- About UNAIDS
- Our work
- Targets and commitments
- 2011 Political Declaration: Targets and elimination commitments
- Reducing sexual transmission
- Preventing HIV among drug users
- Eliminating new HIV infections among children
- 15 million accessing treatment
- Avoiding TB deaths
- Closing the resource gap
- Eliminating gender inequalities
- Eliminating stigma and discrimination
- Eliminating travel restrictions
- Strengthening HIV integration
- 2011 Political Declaration: Targets and elimination commitments
Feature stories
August
- UNAIDS lauds India’s progress on access to treatment, urges further scale-up and ‘focusing’ of response
- India’s rapid progress in expanding access to antiretroviral treatment over the last five years was heralded as “an example of national commitment and strategic action on AIDS,” by UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programme, Dr Luiz Loures, during a mission to the country from 26-27 August.
- Dr Edward Greene, Secretary General’s Special Envoy for AIDS in the Caribbean visits Geneva
- The United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for AIDS in the Caribbean, Dr Edward Greene, visited the UNAIDS Headquarters in Geneva on 23 August to meet with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.
- Southern African Development Community leaders meet for special session of AIDS Watch Africa
- Heads of State and Government from countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) met in Lilongwe, Malawi to discuss the progress made and the challenges that the region is facing regarding HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with UNAIDS Executive Director ahead of China-Africa Ministerial Forum on Health
- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé in Beijing last Friday, ahead of the Ministerial Forum of China-Africa Health Development. During the meeting, Liu thanked UNAIDS for its support to China’s HIV response, and emphasized that addressing HIV is a key priority for the Chinese government.
- Chinese President Xi Jinping opens the Ministerial Forum of China-Africa Health Development in Beijing
- Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed the participants of the Ministerial Forum of China-Africa Health Development, launching a new era in cooperation between China and Africa. “Human development is at the core of development. We hope this forum will substantially push forward health cooperation between China and Africa," said President Xi Jinping at the opening ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
- Chinese business leaders committed to the HIV response
- On 14 August, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé presented awards to the CEOs of a selection of China’s largest companies in recognition of their contributions to China’s AIDS response.
- Experts in Southern and Eastern Africa call for renewed commitment on sexuality education and health services
- At a recent meeting in Botswana, a high-level group of education and sexual reproductive health experts from Eastern and Southern Africa highlighted the need for good quality, gender-sensitive sexuality education that prepares adolescents for puberty and relationships and prevents unintended pregnancy and HIV.
- UNAIDS and Municipality of Salvador in the State of Bahia sign an agreement to promote HIV prevention campaign
- The Municipality of Salvador in the State of Bahia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNAIDS in which both organizations agreed to work jointly to raise awareness of HIV and mobilize the worlds of sport and culture to promote UNAIDS “Protect the Goal” campaign.
- Building momentum to stop new HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive
- In 2012, more than 200 000 children were newly infected with HIV among the 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa where almost 90% of the world’s HIV transmissions to children occur. While this was a 38% decline from 2009, it still means that nearly 600 children were newly infected each day.
- UNAIDS and the South American Football Confederation sign memorandum of understanding to advance HIV prevention
- The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) and UNAIDS today signed a Memorandum of Understanding in order to combine efforts to promote UNAIDS "Protect the Goal" campaign and raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, particularly among the youth.
July
- President of Mozambique engages on HIV
- After appointing the First Lady of Mozambique as a Patron of the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with the President of Mozambique Armando Guebuza.
- First Lady of Mozambique appointed as Patron of the Global Plan
- The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé has appointed the First Lady of Mozambique as a Patron of the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive.
- HIV prevention campaign: going for gold
- The 2013 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Gold Cup soccer tournament is promoting the HIV prevention campaign “Protect the Goal” of UNAIDS.
- Addressing the challenges facing young people in South Africa
- The challenges facing young people in South Africa were the focus of a dynamic meeting between South African President Jacob Zuma, UN Messenger of Peace Charlize Theron and the Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé.
- Summer World University Games in Russia raise HIV awareness among young athletes and volunteers
- Kazan, Russian Federation was the host of the 27th Summer Universiade – World University Games. The event attracted 11 000 young athletes from more than 160 nations competing in 27 sports from artistic gymnastics to wrestling.
- Gender equality and empowerment of women and girls essential in getting to zero
- The particular impact that HIV has on women and girls was discussed during a panel discussion organised in conjunction with the 55th Session of Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Broad ranging discussion took place during the event on how gender inequality, poverty, harmful cultural practices, and unequal power relations exacerbates their vulnerability to HIV infection.
- Côte d’Ivoire President commits to stopping new HIV infections among children
- The President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara said his country is committed to stopping new HIV infections among children in a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, on the side-lines of the 39th conference of Francophone parliamentarians, which took place in Abidjan from 9 to 12 of July.
- UNAIDS urges Francophone parliamentarians to focus on equal access to life-saving services
- During the 39th meeting of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly (APF), parliamentarians from across the Francophone world met from 9 to 12 July in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire to discuss the meeting’s theme of “Parliaments at the heart of nation building”.
