Development and Impact of the Global Plan.

The Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive (Global Plan) was transformative, helping drive a 60% reduction in new HIV infections among children in 21 priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa from 2009 to 2015. It mobilized unprecedented political, technical, and community leadership at all levels to accelerate progress toward its ambitious targets. This progress is well documented, many specific elements of which are explained in greater detail across this JAIDS supplement. What is often less well or widely understood are the critical aspects of the Global Plan that shaped its structure and determined its impact; the factors and forces that coalesced to form a deep and diverse coalition of contributing partners committed to catalyzing change and action; and the critical lessons that the Global Plan leaves behind, a living legacy to inform and improve ongoing efforts to achieve its ultimate goals.