve, but there's still work to do to eliminate health disparities and address intersecting epidemics of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis and substance use."

The ETE Summit will feature nationally recognized plenary speakers, engaging workshop sessions and annual ETE updates from state and local leaders. The Summit offers opportunities for networking with health care providers, policymakers, community leaders and people living with HIV/AIDS.

Annual World AIDS Day Event will feature:

  • Tour of the AIDS Memorial Quilt.
  • Commissioner's Special Recognition Awards.
  • Blue Candle Ceremony.
  • Dr. Linda Laubenstein HIV Clinical Excellence Award.

New this year, attendees can visit a new, automated video booth and record a personal story, message of hope or call to action as part of a Community Video Project. The theme of the project is, "What does World AIDS Day mean to you?" The booth will be open throughout the day on December 9 and selected videos will be showcased on the big screen on December 10.

The Department will also highlight progress toward Ending the Epidemic Goals including the updated ETE Dashboard and latest HIV Surveillance Report, the HCV and STI Dashboards, and the STI and HCV surveillance reports, which will be presented during the ETE summit.

2025 Ending the Epidemic Summit and World AIDS Day feature the following events:

Tuesday, December 9:

  • Welcome and opening remarks by State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald and New York City Health Department Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse.
  • An ETE update provided by State Department of Health AIDS Institute Director Joseph Kerwin.
  • A viewing of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which was created to honor, remember and celebrate the stories and lives of those lost to HIV/AIDS.
  • Keynote Address by Carl Baloney, Chief Executive Officer of AIDS United.

Wednesday, December 10:

  • World AIDS Day welcome delivered by Kraig Pannell, New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, Director of the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Services.
  • A blue candle lighting service to be held to commemorate World AIDS Day. The blue candle – symbolizing hope, healing and remembrance – has long been at the center of AIDS memorial services and activism. The candle originated at a vigil honoring San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk and San Francisco Mayor George Moscone in 1985, which is also where the concept of the AIDS Memorial Quilt was born.
  • World AIDS Day Commissioner's Special Recognition Awards Ceremony and Dr. Linda Laubenstein Award, recognizing community partners for their commitment, contribution and response to protect, improve and promote the health and well-being of all New Yorkers.

The New York State Department of Health remains committed to commemorating World AIDS Day and will continue to protect and promote health and well-being for all, building on a foundation of health equity – even as the federal government has made the devastating decision to end its decades-long tradition of recognizing World AIDS Day and honoring the memories of the lives lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Due to the historic and robust response and unwavering dedication of community-based organizations, hospitals and community health centers, non-clinical facilities and all of our state and local partners, New York State bent the curve on the HIV epidemic, reversing the decades-long increase in the number of people in New York living with diagnosed HIV – with new diagnoses decreasing by 26 percent since the start of the State's Ending the Epidemic efforts in 2014.

The New York State Department of Health's AIDS Institute is committed to eliminating transmission and improving the health and well-being of persons living with HIV, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted infections and individuals who use drugs, or identify as part of the LGBTQ+ population. 

More information about Ending the Epidemic and World AIDS Day, including a full calendar of events, can be found here.

Resources for New Yorkers who are living with HIV/AIDS can be found here.