- Greater integration of HIV into broader health and development agenda in Myanmar: challenges and opportunities
- In an official visit to Myanmar, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management and Governance, Jan Beagle called for greater integration of HIV into the broader health and development agenda.
- African civil society organizations call on governments to intensify efforts to end the AIDS epidemic
- Representatives of more than 100 civil society organizations (CSO) from 42 countries urged African leaders to intensify efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
- President Obama says South Africa is leading the way to an AIDS-free generation
- The President of the United States of America, Barack Obama stressed the feasibility to achieve an AIDS-free generation during his visit to the Archbishop Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) Youth Centre based in Cape Town, South Africa.
- Gabon President commits to review progress made on the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution on HIV and Security
- President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon committed to hosting a meeting in 2013 to review progress made on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1983 focused on HIV and security.
- Science, spirituality and health in the AIDS response
- The Indian spiritual leader and peace ambassador, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar made an official visit to UNAIDS Headquarters in Geneva on 2nd July 2013 to engage with staff and guests on issues around science, spirituality and health in responding to HIV.
- UNAIDS pledges support to networks of women living with HIV to advance cervical cancer programmes
- As part of its on-going commitment to the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon (PRRR) initiative, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé pledged to support PRRR’s catalytic work, including through a commitment of US$100,000 over three years to help promote the engagement of women living with HIV in the design and implementation of programmes in PRRR countries.
- New Government in Kenya commits greater domestic investments for results in the response to HIV and Health
- The Deputy President of Kenya, William Ruto met with UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé and the Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFTAM), Dr Mark Dybul as part of their joint visit to the country.
- Investing in Women: Strengthening Africa
- Mrs Laura Bush and Mrs Michelle Obama today joined First Ladies of Africa in Tanzania to advocate for improved health and welfare for women across Africa. The current and former United States First Ladies, along with former President George Bush and President and Mrs. Kikwete of Tanzania officially opened the African First Ladies Summit Investing in Women: Strengthening Africa, which was convened by the George W. Bush Institute, in partnership with ExxonMobil.
- Massive progress made in achieving Millennium Development Goals but stronger push needed says UN report
- The world has made massive strides towards reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and a number have already been attained. Countries now need to work harder to ensure that all the goals are met by the 2015 deadline, says a new United Nations report out on 1 July 2013.
June
- Advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa
- On 27 July, under the leadership of the Nigerian president Jonathan Goodluck, several head of states and experts advocated in Abuja, Nigeria, to end gender based violence and inequality during the 2nd high level meeting of the Global Power Women Network Africa.
- Commissioners begin mapping the route from AIDS to sustainable health
- Some of the world’s most prominent leaders, thinkers, and activists in the AIDS response are convening this weekend in Lilongwe, Malawi for two days of dialogue focused on defining the role of the AIDS response in the post-2015 agenda.
- New funding approach sees the Global Fund approve multimillion dollar first grants
- The response to HIV, tuberculosis and malaria in three pilot countries has been dramatically enhanced with multimillion dollar grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. El Salvador, Myanmar and Zimbabwe will receive US$ 622 million from the recently created Global Fund’s new funding model.
- How to create sustainable HIV responses in the Caribbean
- For almost ten years Ainsley Reid has had access to life-saving antiretroviral treatment in his native Jamaica. The payoff comes not just in his individual health, but in his work raising awareness about HIV prevention and positive living as a local programme coordinator at Jamaica’s HIV/STI Programme. “Like me, many of my colleagues who have been on HIV treatment are ready and able to work, to take care of their families, to contribute to society,” he said.
- The 32nd UNAIDS Board meeting opens
- UNAIDS governing body, the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) is holding its 32nd Board meeting from 25-27 June in Geneva.
- UNAIDS welcomes the Republic of the Congo and Senegal as its first African donors
- The Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Senegal have become the first African countries to financially contribute to UNAIDS. These historic decisions are in line with the leadership demonstrated by Member States of the African Union in taking forward the Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity.
- Champions Trophy final shines light on THINK WISE HIV awareness campaign
- The final match of the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy tournament held on Sunday 23 June in Birmingham, UK was dedicated to the THINK WISE HIV awareness campaign—a partnership between the International Cricket Council (ICC), UNAIDS and UNICEF that uses the power of cricket and cricket players to reach out to large numbers of people—particularly young people—on AIDS issues.
- US Supreme Court strikes down policy requiring AIDS groups to oppose prostitution in order to receive US Government funds
- On 20 June 2013, the United States Supreme Court struck down section 7631(f) of the The Leadership Act. This provision mandates that no funds made available under the Leadership Act may “provide assistance to any group or organization that does not have a policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex trafficking.”
- Sri Lanka, committing to championing the AIDS response
- The President of Sri Lanka has reaffirmed the country’s commitment to be “a champion in the AIDS response” towards achieving a shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.
