ICASO

We are proud to share the ICASO Legacy Document — a reflection of more than three decades of solidarity, advocacy, and commitment to human rights.

This is not only ICASO’s story, but a tribute to the communities and movements that have shaped the global HIV response.

As ICASO closes, our commitment does not end.

The flame now belongs to all of you. Carry it forward.

(click https://icaso.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ICASO-Together-we-are.pdf)

— Mary Ann

P.S. A Spanish version will be available shortly.

icaso.org

Queridos/as amigas/os y colegas ,

Después de más de 35 años de trabajo, ICASO ha completado el proceso de cierre de sus operaciones. Este ha sido un momento profundo y emocional para mí personalmente, y para todas las personas que hemos formado parte de este camino.

Al cerrar este capítulo, quisiera compartir dos actualizaciones importantes:

- Presencia – Aunque las operaciones de ICASO han finalizado, la organización permanecerá legalmente activa hasta que se complete la revocación de nuestro estatus de caridad. Esto garantiza que todas las obligaciones se cumplan con responsabilidad y transparencia.

- Nuestro legado – En las próximas semanas lanzaremos un documento especial que reflexiona sobre el camino recorrido por ICASO, nuestras contribuciones y las lecciones aprendidas. También será una celebración de las alianzas y movimientos que seguirán llevando este trabajo hacia adelante.

Quiero aprovechar esta oportunidad para agradecerles por haber caminado junto a ICASO a lo largo de décadas de incidencia, movilización y avances. Nuestros logros nunca fueron solo nuestros: los construimos junto con ustedes.

El espíritu de ICASO vivirá en las comunidades, organizaciones y liderazgos que continúan luchando por la justicia, la equidad y los derechos humanos en la respuesta global al VIH y más allá.

Con profunda gratitud y respeto,
Mary Ann

Dear friends, colleagues, and partners,

After more than 35 years of work, ICASO has now completed the winding down of its operations. This has been a profound and emotional moment for me personally, and for all of us who have been part of this journey.

As we close this chapter, I would like to share two important updates:

- Continued Presence – While ICASO’s operations have ended, the organization will remain legally present until the revocation of our charitable status is finalized. This ensures that all obligations are fulfilled with responsibility and transparency.

- Honoring Our Legacy – In the weeks ahead, we will launch a special legacy document that reflects on ICASO’s journey, our contributions, and the lessons learned along the way. It will also serve as a celebration of the partnerships and movements that will continue to carry this work forward.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for walking alongside ICASO through decades of advocacy, mobilization, and progress. Our achievements were never ours alone—they were built together with you. The spirit of ICASO will live on in the communities, organizations, and leaders who continue to push for justice, equity, and human rights in the global HIV response and beyond.

With deep gratitude and respect,

Mary Ann

Dear friends, colleagues, and partners,

After more than 35 years of work, ICASO has now completed the winding down of its operations. This has been a profound and emotional moment for me personally, and for all of us who have been part of this journey.
As we close this chapter, I would like to share two important updates:

- Continued Presence – While ICASO’s operations have ended, the organization will remain legally present until the revocation of our charitable status is finalized. This ensures that all obligations are fulfilled with responsibility and transparency.
- Honoring Our Legacy – In the weeks ahead, we will launch a special legacy document that reflects on ICASO’s journey, our contributions, and the lessons learned along the way. It will also serve as a celebration of the partnerships and movements that will continue to carry this work forward.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for walking alongside ICASO through decades of advocacy, mobilization, and progress. Our achievements were never ours alone—they were built together with you. The spirit of ICASO will live on in the communities, organizations, and leaders who continue to push for justice, equity, and human rights in the global HIV response and beyond.

With deep gratitude and respect,

Mary Ann

Si van a participar en la International AIDS Conference lean este articulo de Corresponsales Clave e ICASO sobre algunas sesiones relevantes para la region
https://corresponsalesclave.org/19214-2/

IAS - International AIDS Society

Acercándonos a la IAS 2025 La Conferencia de la Asociación Internacional de Sida sobre ciencias del VIH está a la vuelta de la esquina. En esta nota te acercamos al programa y a las sesiones que tendrán lugar del 13 al 17 de…

Hoy recibimos con tristeza la noticia del cierre de ICASO, una organización clave para la respuesta al VIH en nuestra región. Durante más de tres décadas, ICASO ha fortalecido la voz de las comunidades y ha sido un aliado esencial en la lucha por el acceso a medicamentos y derechos. Este cierre es también un recordatorio alarmante de la crisis que vive el sector humanitario y de derechos humanos, donde cada nueva pérdida debilita avances que costaron décadas conquistar.

Nuestro reconocimiento a todo el equipo y, en especial, a Mary Ann Torres, por su liderazgo ético y compromiso sostenido todos estos años.

Gracias, ICASO.

At ICW, we extend our heartfelt thanks and deep respect to ICASO as they announce their upcoming closure. This is a difficult and unfair loss for the global HIV movement, especially at a time when strong partnerships and community leadership are more crucial than ever.

We are deeply saddened by this news but remain profoundly grateful for all we have achieved together. Their impact will continue to resonate across the communities and movements they have helped strengthen.

Compartimos con gran pesar que ICASO cesará sus operaciones en septiembre de 2025. Esta decisión la hemos tomado en medio de un entorno financiero profundamente desafiante, y no ha sido fácil.

Si bien este momento es doloroso, también está lleno de profunda gratitud y orgullo.

Gracias por estar con nosotros, por creer en esta misión y por su dedicación inquebrantable a un mundo sin SIDA. La colaboración duradera entre ICASO y ustedes ha sido la piedra angular de nuestros esfuerzos conjuntos para amplificar las voces comunitarias, promover la ciencia e impulsar la acción colectiva. Juntos, hemos contribuido a garantizar que la respuesta mundial al VIH se base en la equidad, la inclusión y la experiencia vivida.

Dear colleagues, allies, supporters and friends

For 35 years, the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO) has stood alongside diverse communities, networks, and allies around the world in the fight against HIV. Together, we have worked to amplify voices that too often go unheard and to push global institutions to listen, act, and do better.

We share with heavy hearts that ICASO will cease operations in September 2025. This decision comes amid a deeply challenging financial environment and has not been made lightly. While this moment is painful, we are also filled with profound gratitude and pride.

ICASO's story is one of courage, collaboration, and community. Our impact—from influencing global policy to supporting grassroots advocacy—was never ours alone. It was made possible because of people like you: our partners, friends, and fellow changemakers who believed that justice, equity, and the rights of those most affected by HIV must be at the heart of the response.

Though ICASO as an organization will close its doors, its spirit will live on. It lives in the work of countless organizations and networks that carry forward our shared values. It lives in every voice that now has a seat at the table. It lives in the hard-won progress that none of us will stop fighting for. In the coming months, we will reflect, celebrate, and honor all we have built together. We hope you share this journey's memories, stories, and lessons.

Thank you for standing with us, for believing in this mission, and for your unwavering dedication to a world without AIDS. Our joint work has been a cornerstone of our shared efforts to elevate community voices, advance science, and drive collective action. Together, we have helped ensure that the global HIV response remains grounded in equity, inclusion, and lived experience.

We may be closing this chapter, but the work goes on. And we know it will go forward stronger because of everything we have done together.

With deep appreciation, on behalf of the ICASO staff, past and present, and the Board of Directors,

Mary Ann