More Strategic Country Support Division Feature Stories

UNAIDS and DPKO shine a light on ending violence against women: 27 November 2012|; New initiative launched to address HIV and sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict settings

New momentum in the Arab AIDS response opens doors for change: 27 November 2012|; At a meeting convened by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the auspices of the League of Arab States and supported by UNAIDS, governmental and non-governmental representatives recognized the need for urgent action as MENA is one of only two regions where the epidemic continues to grow.

Costa Rica to develop HIV strategies to reach male sex workers: 06 November 2012|; The Minister of Health of Costa Rica, Dr Daisy Corrales, is strengthening the AIDS response among key populations at higher risk in her country, which is where the epidemic remains concentrated.

Namibia’s City of Windhoek collaborates to strengthen HIV response: 30 October 2012|; An urbanization movement has challenged Namibia’s capital City of Windhoek to find new ways to reach residents with health and HIV services.

Myanmar overcomes major challenges to push forward its response to HIV: 26 October 2012|; The Vice-President of Myanmar, Dr Sai Mauk Kham, reconfirmed his government’s commitment to carrying out effective HIV programmes during a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. The two leaders met in Nay Pyi Taw, the country’s capital, where they discussed the progress made by Myanmar in responding to HIV despite the enormous challenges faced by the country.

Indonesia’s Minister of Health promises to transform the national response to AIDS: 23 October 2012|; Indonesia’s Minister of Health, Nafsiah Mboi, pledged to scale up HIV testing and treatment programmes, leading to zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS-related deaths. Minister Mboi met with UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé on Tuesday, on the first day of his two day trip to Indonesia.

Zambia learns from Kenya’s experience in developing HIV programmes for key populations at higher risk: 17 October 2012|; From 24 - 28 September 2012, members of the National AIDS Council of Zambia, with support from the country’s United Nations Joint Team on AIDS, visited to Kenya to learn about their HIV programmes to reach key populations including sex workers, people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men and transgender people.

First Lady of the Democratic Republic of the Congo calls for the elimination of new HIV infections among children: 16 October 2012|; On the sidelines of the 14th Summit of the Francophonie, the First Lady of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Marie Olive Lembé Kabila, launched the initiative “Rolling back malaria and eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV.”

UNAIDS Executive Director meets Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of the Congo: 12 October 2012|; In a meeting on 12 October with the Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Matata Ponyo Mapon, UNAIDS Executive Director praised DRC’s leadership for organizing the 14th Summit of La Francophonie, which will be held in Kinshasa from 13-14 October.

UNAIDS Executive Director calls for shared responsibility to address AIDS-related gaps in Congo: 12 October 2012|; In a meeting on 11 October at the Presidential Palace in Brazzaville, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso for gains in the national AIDS response and called for shared responsibility to close remaining gaps.

Senegal: a success story of AIDS investments and impact: 11 October 2012|; With new leadership and bold commitments, the Senegal has continued the success of its national AIDS response, keeping HIV prevalence low and earning the recognition of global partners for its progress and achievements.

Increased country ownership to ensure long term sustainability of HIV services in Ukraine: 10 October 2012|; Representatives from the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) visited Ukraine from 4-5 October to learn about its National AIDS Programme and to experience first-hand the progress made and the challenges remaining in the country’s AIDS response. This was the first visit of the UNAIDS governing body to the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region.

New handbook to improve design of HIV programmes focusing on men who have sex with men in the Middle East and North Africa region: 03 October 2012|; A new handbook to help design and implement HIV programmes focusing on men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) was released on 27 September by UNAIDS in Cairo, Egypt.

Leaders review progress made on the implementation of the UN Resolution on HIV and Security: 26 September 2012|; The President of Gabon H.E. Ali Bongo held a discussion with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and Head of the United Nations Department of Peace Keeping Operations Hervè Lasdous on AIDS and security during the 67th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

World Humanitarian Day: celebrating those who face danger and adversity to help others: 17 August 2012|; World Humanitarian Day, observed on August 19, is an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of people helping people. The day is dedicated to recognizing those who face danger and adversity to help others, regardless of who they are and where they are.

Kenyan President commits more resources to the AIDS response: 15 August 2012|; Kenya’s government, under the leadership of President Mwai Kibaki, has allocated additional funding to its national AIDS response. The announcement came last Friday during a high level advocacy meeting in Nairobi with four members of the non-profit organization Champions for an HIV-Free Generation.

Jamaica’s new HIV strategy: “Making Human Rights Real”: 06 August 2012|; Jamaica’s new National HIV Strategic Plan 2012-2017 focuses on an enabling environment and human rights. The plan was developed in 2011 through a highly consultative process involving the government, private sector, faith-based organizations, youth, people living with HIV and international development partners.

African leaders highlight progress and challenges in HIV responses: 26 July 2012|; How have countries across sub-Saharan Africa fared in responding to the HIV epidemic? What further actions are needed to reach the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in the region? These were among the key questions addressed by a high-level panel of African leaders at the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington DC.

Mogadishu – HIV in a time of unrest: 26 July 2012|; Despite relative improvement of security in Mogadisu conditions exist in the city and throughout Somalia for a growing epidemic as trade increases, internally displaced persons move into cities in search of better livelihood and sex work sprouts at borders and ports.

AIDS 2012: Making sure countries really own their national response to AIDS: 23 July 2012|; During the International AIDS Conference a high-level series of panel discussions explored how countries can play a more central leadership and ownership role and how partners can provide support to increase effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of national AIDS responses.

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21 May 2013: UNAIDS reports more than 7 million people now on HIV treatment across Africa––with nearly 1 million added in the last year—while new HIV infections and deaths from AIDS continue to fall . More

21 May 2013: UNAIDS saddened by death of human rights activist Shivananda Khan. More

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