- Community-led programmes critical to progress on AIDS in Sri Lanka
- Communities at higher risk of HIV infections should be placed at the centre of the AIDS programme design and implementation in Sri Lanka. This was the central message highlighted through discussions between representatives of civil society and the UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programme, Luiz Loures, during an official visit to the country from 16-18 June.
- Russia strengthens commitment to reversing the AIDS epidemic in the region
- The Russian Federation and UNAIDS have launched a new Regional Cooperation Programme for Technical Assistance for HIV and other Infectious Diseases in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). The US$ 16 million Programme, funded by the Russian Government, was launched during the G20 Civil Summit which was held in Moscow from 11-13 June.
- Investing in harm reduction––sound economic sense
- Spending money on harm reduction programmes for people who use drugs not only is a good investment but it also saves lives. This was the conclusion drawn at a meeting entitled Economics and financing of effective harm reduction strategies in the context of HIV which took place on the side-lines of the International Harm Reduction Conference held in Vilnius, Lithuania from 9-12 June.
- Engagement of civil society critical to shaping the G20 agenda
- As part of its role as President of the G20—the group of the 20 major economies—Russia has this week hosted the G20 Civil Summit. The two-day event featured a bold dialogue among global civil society and decision-makers and culminated in the development of a ‘Civil Communique’––recommendations which will be presented to the G20 to be put onto the agenda of the G20 Leaders' Summit which is being held in St. Petersburg in September 2013.
- UN Plus meets with UN Secretary-General to discuss issues affecting staff members living with HIV
- UN Plus—the United Nations advocacy group of employees living with HIV—met with the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to discuss issues affecting staff members living with HIV including access to HIV treatment and travel restrictions.
- China’s Guangdong province to lift HIV restrictions on teacher recruitment
- In Guangdong, China’s most populous province, some bold HIV-related policy decisions are about to come into play. In the wake of concerted advocacy efforts—including by UNAIDS, UNESCO and ILO—the province has announced it will abolish restrictions which prevent people living with HIV from working as teachers.
- International consultation focuses on access to HIV medicines for middle-income countries
- The critical issues that middle-income countries face in ensuring they have access to affordable and high-quality HIV medicines were explored during a consultation held in Brazil’s capital Brasilia this week.
- UNAIDS plans to further expand its focus on youth and HIV
- The United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé to discuss UNAIDS’ plans to further expand its focus on youth and HIV. The meeting was held on the side-lines of the 67th United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York from 10-11 June 2013.
- UN General Assembly reviews progress in achieving the targets of the 2011 Political Declaration on AIDS
- The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has presented his report on HIV to the 67th United Nations General Assembly which is taking place in New York from 10-11 June 2013.
- Organization of American States adopts bold resolution on HIV and human rights
- The Organization of American States (OAS) —the world’s oldest regional mechanism comprising 35 independent states of the Americas— has adopted a bold new Resolution on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights of People Vulnerable to or Living With or Affected by HIV.
- International cricketers team up to ‘THINK WISE’ about HIV prevention
- Cricketing greats from around the world have once more teamed up to promote HIV prevention and anti-stigma messages as part of the global THINK WISE campaign on AIDS. The initiative will run through the 2013 International Cricket Council’s Champions Trophy Tournament taking place from 6-23 June in England and Wales.
- ‘Ciao Capitano’ – Michael Ballack’s fond farewell to football
- An era in football has drawn to a close as world class footballer and UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Michael Ballack played his official farewell game at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig, Germany on 5 June. The charity event, which drew a crowd of more than 45000 fans, was Michael Ballack’s way of thanking his devoted fans for their support throughout his career.
- Scientific breakthroughs in HIV help shape the future of AIDS research in Africa
- When doctors from the University of Mississippi medical centre announced on 2 March 2013 that a baby had been ‘functionally cured’ of HIV, the world hailed the news as a historical medical breakthrough.
- Eminent Judges unite to address HIV, human rights and the law
- In Asia and the Pacific, almost all countries have punitive laws, policies and practices that hamper access to HIV services for people living with HIV and key populations at highest risk including people who use drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender people.
- TICAD V: First Ladies highlight importance of continued commitment to getting to zero
- First Ladies from across Africa joined the First Lady of Japan Akie Abe at a symposium entitled ‘Let’s talk about AIDS: Africa and Japan’s Shared Challenges’ during the opening day of the Fifth Tokyo Conference on Africa Development (TICAD V) held in Yokohama, Japan, from 1-3 June.
- Progress on HIV brings hope to the province of KwaZulu Natal
- During a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, the Premier of KwaZulu Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize highlighted that progress made in the province has begun to turn around the AIDS epidemic in the South African Province which has been most affected by HIV.
- UNAIDS Executive Director says successes in the AIDS response should not result in complacency
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, Member of the Executive Committee for Health in KwaZulu Natal, met on 3 June on the side-lines of the UNAIDS/CAPRISA Symposium: Scientific advances from the ‘Mississippi baby’: Implications for public health programmes on mother to child transmission of HIV taking place in Durban, South Africa.
- UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess of Norway calls for an end to stigma
- Addressing stigma and discrimination was underlined as critical to progress on HIV by UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Crown Princess Mette Marit, during a site visit to a shelter for children living with and affected by HIV in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
May
- The United Nations lays out “historic” post 2015 development agenda
- The United Nations is on the cusp of entering a bold new phase in ending poverty and ensuring meaningful and sustainable development for all. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched on 30 May 2013 a momentous and eagerly awaited report that puts forward a single United Nations development agenda beyond 2015.
- Women and HIV: Make positive women and young women’s voices count
- Through a number of sessions featuring diverse and distinguished panellists from around the world, discussions at the Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, highlighted how achieving health and development goals will only be possible through increased focus on upholding the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women living with HIV and young women.
- UNICEF report urges to see the child before the disability
- The marginalization of children with disabilities in critical areas like health and education not only has damaging consequences for the young people themselves but also the wider community, according to a landmark UNICEF report released today on 30 May.
- Right to health, right to life: HIV and human rights in Europe
- HIV as a human rights issue was the main theme of a high-level meeting co-organized by the European Commission and UNAIDS. The meeting explored the critical human rights issues in Europe that are resulting in stagnation of the AIDS response in Western Europe and an increase in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in Eastern Europe.
- Wahidayah shelter shines light on the strength of women living with HIV in Malaysia
- In a quiet street, 40 minutes outside the bustling city centre of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is a house with multi-coloured walls, filled with smiles and laughter. The laughter is coming from the Wahidayah shelter, a refuge for women living with HIV.
- Daw Aung San Suu Kyi calls to end stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV
- UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination and Member of Parliament, Aung San Suu Kyi joined more than 200 people living with and affected by HIV for an AIDS Candlelight Memorial Vigil on 26 May in Yangon, Myanmar.
- Life Ball champions zero new HIV infections in children
- The Life Ball 2013, Europe’s biggest AIDS charity event, brought to the Austrian city of Vienna on 25 May celebrities and influential leaders in the global AIDS response to celebrate the 21st edition of one of the largest AIDS fundraising events worldwide. Organised by Gery Keszler in his capacity as chairman of the NGO AIDS LIFE, this year’s Life Ball was held under the theme “1001 nights”. All proceeds from this year’s event will go towards reaching the international goal of eliminating new HIV infections in children and keeping their mothers alive.
- South Africa: Young people to lead a new wave of community mobilization and political advocacy
- Young people in South Africa are facing the challenge of creating a movement to overcome the impact that the AIDS epidemic is having on their lives.
- Celebrating fifty years of African unity
- Leaders from across Africa and beyond are gathering for a special African Union (AU) summit which marks the 50th anniversary of unity on the continent.
- Youth organizations form a pact for social transformation in the AIDS response
- UNAIDS brought together 12 global and regional youth organizations working on HIV, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and Lesbian, Gay and Transgender rights with the 16 community, country and regional youth activists that constitute the recently established UNAIDS Youth Advisory Forum. The aim was to strategize on a clear direction to move the AIDS response forward for young people.
- Kingdom of Bahrain and UNAIDS commit to intensify cooperation
- During a meeting on May 23 in Geneva, the Minister of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr Sadiq AbdulKarim Al Shehabi and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé pledged to strengthen cooperation between UNAIDS and the Ministry of Health.
- Viet Nam: South-South learning helps prepare for sustainable provision of AIDS treatment
- In April 2013, UNAIDS supported a study visit by a multi-sectoral Government delegation to Thailand. The delegation learned how Thailand, as a middle-income country, is providing universal access to antiretrovirals and all HIV-related tests free-of-charge, financed by the state budget and provided to all in need through national health insurance schemes.
- Zimbabwe’s sustained progress towards “Getting to Zero”
- Zimbabwe is an example of political commitment and progress in the AIDS response. Although it is one of the countries most affected by the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with an adult HIV prevalence of 15%, the country has achieved and sustains universal coverage of treatment to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (93%) and adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) with 95% of adult Zimbabweans eligible for HIV treatment receiving it.
- Switzerland strengthens support to UNAIDS
- The Federal Councillor for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Didier Burkhalter announced the government’s intention to increase its annual contributions to UNAIDS for 2013, 2014 and 2015 during the official visit of UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé to the Swiss capital of Bern. Such contribution reaffirms Switzerland’s position among UNAIDS' top 10 donors.
- UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director commends Zimbabwe for its strong political will, commitment and sustained progress towards Getting to Zero
- In a meeting on 8 May 2013 with the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Hon Joice Mujuru, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management and Governance, Jan Beagle commended the Zimbabwean government for its leadership in the AIDS response.
- Burundi to increase access to education and health services to improve its response to AIDS
- Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza said his country is trying to increase access to education and health services as key elements to effectively respond to AIDS in the country. He met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 9 May in Bujumbura, Burundi.
