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- 2011 Political Declaration: Targets and elimination commitments
- Reducing sexual transmission
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- Eliminating new HIV infections among children
- 15 million accessing treatment
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- Eliminating gender inequalities
- Eliminating stigma and discrimination
- Eliminating travel restrictions
- Strengthening HIV integration
- 2011 Political Declaration: Targets and elimination commitments
Feature stories
December
- UNAIDS – A Year in Review 2011
- The AIDS response saw remarkable progress in 2011. Until recently, the end of the HIV epidemic seemed a distant dream, but science, political leadership and community responses have helped to deliver clear and tangible results—2011 will be remembered as a game-changing year.
- World Summit of Mayors from Africa and the Diaspora focuses on HIV in urban areas
- More than 250 mayors from sub-Saharan Africa and of African descent from the United States, the Caribbean and Latin America focused on strengthening the AIDS response in urban areas during an historic conference held in Dakar, Senegal from 15-19 December.
- South Africa launches its new National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB, 2012–2016
- On World AIDS Day, 1 December 2011, the President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, officially launched the new South African National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV, STIs and TB, 2012–2016.
- UNAIDS joins hands with Standard Bank to “Get to Zero”
- UNAIDS and the Standard Bank Group entered into a two year partnership in December 2011 to raise public awareness of the HIV epidemic within the African continent. Using the Standard Bank‘s marketing and communication resources, UNAIDS will bring its knowledge and expertise in the AIDS response to help raise awareness about HIV among the Bank’s employees and beyond into the local communities.
- UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board meeting opens
- UNAIDS governing body, the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) is holding its 29th Board meeting from 13-15 December in Geneva.
- The 2011 Political Declaration on AIDS – Implications for Africa
- Government, United Nations and civil society representatives gathered on the last day of ICASA 2011 to discuss how to deliver on the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS for Africa. The Declaration, unanimously adopted at the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS in June 2011, sets forth bold new targets and calls on member states to redouble efforts to achieve universal access by 2015.
- High-Level Taskforce to tackle gender inequality
- A new High-Level Taskforce on Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV for Eastern and Southern Africa was launched on 7 December at ICASA. The aim of the Taskforce is engage in high-level political advocacy in support of accelerated country actions and monitoring the implementation of the draft Windhoek Declaration for Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV.
- Strengthening health systems: delivering on the broader health and development agenda
- “Health and Social Affairs: Making Health Systems Work to Effective HIV Response,” was the title of a ministerial panel held on the third day of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). The panel showcased the impact the AIDS response has had additional benefits for the broader health and development.
- Community organizations and UN leaders discuss sustainable AIDS funding for Africa
- Under the banner “Getting to zero,” UN leaders and community representatives engaged in a passionate exchange on sustainable funding for the AIDS response in Africa. The discussion was overshadowed by mounting concern over the recent cancellation of the Round 11 by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund).
- First Lady of Ethiopia commits to elimination of new HIV infections among children
- In a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa on 5 December, Mr Sidibé congratulated the First Lady of Ethiopia on her successful stewardship of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) and urged her to continue to champion the health and well-being of women and girls across Africa.
- Caribbean Coalition for Social Justice launched
- The UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team launched the Caribbean Coalition for Social Justice (CCSJ) during the 2011 Caribbean HIV Conference, held in the Bahamas in November. The Barbados-based Coalition will pool resources and provide legal services for people in the region who have been victims of arbitrary acts of discrimination but do not have access to the courts.
- Society for AIDS in Africa unveils its new strategic plan for 2011- 2015
- The Society for AIDS in Africa (SAA) launched its Strategic Plan for 2011 - 2015 at the side-lines of the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). The SAA presented its strategy, together with the long-term vision of an African continent free of HIV, TB and Malaria.
- UNAIDS regional director for west and central Africa awarded with the Legion d’Honneur
- The UNAIDS regional director for west and central Africa Dr Meskerem Grunitzky-Bekele was awarded with the Legion d’Honneur for lifetime achievement in the AIDS response on 6 December in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Civil society and donor organizations talk AIDS financing at ICASA 2011
- On Monday 5 December, discussions in the community dialogue space at the 16th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) focused on financing the AIDS response. On this theme, UNAIDS and UNDP co-hosted the event ‘Donor dialogue session: Funding the grassroots and sustainable financing of the HIV response in Africa.
- ICASA leaders’ panel: Keeping the promise in the HIV response
- African leaders met on Monday 5 December at a special roundtable session during the 2011 International Conference of AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2011) to take stock of the efforts and promises made towards the AIDS response, the challenges and the way forward to fulfill these commitments.
- Middle East and North Africa records the highest number of HIV infections ever in the region in 2010 but recent progress is promising
- A report on the HIV epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) shows that while the overall HIV prevalence in the region is still low, the rise in new infections since 2001 has put the MENA region among the top two regions in the world with the fastest growing HIV epidemic.
- ICASA 2011 to focus on ownership, commitment and support to the AIDS response in Africa
- The XVI International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2011) opened on Sunday 4 December in Addis Ababa. Delegates from across the world are convening in Ethiopia to discuss the HIV-related challenges faced by Africa, as well as future strategies for consolidation and development of national AIDS responses.
- UNAIDS Executive Director calls on Ethiopian Government to lead on ownership and shared responsibility
- Ahead of the opening of the 16th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Africa (ICASA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with the Ethiopian Prime Minister H.E. Meles Zenawi at his office in the capital.
- U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, speaks at UNAIDS' Washington, DC Commemoration
- On a day when President Barack Obama announced new United States’ commitments to the AIDS response, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, spoke at a Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS(UNAIDS) hosted World AIDS Day commemoration event entitled "From Local to Global: Finding Common Cause in the AIDS Response".
- Community dialogue space opens at ICASA
- The dialogue space dedicated to community organizations was inaugurated today at the 2011 International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). The area, which is the heart of the Community Village, provides a space for grassroots and community based organizations to present innovative, local responses to the AIDS epidemic.
- UNAIDS survey finds growing concern in countries over potential funding roll back by Global Fund
- UNAIDS has conducted a 15-country rapid survey to understand the possible impact of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s recent decision to cancel its next funding round (Round 11). The survey looks at the impact of this decision on the ability of countries to scale up access to HIV and tuberculosis programmes.
- Gains in Ethiopia’s national AIDS response highlighted at World AIDS Day event
- Ethiopia’s progress in its national AIDS response has been celebrated at a World AIDS Day commemoration event in Addis Ababa, which was attended by the UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management and External Relations, Ms. Jan Beagle.
- 2011 World AIDS Day Statements
- Under this year’s World AIDS Day theme of “Getting to Zero”, the United Nations Secretary General, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and UNAIDS Cosponsors and partners speak out in special World AIDS Day statements.
- The 2012 round for the Red Ribbon award is open for nominations
- On this year’s World AIDS Day, UN and civil society partners jointly announce a global call for nominations for the 2012 Red Ribbon Award, intended to promote and support community organizations to respond to the AIDS epidemic.
- UNAIDS applauds China’s decision to fill its HIV resource gap
- China has pledged to fill its HIV resource gap by increasing domestic investments. This pledge was made China’s Premier H.E. Wen Jiabao at a World AIDS Day event in Beijing. The Premier also called on the international community to fully meet its commitments and achieve a world with zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.
November
- UNAIDS and Xinhua global media campaign kicks off
- The Chinese news agency, Xinhua and the Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) launched a global media campaign this week to promote public awareness of HIV on the eve of World AIDS Day.
- Leaders from West and Central Africa examine ways to eliminate new HIV infections among children
- Leaders from West and Central Africa met in Paris from 16 – 17 November to discuss strategies to accelerate progress in the elimination of new HIV infections among children.
- UN Secretary General urges continued commitment to aid towards “new cooperation partnership”
- Some 3500 delegates, including heads of state, ministers, civil society, the private sector and leaders of international organizations have come together for the Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Korea, from 29 November to 1 December to review the impact of development aid and chart a bold course for how the future of development cooperation will support the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
- UNAIDS Board members learn about Kenya’s AIDS response
- A delegation of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) has just concluded a field visit to Kenya. The delegation learned first hand about the government’s strong commitment to a multi-sectoral and integrated AIDS response, including working with civil society organizations in planning and delivering HIV services.
- Ahead of World AIDS Day UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Naomi Watts meets with mothers living with HIV in India
- Ahead of this year’s World AIDS Day (1 December), UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Naomi Watts travelled to Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi, India, to meet with mothers living with HIV and find out about some of the challenges they face in their daily lives.
- Doha+10: More people accessing HIV treatment
- 10th anniversary of Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health, TRIPS flexibilities improve access to antiretroviral therapy over the past decade.
- ASEAN leaders commit to “getting to Zero”
- The Heads of State and government from the ten countries that make up the Association of ASEAN have committed to making Zero New HIV Infections.
- German ministries for health and economic cooperation host HIV prevention conference
- “HealthRightNow” was the theme of a 1 day high-level conference held in Berlin on 21 November focusing on HIV prevention and human rights. hosted by BMZ and BMG
- African leaders define shared responsibility for the AIDS response
- “Africa is taking ownership of its AIDS response”. That was the message sent by all participants during a consultation organized by UNAIDS on 16 November 2011 at UNAIDS Headquarters in Geneva.
