Businesses for Health (B4H) is preparing a visually impactful campaign for World AIDS Day 2025, culminating in a hand-painted Red Ribbon Walkway stretching four kilometres from the Royal Papua Yacht Club up the Poreporena Freeway in Port Moresby.
The Red Ribbon, the international symbol of HIV awareness, will guide Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and business leaders to G4S Haus, Konedobu, for this year’s CEO HIV Lunch & Learn on Monday, December 1st.
Today, Sunday November 30th, the B4H team and volunteers will paint approximately 400 bright red AIDS ribbons, placed every ten metres along the main pedestrian corridor that passes banks, coffee shops, and major business houses.
The ribbons will be created using water-based, non-permanent, and washable paint, ensuring an environmentally responsible display.
By sunrise on World AIDS Day, thousands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) workers and pedestrians navigating Moresby’s notorious traffic jams will encounter the hundreds of ribbons.
Dr. Ann Clarke, Chair of Businesses for Health PNG, said that they hope the red ribbons spark conversations amongst the passengers and pedestrians.
“The ribbons are a reminder of the millions of lives lost to AIDS, the need for kindness in support of those affected by this lifelong, but now treatable infection.”
“Most importantly, we trust our younger commuters will be challenged to talk about how to protect themselves, their sexual partners, and future children.”
PNG now has 120, 000 people living with HIV, the highest number since the start of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The situation is critical:
- New HIV infections have risen sharply, with 11,000 people infected in the last year.
- Infections are particularly high among babies, young people, and women.
Businesses, workplaces, and community leaders have a crucial role to play in stopping the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
World AIDS Day remains a vital day to reflect, recommit to talking about sexual health, and act together to provide education that protects workers, families, and future children.
B4H specifically aims to promote discussion about the need for testing, encourage safer sexual practices by using condoms, and remind everyone that HIV is preventable, treatable, and manageable.
“With the right kind of leadership and visibility from everyone, we can end HIV in PNG.”
Meanwhile, the CEO HIV Lunch & Learn, supported by G4S and the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce, will bring together leaders from across the business community.
The session at G4S Haus, Konedobu, will focus on key areas for action:
- Trends in HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis in PNG.
- Innovations in testing and treatment.
- Workplace responsibilities for health, safety, and wellbeing.
- Action organizations can take to reduce new infections among their workforce and support affected employees.
Businesses for Health acknowledges the commitment of PNG’s business sector in raising awareness, supporting staff, and strengthening workplace health programs.