- Burundi marks its National AIDS Day and commits to an AIDS-free generation
- Burundi marked its National AIDS Day on 8 May and committed to stopping new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive. UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé attended an event at the Kamenge health centre in Bujumbura, Burundi along with the country’s Minister of Health, Dr Sabine Ntakarutimana and the Ambassador from the USA to Burundi, Dawn Liberi.
- Rwanda’s President says young people are increasingly calling for a more inclusive and equitable society
- Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame emphasised the importance of the active participation of young people in health and development during his meeting on 6 May with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. President Kagame said through virtual networks and social media young people are increasingly demanding change for a more inclusive and equitable society.
- Leaders from China and Africa come together to strengthen partnership, cooperation and innovation
- Leaders from China and Africa met in Gabarone, Botswana this week for the 4th International Roundtable on China-Africa Health Cooperation in order to strengthen collaboration in health development based on the principle of South-South partnership.
- UNAIDS Executive Director says Rwanda is moving from AIDS to sustainable health
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the government of Rwanda for its leadership in the national AIDS response. The country has made significant progress in its HIV response and is on track to meet national and global HIV related goals.
- Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxemburg steps down
- The Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of Luxemburg, Marie-Josée Jacobs stepped down this week after close to four years in the position and after eighteen years as Minister for Family Affairs and social inclusion.
- Pacific nations seek solutions to laws and policies that block access to HIV services
- For activist and community leader Kapul Robert* from Papua New Guinea (PNG) accessing HIV services is a constant challenge. “Papua New Guinea has a law that says sodomy is illegal and this law is contributing to the high-levels of stigma existing in society for both men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people.”
April
- New survey on HIV education: Progression, regression or stagnation?
- There is room for optimism in the overall progress of the global education sector’s response to HIV, says a new in-depth study of 39 countries around the world. However, a worrying degree of stagnation in some areas still exists and much more needs to be done if the sector is to fulfil its critical role in helping to intensify HIV prevention.
- Women’s issues must remain central to sustainable development
- In 1994 at the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD) in Cairo, 179 countries adopted a landmark 20-year Programme of Action, placing gender equality and women’s empowerment and reproductive rights at the center of population and sustainable development.
- Climbing against gender-based violence: A quest for dignity, equality and justice
- Mountain climbing for most is a sign of strength, courage, achievement and perhaps a sense of freedom. For the 25 men and women who summited Mountain Brandberg in Namibia from 18-21 April, their drive was solidarity against gender-based violence (GBV).
- Australia ups leadership role in the global AIDS response
- Stepping up its leadership role in the response to AIDS, Australia is the new Vice-Chair of the Programme Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS. The country has also kicked off the countdown to the next International AIDS conference to be held in Melbourne in July 2014.
- Call for urgent scale up of access to treatment
- Vancouver, 1996: Researchers electrify the International AIDS Conference with news of a stunning scientific breakthrough. Using a combination of medicines, they have been able to reduce the amount of virus in the blood of people living with HIV to virtually undetectable levels. In what became known as the “Lazarus Effect,” people once near death were suddenly well again and able to live normal, healthy lives.
- Africa Health Forum 2013: Finance and Capacity for Results
- Big questions were raised about getting the best results in health and development at the World Bank’s Africa Development Forum 2013. The event brought together Ministers of Finance and Health from some 30 African countries to explore effective and creative ways to ensure the future health of the continent.
- When art and politics intersect
- If artist Keith Haring were still alive he might have joined the anti-homophobia demonstrations taking place in Paris during the opening weekend of a new retrospective of his art.
- CONCACAF and UNAIDS team up to engage football in the response to AIDS
- The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and UNAIDS signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 19 April in Panama City, Panama and agreed to engage football in the AIDS response, particularly among young people.
- US Congress and leading actors in the global AIDS response discuss shared responsibility in creating an AIDS- free generation
- Shared responsibility of the AIDS response must become part of a new global compact. This was the central message of a high-powered breakfast meeting that took place in Washington, DC on 18 April.
- High-level panel reviews how the United Nations is measuring results
- As part of the evaluation week organized by the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) taking place from 15 - 19 April 2013 at the UN Headquarters in New York, a high-level panel event, entitled “UN Results – Are we achieving them? How do we know?” discussed whether or not the United Nations is achieving its objectives.
- The First Lady of Ghana to lead country's drive to stop new HIV infections in children
- The First Lady of Ghana, Lordina Mahama, has agreed to become UNAIDS premiere ambassador for the implementation of the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive.
- The Nordics: Keeping focused, getting results
- The long-standing commitment of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden to international development has rooted them firmly as leaders in international development assistance. They are strong advocates on human rights issues––addressing inequalities between and within countries––and have forward thinking policies for social development and health.
- Global health leaders honour UN Secretary-General Special Envoy to Stop Tuberculosis
- A special event to celebrate former President of Portugal Dr Jorge Sampaio’s commitment and dedication to raising the profile of public health and tuberculosis took place at the World Health Organization’s premises in Geneva on 15 April 2013.