- UNAIDS releases global guidelines to monitor progress on the implementation of the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS
- In order to help countries produce standardized reports to effectively measure the state of the epidemic, UNAIDS has released the new guidelines on Global AIDS Response Progress Reporting 2012.
- Global Fund implementers meeting: opportunities and challenges
- UNAIDS, in collaboration with WHO and Stop TB Partnership, convened a two day consultation with implementers of Global Fund programmes in Nairobi from 3 - 4 November. This consultation was called to create a platform for implementers to discuss the changes taking place within the Global Fund, to help shape this transformation and contribute to the increased ownership and effective implementation of the reforms.
- Costa Rica: Ambitious youth HIV project reaping results
- José is one of more than 80 young peer educators spreading HIV prevention and healthy lifestyle messages in a bold project targeting two of Costa Rica’s key cities.
- First Lady of Uganda to Champion the elimination of new HIV infections among children in the country
- UNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Dr Sheila Tlou appealed to Uganda’s First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni to champion the elimination of new HIV infections among children in the country.
- UNAIDS teams up with One Day on Earth to film the HIV response
- On 11 November 2011, UNAIDS teamed up with the global initiative, “One Day on Earth” to film the many faces of the HIV response. More than 50 UNAIDS field offices in all parts of the globe participated in the project and captured different HIV-related events taking place during a 24-hour period.
- Political commitment towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children in Burundi
- Burundi is a small densely populated country located in sub-Saharan Africa with an HIV prevalence of 2.97% among the general population. It is also one of 22 countries worldwide that has contributed to the development of and signed up to implement the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive.
- Ukraine gives AIDS the Red Card
- The ‘Give AIDS the red card’ campaign, an initiative that uses the power of football to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV, kicked off on Thursday 27 October in Ukraine.
- Placing families at the heart of the AIDS response in the Middle East and North Africa
- Families need to be empowered to provide the first line of protection against stigma, raise HIV awareness and decrease new HIV infections in the Middle East and North Africa countries according to the participants of the recently concluded Qatar Symposium.
- Grassroot Soccer appoints UNAIDS Executive Director as a member of its Global Board of Directors
- Grassroot Soccer announced on Wednesday the appointment of the UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé as a member of its Global Board of Directors.
- Kenya's Prime Minister commits to the goal of eliminating new HIV infections in children by 2015
- In a meeting with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga on 2 November, UNAIDS Executive Director commended the Government of Kenya on progress in the country’s HIV response, including the significant scale-up in treatment access and expansion of services to prevent new HIV infections among children.
- 2011 Human Development Report: Health and development gains threatened by lack of equity and sustainability
- Progress in health and development in the poorest countries is in serious danger if the world does not make a concerted effort to reduce inequities, protect the environment and promote sustainability. This is the stark warning highlighted in the 2011 Human Development Report, launched on Wednesday by UNDP.
- Getting to Zero selected as World AIDS Day theme
- “Getting to Zero” is the theme selected by the World AIDS Campaign (WAC) to commemorate this year’s World AIDS Day on 1st December. The new theme, that will be used until 2015, echoes the UNAIDS vision of achieving “Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.”
October
- Women living with HIV championing the response to AIDS in Kenya
- A National Leadership Conference in Kenya brings together women living with HIV to join forces against AIDS.
- Housing Works to improve the lives of people living with HIV in the United States
- In 2009 there were an estimated 1.2 million people living with HIV across the United States of America. In many cities across the United States large numbers of people living with HIV are also homeless. In New York one organization is working hard to address the twin crisis of HIV and homelessness.
- HIV high on the agenda at World Health Summit
- More than 1 200 leading figures from the worlds of science, politics, economics and civil society are at the World Health Summit in Berlin to discuss some of the major challenges in global health today.
- Addressing the needs of young people critical as world population reaches 7 billion, says UNFPA report
- Within a matter of days, the world’s population is projected to reach 7 billion. This represents both a great challenge and a great opportunity. We can achieve a healthy and sustainable future for all if we act decisively now, according to the State of World Population Report 2011, published today by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
- Megabits and MDGs: How broadband can work for greater good
- Broadband Leadership Summit explores real applications of broadband infrastructure and services for accelerating achievement of the MDGs.
- UNESCO Youth Forum: Young people driving the HIV prevention revolution
- How can the world’s youth maximize their potential as dynamic agents of social, political and economic change to improve their lives, health and societies? The 7th UNESCO Youth Forum, held in Paris from 17 - 20 October, brought together nearly 250 youth delegates from 193 Member States and hundreds of civil society observers to try to find answers to this key question.
- World forum in Brazil seeks to close health equity gaps
- High-level government officials, medical experts and civil society representatives from 120 countries are gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at a three-day meeting focused on the social, economic and political conditions that drive health inequities. Convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Conference on Social Determinants of Health provides a global platform for discussion on a range of topics, including early child development, universal health care, social protections, fair financing, gender equity, political empowerment and global governance.
- People living with HIV in Ethiopia receive vital nutrition boost
- Men, women and children on HIV treatment in drought-affected Ethiopia will benefit from a US$ 56 million donation from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to the World Food Programme (WFP).
- Adapting to today’s epidemic: UNESCO launches its new AIDS Strategy
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recently launched a new AIDS strategy intended to meet the needs of the changing face of the AIDS epidemic.
- Medicines Patent Pool helps make antiretroviral medicines more widely available
- Aurobindo Pharma and MedChem have become the first generic antiretroviral medicines producers to join the Medicines Patent Pool. By joining the Pool, the two manufacturers are able to take advantage of the agreement signed between Gilead Sciences and the Medicines Patent Pool in July 2011.
- Luxembourg stands firm in its commitment to HIV
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the country’s contribution to the AIDS response and its support to UNAIDS at a meeting with the Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Marie-Josée Jacobs in Luxembourg.
- MDG-6 Forum addresses challenges faced by women and girls affected by HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
- Women, girls and HIV were the focus of a panel discussion on the final day of the International Forum on MDG-6 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Moderated by UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador James Chau, the session included representatives from government, civil society and international development organizations.
- UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassadors shine spotlight on HIV in BRICS countries and beyond
- On the opening day of the International Forum on MDG-6 in Moscow, Indian actress Preity Zinta, women’s World Cup champion Lorrie Fair, Russian HIV activist Alexandra Volgina and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé engaged in a lively discussion on how to turn the Millennium Development Goal 6 (MDG-6) into reality.
- Russian Federation convenes high level forum on MDG-6
- A three-day meeting in Moscow, hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation, brought together high level representatives from government, civil society, the private sector and scientific community. The Forum is an unprecedented platform to redouble progress towards the sixth Millennium Development Goal (MDG) in the region.
- Russian government and UNAIDS face off in charity soccer match
- On the eve of the International Forum on Millennium Development Goal (MDG)-6, the Government of the Russian Federation and UNAIDS co-organized a charity soccer match at the Luzhniki Olympic Stadium in Moscow in support of women and children living with HIV in Russia.
- UNAIDS Executive Director visits pioneering HIV clinic near St Petersburg
- On the first of a four-day mission to the Russian Federation, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador James Chau visited a specialized HIV clinic in Ust-Izhora, a suburb of Saint Petersburg. The UNAIDS delegation toured the facility with its chief physician, Dr Evegeny Voronin, a leading AIDS expert in Russia.
- Building knowledge, skills and hope in southern Africa’s schools
- Students and teachers in four southern African countries are benefiting from an ambitious HIV programme, spearheaded by UNESCO, designed to strengthen the education sector’s AIDS response in Angola, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.
- UNAIDS welcomes Haitao Gong, this year’s Serge Dumont-Fudan Strategic Communications Research Fellowship winner
- This year’s Serge Dumont Scholar, Haitao Gong, hopes to use his three-month internship with UNAIDS as a stepping stone to making his contribution to the world.
- Time for action, say HIV science roundtable participants
- The roundtable was entitled Closing the gap between science and implementation: Accelerating science to get to South Africa’s vision of zero new HIV infections, and looked at ways of maximizing the opportunities created by scientific research around HIV prevention in the past year to reach the country’s target of halving new HIV infections by 2015.
- Where innovation meets implementation
- In 2010 an announcement was made by the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) which rocked the AIDS world and promised hope for millions of women around the world.
September
- King Goodwill Zwelethini commended on his visionary response to HIV in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
- During his seven-day visit to South Africa, the UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé had the opportunity to meet His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelethini, in his home province of Kwazulu Natal.
- KwaZulu Natal adopts a holistic approach to HIV
- The Province of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa, has been widely acknowledged as leading the provincial response to HIV in the country. Its integrated approach to service delivery means that people who are accessing services are those who need them the most.
- Civil society in South Africa pushing beyond the status quo
- What’s in a name? In a meeting with representatives from more than 15 civil society networks in South Africa and the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Yvette Raphael talked about challenges faced by civil society and networks of people living with HIV.
