World AIDS Day 2014

Each year on December 1, CDC and its offices around the globe observe World AIDS Day to raise awareness of the global impact of HIV/AIDS. The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation,” reflects the drive to focus on interventions that work and to partner with a broad range of stakeholders to achieve control of the epidemic and move closer to an AIDS-free generation.

As a key implementing agency for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC provides support to more than 60 countries to build capacity for leading and sustaining their national HIV/AIDS programs. CDC’s global HIV/AIDS activities are grounded in science and critical to saving lives and preventing new infections. We know what we must do to achieve an AIDS-free generation, and together we can make it a reality.

CDC World AIDS Day Activities around the Globe

Kenya

On December 1, a national event in Machakos, Kenya, took place, led by the Ministry of Health. In Kisumu, CDC-Kenya staff participated in the annual World AIDS Day event held at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds, which included a marathon, AIDS walk, and entertainment. CDC Kenya was among the partner organizations who spoke briefly alongside the government of Kenya at the event. On December 2, the PEPFAR Coordinator’s Office hosted the U.S. Embassy Observation of World AIDS Day. Representatives from UNAIDS, the Kenya Ministry of Health, and the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) spoke as well as U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert F. Godec.

Staff from PEPFAR and CDC-Namibia prepare to march for Zero Discrimination on December 4 in Windhoek, Namibia. Source: Amanda Nace, CDC-Namibia

Namibia

CDC-Namibia is supporting the UNAIDS vision of achieving “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.” In honor of this vision and to commemorate World AIDS Day, CDC-Namibia participated in several events. On December 4, CDC-Namibia participated in the World AIDS Day March and Rally organized by MoHSS in the Khomas Region with support from across government ministries and the private sector. 

Tanzania

CDC-Tanzania and partners participated in a national World AIDS Day commemoration in Njombe, Tanzania. They had booths set up with informational materials, HIV-positive “expert patients” who discussed their experiences, a mobile testing site with capacity for counseling and testing, condom demonstrations, and promotion of a toll-free helpline.

Thailand

CDC-Thailand joined the PEPFAR interagency team in supporting a large public World AIDS Day event sponsored by the Thai Ministry of Public Health and the Thai Red Cross from November 28-December 1. U.S. government staff handed out HIV informational materials and other resources at the event and provided live coverage through social media. On December 1, the Deputy Chief of Mission participated in a ceremony commemorating World AIDS Day, and he was joined by Thai Princess Soamsawali and public health leaders in Thailand.

Uganda

CDC-Uganda commemorated World AIDS Day at a PEPFAR interagency celebration with a number of events and activities. On December 1, the PEPFAR team published an Op-Ed with the latest PEPFAR results. World AIDS Day activities included a Ministry of Health national event, a PEPFAR Volunteer Day at three PEPFAR-supported sites, and a luncheon with the Ambassador. The luncheon celebrated individuals selected as PEPFAR heroes and showcased individuals started on ART in 2014 whose positive transitions have been documented over the year by some implementing partners as “One Year, One Life.”

Vietnam

On November 30, PEPFAR-Vietnam along with government officials and members of the international community participated in a Government of Vietnam-sponsored event and march in honor of World AIDS Day. Additionally, PEPFAR-Vietnam, in collaboration with the Vietnam National Drama Theater, presented "Three in One," a cultural performance about three people – a man who injects drugs, a female sex worker, and a gay man – who meet and share their stories. On December 1, the Vietnam Embassy in Hanoi led two events at its American Center-- an interactive role-play session that explored living with HIV/AIDS and a screening of the 2010 video “People Living with Stories,” about Vietnamese individuals who are HIV-positive, followed by a panel discussion with two of the videos’ participants.

Zimbabwe

On December 1, the U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe spoke at a World AIDS Day event in Victoria Falls. The theme of the event was, “Getting to Zero in Africa: Africa’s Responsibility, Everyone’s Responsibility!” and his remarks highlighted the impact and achievements of health initiatives through the funding and collaborative efforts of the U.S. Government and PEPFAR. Additionally, Zimbabwe hosted a regional World AIDS Day Commemoration event at the request of the African Union. The Guest of Honor for this event was the African Union Chair, South African Minister of Home Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Health Ministers from Africa and their respective AIDS Councils or Commissions were invited to the event.