- Honduras reforms its penal code to end human right violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- Honduras is moving a step closer to the UNAIDS vision of ‘zero discrimination’. Its Congress has recently adopted a reform of the Penal Code that will ensure legal protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Asia-Pacific parliamentarians urge sustained action on AIDS and to carry on the MDG agenda beyond 2015
- Parliamentarians from across Asia and the Pacific are urging sustained action on AIDS to ensure an AIDS-free generation in the region. The call came at a Forum held in Bali, Indonesia (25-26 March) where parliamentarians and civil society leaders from 35 countries in Asia-Pacific gathered to assess the progress made and the challenges remaining to achieve the Millennium Development Goals in the region.
- A clinic in Niger uses an innovative and low-cost solution to keep babies alive
- Inside the Issaka-Gazobi maternity clinic a group of women are waiting expectantly for a meeting very few imagined they would ever have. The First Lady of Niger, Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou and UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé met the women during their visit recently to the maternity clinic, which is a model for the rest of the country.
March
- Russia’s Presidency of the G20 discussed during high-level visit to UNAIDS
- In her first visit to Geneva as Russian G20 Sherpa, Ksenia Yudaeva visited UNAIDS Headquarters for a broad ranging discussion on global issues that are priorities for the Russian Presidency of the G20, including civil society participation, youth empowerment and development for all.
- Niger’s First Lady commits to stopping new HIV infections in children
- The First Lady of Niger, Aïssata Issoufou Mahamadou, promised to use her influence to greatly expand prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services in her country. She made her commitment during the official launch of her foundation, “Guri, for a better life,” on 28 March in Niamey, Niger.
- UNAIDS Executive Director calls on Côte d'Ivoire to redouble HIV response efforts
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé urged the Côte d'Ivoire government to intensify its efforts in the HIV response. Mr Sidibé wrapped up a two-day official visit to the country on 27 March.
- African leaders call for greater industrialization of an emerging Africa
- African Ministers of Finance and other leaders have agreed that the continent needs to shift from a reliance on exports of primary commodities to greater industrialization in order to accelerate the continent’s development.
- High-level delegation commits to tackle the deadly epidemics of TB and HIV in Southern Africa
- This week Swaziland played host to a powerful delegation of health leaders and experts committed to ending the duel epidemics of TB and HIV across the region. Convened by the Ministers of Health of both Swaziland and South Africa, supported by the Stop TB Partnership the meeting brought together brilliant minds and solid expertise to find ways of accelerating action to end the TB and TB/HIV co-epidemics in the countries of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
- Swaziland launches a new national framework to eliminate new HIV infections among children by 2015
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé joined Swaziland’s Minster of Health, Benedict Xaba to launch a new National Framework to stop new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keep their mothers alive.
- UNAIDS and other health organizations support new TB and HIV initiative in Africa
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé joined health leaders from Africa and other international organizations to support a new push to accelerate progress against tuberculosis and HIV. The initiative was unveiled at a press briefing in Johannesburg, South Africa on 20 March and will be formerly launched on 21 March in Mbabane, Swaziland.
- First global forum of francophone women promotes women’s rights
- More than 400 women dedicated to guarantee the respect of the fundamental rights of women, their access to school and education, gender equality or the representation of women in politics gathered in Paris on 20 March for the first global forum of francophone women.
- Massive development gains in the South is improving the economic, social and health prospects for millions, says Human Development Report
- The world is changing rapidly with developing nations spearheading global economic growth, impressive poverty reduction and the rise of a healthier, better educated middle class, says the UN Development Programme’s (UNDP) Human Development Report 2013.
- Former UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot wins prestigious Africa Health Prize
- The Japanese Government announced on 13 March that it was awarding the Second Hideyo Noguchi Africa prize to Dr Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London, U.K. and former UNAIDS Executive Director and Dr Alex Godwin Coutinho, Executive Director of the Infectious Disease Institute, Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda.
- HIV high on the agenda at the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs
- In wide-ranging opening remarks to the current session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, the Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Yury Fedotov placed HIV and drug use at the heart of the global agenda.
- Special event at the Commission on the Status of Women seeks to accelerate zero-tolerance towards gender-based violence through the AIDS response
- How much progress has the global AIDS response made in ensuring that women and girls live their lives free from violence? What are the next steps needed to strengthen the challenge to gender-based violence and its links to HIV? These critical questions dominated a high level consultation which took place in New York on 9 March during the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
- Sierra Leone’s President says gender is a development issue on International Women’s Day
- Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma stressed his commitment to increasing women’s participation in his government during an event on 8 March, celebrating International Women’s Day in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He said that the many appointments of women to high positions his government has sent “a clear message that discrimination against women no longer has a place in Sierra Leone.”
- UNAIDS Director for Eastern and Southern Africa appointed Ambassador for Girl Child Education Fund
- The International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF) have appointed UNAIDS Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Dr Sheila Tlou as Ambassador for the ICN/FNIF Girl Child Education Fund.
