Overview
Fast-Track Cities is a worldwide movement towards ending HIV. Birmingham joined the Fast-Track Cities+ initiative at the official signing ceremony on 5 October 2022.
At the signing event, key partners came together to witness the signing of the Paris Declaration by:
- Councillor Maureen Cornish - the then Lord Mayor of Birmingham
- Tanja Dittfeld - Regional Director for Europe at the Fast-Track Cities Institute
Why is it called Fast-Track Cities+
The original initiative focused on HIV. In Birmingham we have added viral hepatitis (Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) and tuberculosis. These conditions are common in the city and can be tackled alongside HIV.
This is why we now call the initiative Fast-Track Cities+. The “plus” reflects the work on viral hepatitis and tuberculosis.
Who is involved
The initiative's progress is led by Public Health with support from local partners, including:
- people with lived experience
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS England Specialised Commissioning
- Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
- Umbrella
- Saving Lives UK
- The Hepatitis C Trust
- Change Grow Live
- Gilead, Cepheid, MSD and other industry representatives
What our partners say
At the signing ceremony, Councillor Mariam Khan, Health and Social Care Cabinet Member for the council, said:
“We have taken the bold action of officially declaring Birmingham as a Fast-Track City, and through signing the Paris Declaration the city will significantly benefit as it consists of a set of commitments to enable us to work closely with key stakeholders and health sector partners to end the public health threats posed by HIV. The Red Ribbons memorial is a reminder of loved ones lost to AIDS and HIV, but also the importance to end the stigma around blood-borne viruses.”
You can watch the video below to hear what the Fast-Track Cities+ initiative means to some of our partners.
Page last updated: 28 July 2026