- Lessons to be drawn from KwaZulu Natal’s integrated approach to HIV, health and social services
- The Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) commended the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Dr Zweli Mkhize on his commitment to integrating HIV with health and social and economic services.
- UNAIDS Executive Director official visit to South Africa
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé started a seven-day visit to South Africa on 27 September which will focus on the country’s efforts to ending new HIV infections amongst children by 2015, HIV integration services and bridging the science and implementation divide.
- Integrating human rights, gender equality and HIV prevention in national HIV responses
- UNAIDS brought together nearly 60 participants from 12 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa to a 3-day training workshop on expanding human rights, gender and HIV prevention programmes in national responses to HIV.
- Young drug users in Latin America need a stronger HIV response
- The 3rd Conference on Drug Policies in Latin America that took place in Mexico City from 13-14 September brought together experts, academics, civil society organizations legislators and decision makers to discuss drug consumption trends, drug related problems and the policies and interventions developed in the region.
- UNAIDS welcomes three new fellows in the fourth edition of its Special Youth Fellowship Programme
- UNAIDS welcomes Abhinav Singh from India, Ritah Namwiza from Uganda and Anthony Adero from Kenya to its headquarter in Geneva, as the fourth round of the UNAIDS Special Youth Fellowship programme.
- United States stresses its commitment to the AIDS response at the United Nations
- The President of the United States, Barack Obama, has stressed his country’s commitment to continue supporting the AIDS response, tuberculosis and malaria. In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly he also underscored the US’ commitment to the health of women and children.
- UNAIDS receives British Medical Association book award for its 2010 OUTLOOK report
- The UNAIDS 2010 OUTLOOK report received first prize in the category of popular medicine from the British Medical Association during their annual Book Awards ceremony that took place in London on 14 September 2011.
- Horn of Africa in crisis: famine, displacement and HIV
- The ongoing drought and famine in the Horn of Africa has put the lives of millions of people in Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia at serious risk. An estimated 13 million people in the region are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including food and medical care.
- Uniting around a common agenda to address HIV and non-communicable diseases
- On 19 - 20 September 2011, Heads of State and Government are coming together at the United Nations in New York, this time to address the prevention and control of NCDs worldwide.
- Meeting the needs of women living with HIV in Washington DC
- During an official visit to Washington DC, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé made a special stop at the Women’s Collective, a non-profit organization that provides HIV prevention, testing, care and support for women and their families in some of D.C.’s most underserved communities.
- United States Congress launches new bi-partisan caucus to strengthen the US’s response to AIDS
- The United States Congress has launched a new bi-partisan caucus to strengthen the US’s response to AIDS both at home and around the world and maintain its position as a global leader on AIDS.
- 7 billion people - 7 Billion Actions
- By the end of this year there will be 7 billion people on the planet. To mark this global milestone, which represents both significant opportunities and challenges, UNFPA and its partners have launched an innovative campaign called 7 Billion Actions.
- Recognizing the needs of female injecting drug users in north-east India
- The specific needs of women who use drugs are being addressed by UNODC and its partners in a new programme in north-east India. Operating in four states in the region, the project is providing HIV services to a key but underserved population.
- UNAIDS reiterates critical role of South Africa in AIDS response
- During a meeting with the newly appointed Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé highlighted the critical role that South Africa has to play in the global response to HIV.
- Expert meeting reviews scientific, medical, legal and human rights issues related to the criminalization of HIV exposure and transmission
- World leading scientists and medical practitioners joined legal experts and civil society representatives to discuss the scientific, medical, legal and human rights aspects of the criminalization of HIV non-disclosure, exposure and transmission.
- UNAIDS Executive Director visits Finnish capital to strengthen cooperation on AIDS
- During a one day visit to Helsinki, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with Finnish Government officials and civil society to strengthen Finland’s role in the global AIDS response.
- Progress in Mozambique's HIV response, but more focus needed on HIV prevention
- In a meeting with Armando Emilio Guebuza, President of Mozambique, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the Government of Mozambique on progress in the national response to HIV, which has resulted in a reduction in new HIV infections and expanded access to antiretroviral treatment.
- Give AIDS the Red Card initiative launched at All-Africa Games in Mozambique
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and Mozambique’s Minister of Youth and Sports H.E. Pedrito Fuleda Caetano launched the UNAIDS initiative Give AIDS the Red Card. The announcement was made on the eve of the 10th All-Africa Games, the continent’s largest multi-sports tournament bringing together more than 5 000 athletes.
- UNAIDS Executive Director commends the Government of Mozambique for its action on the 2011 Political Declaration on AIDS
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with Mozambique’s Prime Minister, H.E. Aires Aly Bonifácio as part of his four-day official visit to the country.
August
- New documentary film to stop violence against women and girls
- A new documentary film following the lives of four people in Africa aims at challenging patriarchy, end men’s violence against women and promote gender equality.
- Pop band JYJ and UNAIDS make social media campaign "Love Always" a #1 hit
- Newly appointed UNAIDS Regional Goodwill Ambassadors, Koean pop group JYJ joined UNAIDS to launch a new social media campaign, that has taken the Twitter world by storm.
- ICAAP 2011 closes in Busan
- The 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific at Busan ends after five days of symposia, skills-building workshops and satellite meetings.
- UNAIDS Executive Director meets the Republic of Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- In an official meeting on 29 August with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the Republic of Korea, H.E. KIM Sung-Hwan, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the Korean Government for its emerging global and regional role in the AIDS response.
- Stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV remains widespread in Asia and the Pacific, report shows
- People living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region often experience high levels of discrimination within in a variety of environments, according to The People Living with HIV Stigma Index: Asia Pacific Regional Analysis launched on the fourth day of the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, held in Busan, Republic of Korea.
- Accelerating treatment 2.0 in Asia and the Pacific
- While the number of people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy in Asia and Pacific almost tripled from 280 000 in 2006 to 739 000 in 2009, coverage remains low and only one in three people living with HIV had access to treatment in the region that year. UNAIDS and WHO convened partners to explore the Treatment 2.0 approach during the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific.
- ‘Thinking politically’: strategies for effective responses to HIV in Asia and the Pacific
- Activists, academics and HIV programme implementers met in Busan, South Korea at the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP 10) to explore and debate the political complexities of HIV responses. The event, entitled ‘Political Sciences and the Politics of HIV in Asia and the Pacific,’ shed light on the often highly political nature of responses to the epidemic.
- Secret lives, other voices: study explores sexuality, gender identity and HIV transmission risk in Fiji
- At ICAAP 10 the new study, Secret lives, other voices, was launched. It explores sexuality, gender identity and HIV transmission risk in Fiji, and represents the first research of its kind to be conducted since 1998 among men who have sex with men and transgender people in the country.
- President of Fiji committed to the AIDS response
- In a meeting with the President of Fiji on 27 August, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the Fijian leader and his Government for recent amendments to the country’s 2011 HIV/AIDS Decree. Officially endorsed on 25 August, the amendments remove HIV-related travel restrictions and ensure greater protection for the rights of people living with HIV.
- HIV travel restrictions – a primary obstacle to universal access for migrants
- There are still about 50 countries, territories and areas around the world that impose some form of restriction on the entry, stay and residence of people living with HIV. Such restrictions remain a key form of discrimination, affecting the rights and freedom of movement of many migrants living with HIV and would-be migrants.
- Community representatives air regional concerns in the AIDS response
- A wide range of representatives from key affected communities in the AIDS response joined UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 27 August for an interactive dialogue to share their concerns and reflections. The hour-long session, organized on the second day of the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP), was held in memory of Dr Robert Carr, a well known AIDS activist and human rights defender who passed away in May 2011.
- NewGen Asia: Helping young leaders find their voice
- Across the Asia and Pacific region a significant number of all new HIV infections are among young key populations including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people and young people who inject drugs. An initiative called NewGen Asia aims to develop the capacity of young people from key populations to lead the AIDS response.
- Eliminating new paediatric HIV infections and congenital syphilis in Asia-Pacific
- One of the key goals of the global AIDS response is the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive. In Asia and the Pacific, both Thailand and Cambodia are on track to reach this goal. However, overall, coverage of prevention of mother-to-child transmission is well below global averages, with very wide variations across the region.
- Tenth Congress on AIDS in Asia-Pacific opens under theme ‘Different Voices, United Action’
- The 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Busan, the Republic of Korea, brings together more than 4000 delegates to discuss what is needed to get HIV infections down to zero in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Asia-Pacific AIDS champions call for the realization of the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS ahead of ICAAP 10
- An AIDS champions meeting, held just before the opening ceremony of the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP10), brought together some of the most vocal leaders and activists across Asia and the Pacific to call on states, donor organizations and partners to implement the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS: Intensifying our efforts to Eliminate HIV/AIDS, adopted by all UN Members States at a High Level Meeting on AIDS in June.
- ‘Young People We Care' volunteers assist vulnerable households in Zimbabwe
- Across Zimbabwe thousands of young people are offering help, support and company to many elderly people who have lost sons and daughters to AIDS-related illnesses. The UNICEF initiative, ‘Young People We Care,’ is seen as a successful way of bringing together the young and old in the AIDS response.