- The First Lady of Sierra Leone highlights her country’s efforts on stopping new HIV infections in children
- On 7 March, the eve of International Women's Day, Sierra Leone’s First Lady Alice Sia Nyama Koroma hosted a dinner in Freetown, where efforts to improve health services for women and children were showcased. The First Lady recently launched a campaign towards eliminating new HIV infections among children in partnership with UNAIDS, Voice of Women and the National AIDS Control Programme.
- Statements on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2013
- Under this year’s theme of “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”, the United Nations Secretary General, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and UNAIDS Cosponsors and partners speak out in special International Women’s Day statements.
- High-Level Dialogue on Health in the Post-2015 Development Agenda concludes in Botswana
- A High-Level Dialogue on health brought together representatives from governments, non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions and the private sector to debate how to advance health priorities in the post-2015 development agenda. Co-convened by the Governments of Botswana, Sweden, UNICEF and WHO, the health thematic consultation took place in Gaborone, Botswana from 5-6 March 2013.
- Continued investment into research and development for HIV treatment critical
- In a new UNAIDS funded report the Treatment Action Group (TAG) and AVAC have compiled information on investments into research and development for HIV treatment. The report was put together in a bid to analyse investment trends and highlight any gaps which may become apparent.
- United Nations agencies meet with President and government officials of Botswana ahead of High-Level Dialogue on Health
- Ahead of the High-Level Dialogue on Health in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, held in Gaborone Botswana from 5-6 March 2013, four heads of United Nations agencies met with the President of Botswana, Ian Khama to discuss the meeting’s implications to global health.
- The Global Fund launches new funding model to support countries in responding to HIV, TB and malaria
- The Global Fund has recently launched a new funding model for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The launch follows a three-year period where funding for the three diseases was halted due to insufficient funds and calls for reforms of the institution and its business model. In this new wave of funding the Global Fund has announced that up to US$1.9 billion could be available in 2013 and 2014.
- Lessons from the AIDS response can shape new paradigm for development post-2015, Michel Sidibé tells UN Human Rights Council
- In a high-level address to the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council on 28 February, UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, stressed the crucial importance of viewing the AIDS epidemic through a human rights prism. The AIDS response, he said, is inextricably linked with the human rights agenda. If the world is to get to zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths then ensuring rights, social justice, equity and gender equality is vital.
February
- UNAIDS and Denmark to strengthen collaboration to advance health and human rights
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with the Danish Minister of Development Christian Friis Bach on 27 February at the UNAIDS Headquarters in Geneva to find ways to further strengthen collaboration.
- Four-year evaluation of PEPFAR concludes
- On 20 February, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) presented the results of a four-year evaluation of the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Led by Dr Robert E. Black, chair of the evaluation committee, the 700-page report is based on an extensive review of data from over 30 countries receiving PEPFAR funding, interviews with partner organizations and stakeholders, and findings from field visits to 13 countries.
- Realising the potential impact of antiretroviral therapy
- The full results of a study on the effects of antiretroviral therapy in preventing new HIV infections have been published this week in the medical journal Science. The study, led by Professor Frank Tanser from the Africa Centre, spanned a seven year period (2004-2011), and followed nearly 17 000 people, the largest ever study of its kind to be completed.
- New UNAIDS platform highlights scientific advances
- In 2012 alone there were more than 14 000 scientific papers published on HIV. With such an impressive amount of information, it can be challenging to keep abreast of all the new developments. UNAIDS has launched an online platform, UNAIDS Science now, which highlights some of those papers that are particularly relevant to the United Nations high level targets.
- Carnival queens call on Panamanian young women to take the lead and protect themselves from HIV
- Last week was Carnival in Panama. As part of the celebrations during 11-12 February, the Queens of “Calle Arriba” and “Calle Abajo” —representing opposite neighbourhoods— competed against each other in a variety of contests. However when it comes to HIV, the two rivals joined forces to prevent new HIV infections among women.
- UNAIDS addresses the 51st session of the Commission for Social Development
- How do we promote meaningful empowerment so people everywhere can achieve poverty eradication, social integration, full employment and decent work? This was the key theme of a UNAIDS statement delivered to the 51st session of the Commission for Social Development in New York on 12 February.
- Ten years since PEPFAR’s launch: The United States continues its leadership in the AIDS response
- Exactly ten years ago, President George W. Bush announced the creation of The Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in his State of the Union Address. When it was created, back in 2003, PEPFAR’s initial aim was to provide antiretroviral treatment to 2 million people living with HIV in resource-limited settings, to prevent 7 million new HIV infections, and to provide care and support to 10 million people by 2010.
- Changes in Peru’s penal code will enable more young people to access HIV services
- The Constitutional Tribunal of Peru is amending an article in its penal code which for many years had criminalized consensual sexual activity among young people. Sentencing was particularly severe with adolescents facing up to 30 years in prison. Article 173 of the penal code was also preventing young people from accessing essential health and reproductive services for fear of prosecution.
- Global Fund resumes funding of a full-scale HIV programme in Mali
- The Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé was in the Malian capital Bamako over the weekend. He was there to take part in a ceremony marking the reinstatement of funding by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for a full-scale HIV programme in Mali.
