Greater Manchester’s mayor has signed an agreement to try to end all new cases of HIV in the region within 25 years.

Andy Burnham unveiled a plan for the city-region to become part of the Fast Track Cities network during the Manchester Pride Candlelit Vigil on Monday evening.

By signing the historic Paris Declaration, the mayor has pledged that the region will join a global network of 250 cities spearheading the fight against HIV.

More than 5,650 people are thought to be living with the virus across Greater Manchester with almost 300 new diagnoses made each year.

Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership is working to achieve the new target through a £1.3 million programme of support for people living with HIV, or those most at risk.

Actions set to be introduced from later this year include encouraging the use of PrEP and PEP medication (drugs which can help protect against HIV) amongst the most at-risk groups, establishing new peer-led services and support and increasing screening and testing at home, in the community and through sexual health services.

The partnership will also aim to maximise prompt and effective treatment for those diagnosed with HIV, encourage safer sex practices and challenge stigmas that prevent people accessing testing and support.

Thousands of people visited Sackville Gardens on Monday evening to remember those lost to HIV and to stand united against the challenges facing LGBT communities.

Speaking after the event, Mr Burnham said: “Ending all new cases of HIV in Greater Manchester within a generation is an ambitious goal – but we can do it.

“We are doing ground-breaking work in Greater Manchester to tackle HIV, and by joining Fast Track Cities we will be part of a global network of cities committed to ending HIV where we can share expertise and speak with a united worldwide voice.

“It also shows that we are taking a stand against stigma, instead standing shoulder to shoulder with people living with HIV.”

As a Fast Track City, Greater Manchester would join more than 250 others from across the globe to take combined action, share best practice and tackle discrimination.

Of the hundreds of people who are diagnosed with HIV across the region each year, 44 per cent come at a late stage. This greatly increases impacts to individuals’ lives, risks of onward transmission and costs of treatment.

In addition, around 745 people are thought to be living with HIV but unaware of their positive status.

Lord Peter Smith, chair of the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership, said becoming a Fast Track City will help to eliminate new cases of HIV in the region within a generation.

“Although great progress has been made in the fight against HIV, there is still much to do – both around the world and across our city-region,” he added.