- Asia-Pacific gears up for 10th International Congress on AIDS
- Several thousand participants from more than 55 countries are expected to gather in Busan, Republic of Korea from 26 to 30 August 2011 for the 10th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP10).
- Global Fund Round 11: UNAIDS support countries to strengthen proposals
- To support countries to develop high quality HIV proposals, WHO and UNAIDS Secretariat, in consultation with the other UNAIDS Cosponsors, have developed a resource kit for Global Fund Round 11 applications.
- World Humanitarian Day: celebrating people helping people
- Every day humanitarian aid workers help millions of people around the world. World Humanitarian Day, marked on August 19, is an opportunity to celebrate people helping people.
- Treatment success in South Sudan: Fozia’s story
- In South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, a range of bilateral and multilateral partners have been working with the government to provide HIV prevention, treatment, education and support services to a population recovering from the effects of more than two decades of civil war.
- International Youth Day: Young people are the catalysts of development
- August 2010 to 2011 is designated as International Year of Youth and as the world celebrates International Youth Day on August 12, young people are leading the world in bringing about an HIV prevention revolution.
- ‘Confront legal and policy barriers to HIV’: Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Dialogue on HIV and the Law
- To better understand the legal barriers to the AIDS response, the Global Commission on HIV and the Law, launched by UNDP and UNAIDS in June 2010, held its Regional Dialogue for sub-Saharan Africa at the beginning of August in Pretoria, South Africa
- Ghanaian AIDS advocate cycles the globe to raise awareness and leadership on HIV
- Shisu Yakubu of Ghana bikes from West Africa to address the issue of HIV.
- “Solutions that work for us”: Indigenous people tackle HIV in South America
- Ahead of the International Day of the World's Indigenous People, celebrated 9 August, communities and associations of indigenous people living with HIV from several Latin American countries met for the “TRAWUN HIV and traditional health from a cultural diversity approach,” in Lautaro Commune, Chile.
- Empowering women to protect themselves: Successes in female condom programming
- Ensuring that high quality condoms are widely available, either free or at an affordable price, is fundamental to a pragmatic and effective AIDS response. In a recently published report, UNFPA focuses on the increasing use of female condoms and highlights how millions of women around the world are now using this method to protect themselves against HIV.
- Mobile application for HIV data visualization at your fingertips
- More than 600 people around the world have downloaded the UNAIDS AIDSinfo application for the Apple iPad since its launch in June, 2011. The ‘app’ provides immediate access to key HIV data from around the world and can help policymakers, researchers and educators to better understand why and how HIV infection is spread and where treatment, care and support programmes are needed.
- New report explores implications of tests to estimate timing of HIV infection for criminal prosecutions
- The UK charity National AIDS Trust (NAT) launched a report on 4 August 2011 that explores the validity and meaning of Recent Infection Testing Algorithm HIV tests, or RITA tests, within the context of criminal prosecutions of HIV transmission.
- Guatemala holds second National HIV Testing Week Campaign
- At the end of July, an estimated 100 000 people took part in the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Guatemala’s National HIV Testing Week Campaign, now in its second year. In order to fulfill the right to health for all citizens, the Ministry, through the National AIDS Program, has established 295 HIV testing sites at national hospitals and health centers around the country.
- UNAIDS and Global Fund support countries in west and central Africa to optimise resources for HIV
- UNAIDS and the Global Fund have convened a meeting in Dakar, Senegal, to respond to the increasing need for risk management and accountability related to HIV funding.
July
- Country ownership and capacity development central in moving forward the response to AIDS
- Following the High Level Meeting on AIDS where world leaders agreed on bold targets, UNAIDS convened a workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to strengthen investments in capacity development of six sub-Saharan African countries.
- Young people key to reversing the global AIDS epidemic and leading the response
- A new report highlights that global commitments will be achieved only if the unique needs of young women and men are acknowledged and their human rights fulfilled, respected, and protected.
- Achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls through the HIV response
- On the periphery of the IAS 2011 conference taking place in Rome from 17-20 July 2011, UNAIDS, in collaboration with the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, ATHENA, Salamander Trust, WECARe+ and Network Persone Seropositive convened a town hall dialogue to discuss how the HIV response facilitates the achievement of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all women, including women living with HIV, at every stage of their lives.
- The Medicines Patent Pool announces negotiations with two additional pharmaceutical companies for patents on HIV medicines
- The Medicines Patent Pool announced that it has begun negotiations with Boehringer-Ingelheim and Bristol-Myers Squibb for patents on HIV medicines essential to treating people living with HIV in the developing world.
- 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention opens in Rome
- The 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2011) opened in Rome on 17 July. More than 5 000 AIDS researchers, scientists, clinicians, community leaders and policy experts have gathered to examine the latest developments in HIV-related research and to explore how scientific advances can inform the global response to AIDS.
- International Women's Summit explores ways to make the world safer for women
- The World YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) hosted its fourth International Women's Summit (IWS) in Zurich, Switzerland from 12-13 July 2011. The event brought together more than 1 000 participants from over 100 countries to discuss issues facing women and girls today ranging from gender inequality, young women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV to the social and economic dimensions of violence against women.
- First meeting of BRICS health ministers brings new leadership to global health
- Universal access to medicines was a key topic of discussion at a meeting today of health ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) in Beijing, China.
- China commits to UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths
- Vice Premier of China stresses the importance of “Three Zeros” vision in China’s national AIDS strategy and underlines importance of community participation in responding to HIV.
- Highly vulnerable transport sector needs effective HIV programmes
- Mobile populations, especially transport workers, are highly vulnerable to HIV. Many truck drivers and other mobile workers spend large amounts of time away from their families and can engage in multiple concurrent partnerships.
- New city-based HIV strategy in China to address HIV infection among men who have sex with men
- Government officials in Chengdu, China, hosted a workshop today to address the city’s rapidly-growing HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men.
- UNAIDS Executive Director commends the Government of China for its leadership in the HIV response
- In an official meeting today in Beijing with Dr Chen Zhu, China’s Minister of Health, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised China’s commitment and leadership in the national response to HIV.
- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launches annual progress report on the Millennium Development Goals
- On 7 July, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the annual progress report on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the MDG Report 2011, shining a spotlight on where progress is being made and where stronger efforts are urgently needed.
- Sex workers on the frontline of the AIDS response in India
- In a densely packed sub-urban township far away from Lutyen’s Delhi, at a small house encased in a cacophony of concrete flats, about 20 women engaged in sex work got together to share their experiences with UNAIDS Executive Director.
- Bipartisan Indian political leadership pledges to sustain India’s successful AIDS response
- Backed by strong bipartisan political support and a vibrant civil society movement, India’s AIDS response has transformed in the last ten years. New HIV infections in the country have fallen by more than 50% in the last decade. Yet the HIV prevention and treatment gap in India remains high.
- Myanmar’s national plan for AIDS confirms commitment to reach universal access by 2015
- Myanmar’s AIDS response received a boost with the launch of the new National Strategic Plan for AIDS, which reconfirmed the country’s commitment to reach universal access to HIV services by 2015.
- Russian Federation leadership in regional efforts to achieve MDG 6 is key: UNAIDS Executive Director
- In a one-day visit to Moscow on 29 June, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised the commitment and leadership of the Russian Federation in national and regional efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6—a global target that calls for halting and beginning to reverse the spread of HIV and other diseases by the year 2015.
June
- Competition launched to find top social media and mobile phone projects for HIV prevention
- The Elena Pinchuk ANTIAIDS Foundation has launched a competition to find social media and mobile phone projects for HIV prevention. The competition will award up to 10,000 USD to innovative, start-up projects that show proof of concept.
- The Organization of American States adopts resolution that condemns discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
- A new resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), condemns discrimination against persons based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
- Historic resolution on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity adopted at the Human Rights Council
- The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a historic resolution entitled Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity on 14 June.
- The 28th meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board opens
- The 28th Meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) will meet in Geneva from 21-23 June.
- Faith leaders discuss ending stigma at prayer breakfast meeting
- On the closing day of the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, faith-leaders came together with people living with HIV, representatives from key populations at higher risk of infection and other partners in the AIDS response to discuss ways to end stigma and to build strong collaborative partnerships for future action at country level.
- Integrating the AIDS response with broader health and development agendas
- Taking AIDS out of isolation and into integration was the focus of the final panel discussion on the closing day of the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS.
- Partners come together to lessen HIV-risk for migrants and mobile populations
- For the world’s 214 million international migrants and 740 million internal migrants the sometimes challenging conditions of the migration process can leave them vulnerable to HIV infection. During the General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York, governments, civil society partners and intergovernmental agencies came together to examine ways of increasing access to HIV services for people on the move.
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- Call for leaders to champion the needs of women and girls in HIV policy and programming
- “Women, girls and HIV” was the theme of a high level panel which was held at the United Nations on Thursday 9 June.
- Applying evidence for results: How can we effectively scale up HIV treatment?