- UNAIDS to collaborate with HSRC in HIV prevention research and policy development
- UNAIDS and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen research, policies, and programmes on HIV prevention globally, with a special emphasis on Africa.
- Yemen: raising HIV awareness among internally displaced populations
- Local authorities are concerned about the lack of HIV information in the internally displaced people camps in Yemen and have partnered with UNAIDS and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to start an HIV awareness raising programme for displaced people.
- UNAIDS and Economic Commission for Africa discuss ways to support Africa’s HIV response
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Dr Carlos Lopes, on the side-lines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
January
- African Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians meets in Niger
- The annual congress of the African Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians took place in Niger from 21-23 January 2013 under the theme “Mortality Costs and Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity in Africa”.
- African First Ladies come together to mark a decade of work in the AIDS response
- The Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) came together on 28 January to mark its 10-year anniversary and held its annual Extra Ordinary General Assembly on the side-lines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Vote to end AIDS
- Make your voice heard. The United Nations has launched a broad consultation process for the next global development goals. The original Millennium Development Goals that Member States agreed to in 2000 include a goal focused on the AIDS response.
- President of South Africa says Africa must deal effectively with HIV to reduce maternal mortality on the side-lines of the African Union Summit
- South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma called on African leaders to effectively deal with HIV and as such eliminate one of the main causes of maternal deaths on the continent.
- University of Senghor master’s degree programme in International Health includes module on HIV for second year running
- More than 35 students from 22 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Haiti and France have completed a course on HIV as part of their Master’s Degree in International Health at the Senghor University based in Alexandria.
- UNAIDS launches e-consultation to ensure AIDS remains central in the Post-2015 Agenda
- The international community is in the midst of negotiating the next global development agenda. This new roadmap is to be put in place after 2015, when the Millennium Development Goals will have reached their target date.
- Breaking the conspiracy of silence
- Thabang Lebese was a little boy who grew up in Orlando East, Soweto. From an early age he could kick a ball—dazzling his family with his talent on the pitch. It didn’t take long before he was given the opportunity to join one of the major football clubs in South Africa and by the age 15 he was playing for the Kaizer Chiefs’ junior team.
- UNESCO booklet promotes improved links between gender, HIV and education
- A “Gender Equality, HIV and Education” booklet by UNESCO stresses that issues of gender equality, HIV and education are interrelated and cannot be tackled in isolation.
- UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Michael Ballack gets a first-hand look at the impact of AIDS on South Africa
- In his role as UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, the German football star Michael Ballack conducted a 3-day mission to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he learned about the impact of HIV on communities and used his star-power to raise public awareness of the epidemic.
- UNAIDS and Confederation of African Football Association sign memorandum of understanding to advance HIV prevention
- UNAIDS and the Confederation of African Football Association (CAF) have strengthened their partnership by concluding a memorandum of understanding (MoU). In Johannesburg, South Africa, on 19 January, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and President of CAF Issa Hayatou signed the MoU, which aims to leverage the popularity of football and advance HIV prevention.
- UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Michael Ballack teams up with young people to tackle HIV prevention
- UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador and football star, Michael Ballack witnessed how football is transforming lives in South Africa.
- UNAIDS Executive Director congratulates President Jacob Zuma of South Africa on progress in the AIDS response
- The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma met with UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, on 18 January at the president’s official residence in Pretoria. Mr Sidibé congratulated President Zuma on the country’s achievements in the AIDS response in recent years and reiterated the support of UNAIDS.
- The Deputy President of South Africa reviews country’s progress in HIV response
- UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé met with the Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe and the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi on 18 January.
- The Thank You Small Library initiative provides a space for HIV prevention education
- Ambassador Dho Young-shim, Chairperson, UNWTO ST-EP Foundation and MDG Advocacy Group Member met with UNAIDS Deputy Executive Directors Jan Beagle and Luiz Loures to discuss ways in which the Thank You Small Library programme can be further used as a space for HIV prevention education.
- India's Red Ribbon Express train making a difference in the AIDS response
- The Red Ribbon Express train has travelled more than 27 000 across India bringing a special message of AIDS awareness to more than 50 000 towns and villages. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé visited the Red Ribbon Express Train on display at the Safdarjung Railway Station in New Delhi during a recent country visit.
- BRICS Ministers of Health call for renewed efforts to face HIV and global health challenges
- The 2nd Health Ministers’ meeting of the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) concluded in New Delhi, India on January 11, with a strong call for strengthened cooperation in the implementation of affordable, equitable and sustainable solutions for common health challenges.
- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meets with his Special Envoys on AIDS
- The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon brought together his team of United Nations Special Envoys for AIDS to discuss their strategic directions for the year ahead. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé also participated in the meeting that took place on 07 January at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
- Advocating for access to treatment for people living with HIV in India
- The Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+) was set up in 2000 by a couple of friends who operated out of a spare bedroom in an addiction rehabilitation centre.