- A special side event was convened for ministers from a wide spectrum of sectors—including health, justice, social development and labour to come together to share their experiences across the new landscape and outlook for HIV treatment, including treatment for prevention.
- Market approaches for innovation and access to medicines: Challenges and opportunities
- What lessons can be learned from market-based approaches to providing medicines and healthcare in low- and middle-income settings? What are the challenges and future opportunities? These were the key questions dominating an event organised by UNITAID, UNAIDS and the Medicines Patent Pool at the High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York this week.
- AIDS and Disability Partners Forum: Enhancing inclusive and accessible HIV programming which fits all the population
- To highlight the importance for national integration of the needs of persons with disabilities into all aspects of the AIDS response, a partner’s forum on AIDS and Disability was held on 9 June during the High Level Meeting on AIDS.
- High Level meeting side-event calls for full inclusion and recognition of key populations at risk of HIV in all responses to HIV
- A community dialogue event on 9 June brought together people from key affected populations to reinforce their call for a human rights-based approach to HIV programming.
- Young people in the AIDS response: Taking the lead
- Young people are at the heart of the AIDS epidemic and should be at the heart of the AIDS response. How to ensure the global challenge to HIV better serves the needs of young people was explored during a key event at the High Level Meeting on AIDS this week.
- Can MDG 6 be achieved with the Health Workforce we have?
- If international aims such as achieving health-related MDGs are to be realised, the serious global shortage of health workers must be urgently addressed. At a side-event during the High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York, the need to recognize human resources as crucial to the global AIDS response was explored in depth.
- It’s possible: Making the most of linking sexual and reproductive health and HIV responses
- Linking sexual and reproductive health and HIV is of critical importance. On 8 June, during a side event at this week’s High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York, the question of how exactly such linkages can be strengthened was explored in depth.
- High level panel highlights need for greater investments in technology and innovation to advance results for HIV prevention for treatment
- Delegates at 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS reflect on technological advancements made in HIV prevention and treatment and outline necessity for continued innovation to respond to epidemic in the coming decades.
- The Missing Face of Children and AIDS: Progress on Ten Years of Commitments
- Considerable progress has been made in putting children at the heart of the global AIDS response. During a side-event on 9 June called The missing face of children and AIDS: Progress on ten years of commitment, delegates explored how all children, everywhere can be assured access to good quality HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.
- New world report on disability: Breaking down barriers
- The world’s one billion people living with disabilities have poorer health, lower educational achievements and are more prone to social exclusion than those without disabilities. Today, the first ever World Report on Disability sets out to challenge these disparities and suggest how they can be overcome.
- Faith-based action: Confronting the impact of HIV funding cutbacks
- A High Level Meeting side event called Faith-based action to achieve universal access: Confronting the impact of funding cutbacks and advocating for the special needs of mothers and children living with HIV was held on 8 June.
- International Advisory Group convenes to rally solidarity for universal access to HIV services
- The International Advisory Group (IAG) on universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, convened on the eve of the 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS to rally solidarity for universal access to HIV services.
- UN Plus members discuss stigma and health insurance with UN Secretary-General during 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS
- UN Plus, the United Nations group of HIV positive employees, met with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 8 June to discuss stigma and discrimination as well as the various health insurances existing in the different UN agencies that are hampering staff members living with HIV and their families to have access to continued, comprehensive care.
- HIV prevention and protection for women and girls cannot wait
- HIV is recognized as the leading cause of deaths among women of reproductive age. To discuss this issue, a policy forum was held to identify and strengthen the response to women, girls and HIV on the sidelines of the 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS on 8 June.
- Getting to Zero new HIV infections: High Level Meeting panel outlines way forward
- To build on recent successes in HIV prevention, the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS brought together a panel for an inspired session to outline the way ahead to sustain the momentum of the HIV prevention revolution.
- Shared responsibility – a new global compact for HIV
- A call for a new global deal of compacts to shift leadership of the AIDS response to countries was made in the first panel Shared responsibility–a new global compact for HIV on the opening day of the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS.
- 2011 General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS opens
- The opening plenary of the 2011 General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS began today. More than 30 Heads of State, Government and Vice Presidents will attend the three day meeting which will include official plenary and five panel sessions along with 40 individual side events.
- In Women’s Words: HIV priorities for positive change
- To bring to the forefront priority actions for the AIDS response put forward by women around the world ahead of the General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, a special event was held on 7 June.
- Harnessing the power and leadership of parliamentarians in the AIDS response
- The world’s parliaments and parliamentarians have a crucial role to play in an effective response to the AIDS epidemic. How this influence can be harnessed in the challenge to HIV was the central theme of a meeting held on the eve of the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York.
- HIV treatment: Reducing deaths, illness and HIV infections while keeping costs down
- On the eve of the 2011 General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, a side event on HIV treatment was organized by Médecins Sans Frontières in collaboration with the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations.
- UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador HRH Mette-Marit of Norway supports youth event ahead of High Level Meeting on AIDS
- An event convened by young people in New York ahead of the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS was attended by UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Her Royal Highness (HRH) Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
- The AIDS pandemic at 30 years: Council on Foreign Relations host moderated discussion ahead of High Level Meeting on AIDS
- Ahead of the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS which will begin on 8 June, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) hosted a side event on 6 June to review the state of the AIDS epidemic.
- One million lives can be saved between now and the end of 2015 by preventing and treating tuberculosis among people living with HIV
- A new epidemiological model produced by the Stop TB Partnership, World Health Organization and UNAIDS shows that it is possible to sharply reduce AIDS deaths worldwide by preventing and treating tuberculosis.
- Poster power: A collection of AIDS awareness campaigns from around the world
- A new exhibition, now on display at the Art Directors Club in New York City, offers a glimpse at one of the most commonly-used visual media in the history of HIV campaigns: the poster.
- Yale convenes together senior health practitioners to build leadership and strategic problem-solving to improve health systems
- The Global Health Leadership Institute (GHLI) of Yale University held its 2011 GHLI Conference from 5-10 June 2001 under the theme of “moving health systems forward”.
- Global Business Coalition 10th anniversary conference: Business driving change for a healthier world
- The Global Business Coalition Annual Conference and Awards Dinner took place from 1-2 June in New York. This year’s event marked the 10th anniversary of the coalition and brought together more than 1 000 business executives, policy makers, celebrities and thought leaders to discuss on the corporate response to global health challenges and identify new avenues for future business action.
- Global Partners Forum on children affected by HIV: Time to turn commitments into action
- This year’s Global Partners Forum on children affected by AIDS brings together 100 high level representatives from governments, civil society, donors, international organizations and academic institutions in an effort to promote evidence-based approaches to improve the lives of children affected by HIV.
- Japan hosts follow-up meeting to discuss outcomes of MDGs Summit 2010
- The Government of Japan, along with the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, convened a follow-up meeting on 2-3 June 2011 in Tokyo to discuss the outcomes of the UN Millennium Development Goals Summit that took place in September 2010.
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- Celebration of Africa Liberation Day and the International Year for People of African Descent
- The Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations in partnership with the United Nations Senior Africans Group and the African Diaspora hosted an event at the UN on 31 May to celebrate African Liberation Day.
- 2 500 young people newly infected with HIV every day, according to Opportunity in Crisis
- Every day, an estimated 2 500 young people are newly infected with HIV, according to a global report on HIV prevention launched today. While HIV prevalence has declined slightly among young people, young women and adolescent girls face a disproportionately high risk of infection due to biological vulnerability, social inequality and exclusion.
- UN Economic and Social Commission in Asia and Pacific members adopt new Resolution on HIV ahead of High Level Meeting on AIDS
- In the lead-up to the 2011 General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS to take place in New York from 8-10 June, the 62 Members and Associate Members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission in Asia and the Pacific have unanimously adopted a new Resolution on HIV.
May
- The Middle East and North Africa region to step up efforts to ensure universal access to HIV services for men who have sex with men and transgender people
- Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgendered people are amongst the most stigmatized populations in the Middle East and North Africa. In spite of social tension and sensitivities, most countries in the region have recognized the importance of programming for, and working with, MSM to strengthen effective national AIDS responses.
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé gives guest lecture at Vatican International Study Meeting on HIV
- On 28 May UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé gave a guest lecture at a meeting hosted by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers and Good Samaritan Foundation in Rome.
- G8 Summit: Mrs Carla Bruni-Sarkozy hosts spouse event on the protection of mothers and children against HIV
- Mrs Carla Bruni-Sarkozy brought together the spouses of Heads of State and Government attending the G8-Africa Summit in Deauville to a working lunch dedicated to the protection of mothers and children against HIV.
- Reference Group calls on UN Member States to scale-up evidence-based interventions to address HIV among people who use drugs
- Ahead of the 2011 United Nations High Level Meeting on AIDS, the Independent Reference Group to the United Nations on HIV and Injecting Drug Use has issued a statement calling for Member States to focus on HIV transmission among people who inject drugs.
- Business boost for Nepal’s AIDS response
- Nepal’s AIDS response has received a business boost with the launch of a national Business Coalition on AIDS. The Coalition brings together multiple Nepalese private sector companies, leaders, innovators and industrialists to work collectively in the response to AIDS.
- A sustainable HIV response: New global health sector strategy to help chart the way forward
- The World Health Assembly today adopted a new comprehensive Global Health Sector Strategy for HIV/AIDS 2011-2015, spearheaded by WHO. The strategy aims to provide a detailed and comprehensive guide to how health sectors can most effectively tackle the epidemic.
- New manual and workbook for costing HIV facilities and services in countries aims to standardize data collection to improve planning
- To help countries monitor and evaluate the economic aspects of HIV service provision, UNAIDS has produced a generic HIV facility costing document titled Manual for Costing HIV Facilities and Services and an accompanying workbook entitled Workbook for collection of Cost Information of HIV Services.
- Photography exhibition in Egypt documents the power of people to create social change and calls for end to HIV-related stigma
- To highlight the power of people to create social change including ending HIV-related stigma, a photography exhibition has opened in Cairo. It displays a combination of portraits from the Egyptian revolution that took place in January 2011 and portraits submitted to a World AIDS Day photo contest in 2010 by young photographers under the theme Positive faces.
- On the front line: Report outlines progress made and the obstacles encountered in implementing Security Council Resolution 1308
- UNAIDS and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) have published a new report outlining the progress made and the obstacles encountered in implementing Security Council Resolution 1308.
- Prime Minister of Bangladesh highlights country’s HIV success story during World Health Assembly
- In her keynote address to the 2011 World Health Assembly, taking place in Geneva from 16-24 May, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina highlighted the progress made by her country in the response to HIV.
- Brazil’s Minister of Health and UNAIDS Executive Director discuss strategic collaboration opportunities
- In the sidelines of the World Health Assembly, taking place in Geneva from 16-24 May, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and Brazilian Minister of Health Alexander Padilha met to discuss the global AIDS response and promote South-South cooperation.
- Fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries hosts high level debate on gender equality and empowerment of women
- To place gender equality and the empowerment of women at the centre of discussions on human and social development, a high level interactive debate was held on 12 May 2011 during the fourth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries.
- Move it! AIDS campaign launched to rally support for the High Level Meeting on AIDS in June
- HIV activists, bike enthusiasts, and community members gathered in front of the United Nations in Geneva, to launch the television and social media campaign Move it! on 13 May 2011.
- International Advisory Group calls for global solidarity to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support
- The International Advisory Group on universal access met in Johannesburg, South Africa on 26-28 April 2011 to crystallize key findings informed by the outcomes of recent country and regional consultations on universal access.
- New draft AIDS strategy high on the World Health Assembly agenda
- The 64th World Health Assembly is taking place in Geneva from 16-24 May and will be attended by Health Ministers and officials from more than 190 countries.
- A national campaign aims to increase Namibian men's involvement in HIV health programmes
- In Namibia, UNICEF, the government and partners are committed to increasing men’s involvement in tackling the country’s AIDS epidemic and efforts to ensure a generation of children free of HIV.
- AIDS project helps communities in Russia to take actions to protect themselves
- "You should not expect a solution to come from the outside. You need to look for it in the very communities and their people,” says the director of the international non-governmental organization The Constellation, Jean-Louis Lamboray during a recent presentation of the AIDS Competence project, in Kazan, Russia.
- Local African community organizations in Brussels bring attention to children orphaned by AIDS globally
- On 5 May the External cooperation office of the European Commission provided a platform to representatives of self-support organizations for people affected by HIV from the African migrant community in Brussels to present on the situation of children orphaned by AIDS and other vulnerable children.
- Condom march brings public and HIV prevention commissioners onto the streets in South Africa
- A vibrant gathering took place outside the Treatment Action Campaign in Khayelitsha, as members of the public joined with high-level commissioners from the UNAIDS Commission on HIV Prevention to scale-up the use of condoms in communities most severely affected by HIV.
- UNESCO: Sexuality education for young people highly cost-effective
- Sexuality education programmes can be highly cost-effective, especially when compulsory, adapted from existing models and integrated into the mainstream school curriculum. This is the major conclusion emerging from a seminal study released by UNESCO in New York.
- HIV prevention in action: Grassroot Soccer mobilizes young people to stop the spread of HIV
- During the meeting of the UNAIDS High Level Commission on HIV Prevention, which is taking place in South Africa this week, commissioners took time out to visit Grassroot Soccer in Capetown.
- Life Ball to raise awareness on overcoming stigma and discrimination against people living with and affected by HIV
- In the lead up to the 2011 Life Ball, UNAIDS participated in a kick off press conference in Vienna. This year’s Life Ball them is focused on the element of “Air”, following the quadrennial cycle of the four elements started in 2008.
- Preventing HIV with social media and mobile phones
- “We need nothing less than an HIV prevention revolution, with social media and mobile technology at its core,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS in his opening remarks at the high level panel discussion focusing on how these new tools can be leveraged for HIV prevention.
April
- Qualitative study to tell the stories behind the numbers about women and HIV in Latin America
- Women living with and affected by HIV in Latin America recently met in Panama to identify tools and methodologies to undertake their own study on the “vulnerabilities of women living with HIV in Latin America and the Spanish speaking Caribbean.”
- Gulf Cooperation Council Member States call for collaborative approach to effectively respond to AIDS
- A new initiative “Combating AIDS in GCC countries” was hosted by the Minister of Health of Saudi Arabia, Dr Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Rabeeah and the Health Ministers Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states on 16-18 April in Riyadh. This initiative is a call for collaborative approach to keep HIV prevalence low in the GCC countries and re-affirms the political commitment of the council to respond effectively to AIDS.
- Countries questioning laws that criminalize HIV transmission and exposure
- To assist countries in the just application of criminal law in the context of HIV, UNAIDS has initiated a project to further investigate current scientific, medical, legal and human rights aspects of the criminalization of HIV transmission.
- Progress in national AIDS response commended by UNAIDS Executive Director during official visit to Namibia
- In a two-day official visit to Windhoek, Namibia, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended President Hifikepunye Pohamba, government authorities and civil society organizations for the country’s remarkable progress in reversing the course of its AIDS epidemic.
- To lift stigma around HIV in Egypt, forthcoming feature film tells one woman’s story of overcoming fear and social rejection
- Over the past several years, UNAIDS in Egypt has advocated with scriptwriters and film producers to create feature films that could bring a human face to HIV by creating characters that people could identify with.
- New monitoring centre helps tackle HIV in prisons in Latin America and the Caribbean
- The newly established Monitoring Centre for HIV and Prisons in Latin America and the Caribbean is set to become a key regional repository for collecting and analysing data on HIV in prison settings.
- UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway calls to action during the Mali Youth Summit on HIV
- UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway travelled to Bamako, Mali to participate in the Youth Summit on HIV, an event convened under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, and co-hosted by UNAIDS.
- Put girls first, speakers urge governments during Commission on Population and Development event
- “Investing in adolescent girls benefits everyone, and when they flourish, their families and communities flourish as well,” said Dr Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA, speaking at the 44th Session of the Commission on Population and Development.
- Students of Master’s degree in International Health begin new module on HIV at the Senghor University of Alexandria
- In 2010 UNAIDS and the Senghor University of Alexandria signed an agreement of cooperation to include a 25 hour module specific to AIDS into the university’s Master’s degree in International Health programme. The opening session of this new module, co-organized by Senghor University and UNAIDS, was held on 17 April 2011.
- Using games to prevent HIV among indigenous youth in Guatemala
- More than 1000 indigenous children and adolescents aged 9 to 15 years old from rural communities of Guatemala learned about HIV in the 5th Rolling Fair called More information, less infection.
- Young people convene in Mali to revolutionize the AIDS response
- A youth summit convened under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Mali, Amadou Toumani Touré, and co-hosted by UNAIDS provides a forum for young leaders to commit themselves in innovative ways to mobilize young people for the AIDS response.
- Guinea’s President and First Lady to attend the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS
- President Alpha Condé and the First Lady, Ms Djene Kaba Condé, will participate in this year’s UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS. The announcement came during a two-day official visit by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé to the West African nation of Guinea Conakry.
- Middle East and North Africa ready to scale up harm reduction services in its response to AIDS
- Injecting drug use is becoming an increasingly significant mode of transmission in the Middle East and North Africa. Experts gathered recently to discuss the issue in the first international drugs-related conference to be held in the region.
- Israel signs first Agreement of Cooperation with UNAIDS
- Israel signed its first-ever multi-year cooperation agreement with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS on 13 April 2011.
- UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights encourages UN Member States to focus on human rights ahead of High Level Meeting on AIDS
- The UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights has issued a statement encouraging UN Member States to reaffirm the focus on human rights that has driven 30 years of progress in the global HIV response.
- Dairy cooperative in Tanzania is helping rural women to help themselves
- In rural Tanzania a women’s dairy cooperative, supported by the International Labour Organization, is giving women, including women living with HIV, economic independence and hope for a better future. One of them, Faith, has seen her life transformed.
- Asia-Pacific region committed to achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support
- Nearly 30 countries from Asia and the Pacific have unanimously committed to driving forward the region’s efforts to reach universal access to HIV services by 2015.
- Challenges, achievements and aspirations to be shared as civil society gears up for General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS
- The United Nations General Assembly hall will host a new format of interactive dialogue between civil society organizations and United Nations member states on how better to respond to HIV on 8 April 2011.
- Empowering young people in Latin America to participate in Global Fund proposals through national mechanisms
- Young people working on AIDS issues in Latin America are learning how to engage youth in the development, implementation and monitoring of Global Fund proposals through national mechanisms.
- World Health Day 2011: Urgent action necessary to slow down the spread of drug resistance
- Drug resistance is becoming more severe and many infections are no longer easily cured, leading to prolonged and expensive treatment and greater risk of death, warns WHO on World Health Day.
- Innovative project in Tanzania places young people at the centre of HIV responses
- During a visit to the Tanzanian Youth Alliance, a national non-profit organization based in Dar Es Salaam, UN Deputy Secretary-General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised the young people for the extraordinary responsibility they have shown in addressing HIV.
- Improving access to quality and affordable drugs in Africa: The role of the International Conference on Local Pharmaceutical Production in Africa and the launch of the Southern African Generic Medicines Association
- In developing countries, one of the major challenges for universal access to treatment is access to affordable commodities. Two events in Cape Town are giving an opportunity for discussion, reflection and developing a strategy for improving access to quality and affordable drugs in Africa.
- Business sector can play key role in the AIDS response in Africa
- Thirty years into the epidemic, is business a full partner in the AIDS response in Africa? A recent symposium hosted by Heineken N.V. in Amsterdam highlighted that there are many ways the private sector can contribute.
- Joint mission highlights successes and challenges in Tanzania’s AIDS response
- In a joint mission to the United Republic of Tanzania, UN Deputy Secretary-General Dr Asha-Rose Migiro and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé met with high-level government officials.
- Human rights and “zero discrimination” critical for future of the AIDS response in the Caribbean
- Representatives from government, civil society, people living with HIV, UN agencies and development partners from across the Caribbean met in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, to review progress towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.
March
- North Star Alliance road show highlights work of its network of mobile clinics along transport corridors in Africa
- A 40-foot converted shipping container making its way around European cities is vividly highlighting the work of North Star Alliance. This public-private partnership is committed to building a network of roadside clinics at transport ‘hotspots’ across Africa to provide long-haul truck drivers, sex workers and surrounding communities with access to basic health care.
- Investment in HIV prevention among key populations and scale up of HIV treatment coverage key to universal access in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
- Insufficient investment in programmes to prevent HIV infection among key populations at higher risk is hampering efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
- Investment in health is an investment in economic development
- African Ministers of Health and Finance came together in Addis Ababa on 29 March 2011 for a high level panel discussion to explore new ways of investing in health.
- Top 30 medicines to save mothers and children identified by the World Health Organization
- The World Health Organization has published its first ever list of 30 priority medicines for maternal and child health. The list includes medicines for children living with HIV as well as a triple combination of drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
- New framework to eliminate transmission of HIV from mothers to their babies
- The elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Eastern and Southern Africa has come a step closer with the endorsement of a new regional framework following a three-day consultation in Nairobi, Kenya.
- Commission on Narcotic Drugs adopts resolution on scaled up HIV prevention among people who use drugs
- The fifty-fourth session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) has adopted a resolution on Achieving zero new infections of HIV amongst injecting and other drug users.
- From isolation to integration: Rwandan project transforms women’s lives
- In 2004, two sisters in Rwanda started a “trade-not-aid” initiative that produces high-end handicrafts. From a humble beginning with just 20 artisans in the remote village of Gitarama, Gahaya Links has since expanded its network to more than 5000 weavers nation-wide.
- Viet Nam takes stronger action on gender and HIV
- The Government of Viet Nam has made firm commitments to develop a comprehensive response to HIV, as well as to prioritize gender equality within the country’s socio-economic development strategy.
- Treatment 2.0: Translating concept into practice to overcome the HIV epidemic
- How to translate the concept of Treatment 2.0 into practice was the topic of discussion at a seminar organized by UNAIDS’ Evidence, Strategy and Results (ESR) Department.
- Call for increased commitment to meet the goal of diagnosing and treating one million people with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis between 2011 and 2015
- To mark World TB Day, WHO, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Stop TB Partnership are calling on world leaders to step up their commitment and contributions to meet the goal of diagnosing and treating one million people with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis between 2011 and 2015.
- Strategies for “getting to zero” and stopping new HIV infections among injecting drug users discussed as Commission on Narcotic Drugs opens in Vienna
- High-level experts gathered for a round table on “Getting to Zero” – Achieving zero new HIV infections for injecting drug users, in Vienna Austria on 21 March 2011. The event took place on the opening day of the fifty-fourth session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) which runs in the city until 25 March 2011.
- UNAIDS and Flanders renew cooperation agreement with emphasis on HIV prevention
- UNAIDS and Flanders renewed their multi-year agreement of cooperation on 22 March 2011 during an official visit from a Flemish delegation headed by Minister-President Kris Peeters to the UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva.
- Churches called to task on preventing and reducing the impact of sexual violence
- The findings from recent research on the role of the church in responding to sexual violence have been presented at an event in London, hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The report, Silent No More, commissioned by the Christian relief and development agency Tearfund, is a self-critical look at the way in which churches have responded to sexual violence in three African countries that have been or are still facing conflict.
- First Russian network to improve the quality of life of women affected by HIV
- The first Russian network of women living with HIV is uniting women, organizations and associations from various parts of Russia. The goal of the network is to improve the quality of life for women affected by HIV.
- Cricket star Sangakkara tells Sri Lankan young people to be aware, open and informed about HIV
- Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara took time off the pitch during the Cricket World Cup tournament to speak to hundreds of young people about the importance of being informed and responsible about HIV.
- Addressing stigma and discrimination and homophobia key to achieving universal access in Latin America
- The Secretary of Health of Mexico, Dr José A. Córdova, called on countries in Latin America to continue efforts to counter stigma, discrimination and homophobia in the region.
- Zimbabwe: an HIV prevention success story
- HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe has declined remarkably in recent years, dropping from 26% to 14% between 1997 and 2009. In a recent edition of the journal PLoS Medicine, researchers explored the reasons for this decline and examined what lessons can be learned and replicated.
- amfAR briefing highlights roadmap to accelerating an HIV prevention revolution
- As part of amfAR’s emerging issues series, a briefing was held on Capitol Hill, in Washington, D.C. on 9 March entitled "Accelerating an HIV Prevention Revolution: A Roadmap". Speaking at the briefing, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Paul De Lay stressed the need to scale up combination HIV prevention worldwide.
- Hitting HIV for six: Star cricketers unite with people living with HIV in India
- Sonu is a 14 year-old living with HIV, knocking around balls with cricketing great Graeme Smith and his colleagues from the South African team. The occasion, a special HIV awareness-raising practice session organized as part of the International Cricket Council, UNAIDS and UNICEF Think Wise campaign during the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
- Women under the Same Sky
- Ms Le Frak, a film producer from the USA and now social entrepreneur, started Same Sky while trying to make a film about the genocide in Rwanda. Although the film project never materialized, she felt there were other skill sets she could lend to make a difference in the lives of the women she met in the country.
- National ownership of the AIDS response essential for universal access in West and Central Africa
- Stakeholders in the AIDS response across West and Central Africa met in Dakar, Senegal from 3–4 March 2011 to review progress made towards achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
- New book sheds light on women and men’s access to care and experience of care-giving in African countries
- A new book publishes research that sheds fresh light on the lives of women living with HIV in African countries and their experience as recipients and givers of care.
- UNHCR: Countering stigma and silence about HIV among refugees and host communities in northern Ecuador
- A special UNHCR programme to prevent HIV has been implemented by community health workers, and is helping to educate refugees and host communities in isolated areas of the jungle surrounding Lago Agrio.
- Bangladesh gives the 2011 Cricket World Cup an HIV awareness spin
- As the overs are bowled, the wickets fall and the crowds go crazy in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, host-country Bangladesh is giving the tournament an HIV spin. Through the Think Wise campaign the tournament is raising awareness among young people on HIV prevention and reducing stigma.
- Methadone substitution therapy helps prevent new HIV infections in Belarus
- Substitution therapy with methadone was introduced in Belarus three years ago and has since expanded from one pilot clinic to a network of centres. Today, over 450 people in eight cities across the country are receiving treatment on a daily basis.
- UN Women and UNAIDS address the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women
- On 28 February 2011, UNAIDS delivered a statement on behalf of its cosponsors as well as UN Women at the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The joint statement addressed the linkages between HIV, education and employment of girls and women.
February
- UNICEF: Lack of attention to needs of young people has damaging social, economic, political and health consequences for all
- Investing now in the world’s 1.2 billion adolescents aged 10 to 19 can break entrenched cycles of poverty and inequity, says UNICEF in its flagship 2011 State of the World’s Children report, called ‘Adolescence: An Age of Opportunity’.
- Young people to call for strengthened HIV prevention at the regional universal access consultation in Latin America
- From Brazil to Mexico young people in Latin America are busily coordinating their inputs to communicate a unified message in the upcoming regional universal access consultation to be held 1-2 March 2011 in Mexico.
- UNAIDS and UN Women: Taking the women and girls HIV response to the next level
- Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the AIDS epidemic and HIV is now the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. What can and must be done to challenge this stark situation? The 55th meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, currently taking place in New York, provided a valuable forum for UNAIDS and UN Women to find answers and set strategic directions.
- President of 65th session of the General Assembly meets with High Level Meeting on AIDS co-facilitators, UNAIDS leadership and civil society
- The President of the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly Mr Joseph Deiss convened the first formal meeting on the preparations for the 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and the event co-facilitators.
- UN Women: A new voice championing women’s equality
- The cause of promoting gender equality and meeting the needs of women and girls has taken an historic step forward. A new organization—UN Women—was officially launched yesterday at the UN General Assembly Hall in the presence of leaders from the worlds of politics, entertainment, business and the media.
- The right of women and girls living with HIV to sexual and reproductive health takes centre stage at the CSW
- A special event at this year’s Commission on the Status of Women brought together influential experts, leaders and advocates to discuss how sexual and reproductive health and the rights of women and girls living with HIV can be enhanced and protected. The high-level consultation was jointly organized by UNAIDS, UNFPA and UN Women.
- Health 8 group meet to discuss maximizing health outcomes with available resources and getting “more health for the money”
- The Health 8 group gathered at the UNAIDS Headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday 23 February to reflect and strategize on one of most pressing issues affecting the health of the world’s population—maximizing health outcomes with available resources.
- Kenya to adopt comprehensive HIV prevention package for people who inject drugs
- The Kenyan government is taking an innovative approach to reducing HIV among injecting drug users. In a bold new initiative, the government is set to give drug users free access to HIV prevention and treatment services.
- Cambodia’s First Lady appointed national champion for women’s and children’s health
- The First Lady of Cambodia, Lok Chumteav Dr Bun Rany Hun Sen, has been appointed the National Champion for the UN Secretary-General’s Action Plan for Women’s and Children’s Health.
- Breaking the silence: Fact and priorities for the AIDS response in the Middle East and North Africa
- Information about the spread of HIV in the Middle East and North Africa region has been extremely limited, with no real picture of the epidemic emerging. As a major contribution to increasing knowledge of AIDS in the region, the World Bank recently convened a discussion to highlight the first ever comprehensive scientific analysis of the epidemic.
- Letter to Partners 2011: UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé
- Letter to Partners 2011: UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé
- UNAIDS applauds Thailand’s successes on AIDS and urges continued leadership through an ‘HIV prevention revolution’
- On the final day of an official country visit to Thailand, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised Thailand’s Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, for his leadership and commitment on AIDS in the country and urged Thailand to redouble efforts—and resources—on HIV prevention.
- UNAIDS urges Governor of Bangkok to lead a drive towards 'zero new infections'
- In an official mission this week to Thailand, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé held discussions with M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Governor of Bangkok, on progress, challenges and opportunities for the AIDS response in the Thai capital. During the meeting, Mr Sidibé asked for increased support to help make Bangkok the first city to reach the goal of "zero new HIV infections."
- Getting into the SWING of it: Why key affected populations need to be front and centre of HIV responses in Asia and the Pacific
- High heels, sequined outfits and pumping music fill Bangkok’s ‘Soi Cowboy’ street. For many, it’s a typical evening in one of the city’s well-known red-light zones. But a closer look at the fashion parade tells that this isn’t just any other night—the elaborately designed outfits, made entirely from condoms, are part of a Valentine’s night HIV prevention drive led by SWING (Service Workers In Group) Foundation, a Thai-based non-governmental organization.
- UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Toumani Diabaté wins GRAMMY Award
- UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Toumani Diabaté received a GRAMMY award for best traditional world music album for his joint album with Ali Farka Toure's entitled “Ali and Toumani”.
- UNAIDS applauds longstanding leadership of HRH Princess Soamsawali in Thailand’s HIV response
- In an official visit to the Suan Kalub Palace in Bangkok on Monday, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended HRH Princess Soamsawali of Thailand for her “tireless dedication, commitment and leadership” in the country’s HIV response.
- Official visit to Berlin for meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice-Chancellor, and Minister of Health
- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé held discussions with the German government on Tuesday on the future of the global AIDS response and asked for its continued support to keep HIV on the international development agenda.
- Judicial officials convene in Dakar for consultation on HIV, the law and human rights
- Ministers of Justice and judges from across West and Central Africa gathered on 6-8 February in Dakar, Senegal, for a high-level consultation on HIV, the law and human rights. The meeting aimed to increase the engagement of judicial officials in the HIV response at national levels.
- Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, leaders will gather in June for 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS
- Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, and 10 years since the landmark UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, the world will come together to review progress and chart the future course of the global AIDS response at the 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS from 8 –10 June 2011 in New York.
- UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway visits UNAIDS to listen and share ideas
- UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway was in Geneva today on an official visit to UNAIDS Headquarters to share discussions with senior staff.
- Preventing new HIV infections among children is the focus of a meeting of African First Ladies
- Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV was high on the agenda at a General Assembly of the Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA), held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
January
- Innovation for the AIDS response focus as USAID head visits UNAIDS
- Dr Rajiv Shah, administrator of USAID met with UNAIDS Executive Director Mr Michel Sidibé and discussed how the two organizations could work strategically in the global AIDS response.
- UN Secretary-General reaffirms commitment to be an activist alongside UNAIDS during visit to headquarters
- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid a visit to the UNAIDS Secretariat headquarters in Geneva on 26 January. He took the opportunity to share his thoughts and vision with staff, and encouraged them to work even harder to “remove the hidden obstacles” in the AIDS response.
- Efficiency, results, and value for money top of discussions during visit of UK Secretary of State for International Development to UNAIDS
- Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at UNAIDS headquarters on 26 January.
- “Score the Goals” comic book launched: Ten football Goodwill Ambassadors embark on a journey facing the challenges of the Millennium Development Goals
- A new comic book for children featuring Michael Ballack and other football stars who are United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors was launched on 24 January at the United Nations in Geneva, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr Wilfried Lemke.
- “Get the Facts, protect yourself”: World-class cricketers champion HIV campaign at 2011 Cricket World Cup
- They may be rivals on the field of play, but international cricketing stars Virender Sehwag and Kumar Sangakkara have joined together to support a new “Think Wise” campaign ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 with launch of a public service announcement.
- UNAIDS mission highlights HIV response among female sex workers
- About 2% of the adult population in Ghana is living with HIV—a figure that has remained unchanged for the past 10 years. The number of new HIV infections in this West African nation, estimated at about 22 000 per year, has also stabilized over the past decade. Sex work in Ghana contributes to a significant proportion of new HIV infections.
- UNAIDS and IOM sign agreement to improve access to HIV services for migrants
- The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today signed a new cooperation agreement to overcome HIV-related challenges faced by many migrants.
- China Central Television names news anchor and National UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador James Chau its International Journalist of the Year
- China Central Television has named CCTV News Anchor and National UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador James Chau its International Journalist of the Year. The prize was given for his coverage of the 2010 Manila Hostage Crisis, and in recognition of the awareness his reporting brings to the rights of HIV-positive people.
- Sex workers and loggers in Guyana challenge HIV together
- Kay Forde has been a sex worker in Guyana for more than 20 years. She is an AIDS activist too. As secretary of the One Love Organization, a non-governmental organization addressing the HIV needs of sex workers, Ms Forde is committed to working with their clients, many of whom earn their living in the logging industry.
- ‘A better future’: New evidence shows triple antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV
- The Lancet Infectious Diseases today published evidence from a World Health Organization-led study. The study showed that giving pregnant women living with HIV a combination of three antiretroviral (ARV) drugs from the last trimester, through delivery and six months of breastfeeding can reduce the risk of their babies being infected with HIV by more than 40%.
- Norway urged to continue commitment to AIDS response
- Norway is a longstanding supporter of the AIDS response and has shown outstanding leadership on AIDS issues both domestically and abroad. Norway has been increasingly present in the African region, providing support on a range of HIV issues but perhaps most notably on HIV prevention.
- Interview with Sigrun Mogedal, recently honoured by Norway for her contribution to the global AIDS response
- Dr Sigrun Mogedal, former Norwegian AIDS Ambassador, has received the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav for "distinguished services rendered to the country and humanity". Dr Mogedal, a physician by training, has contributed significantly towards international health cooperation.
- Young people in Tajikistan help each other prevent the spread of HIV
- HIV prevalence has been increasing in the Republic of Tajikistan for more than two decades. Now a network of Y-PEER youth trainers, supported by UNFPA, are helping disseminate HIV prevention messages to other young people.
- Progress in restoring access to HIV services in Haiti
- One year after a devastating earthquake in Haiti, the delivery of HIV prevention and treatment services appears to be back on track.
- South Sudan addresses concerns of HIV-affected refugees
- Mary Kiden is a refugee in Uganda who is living with HIV and taking antiretroviral medicines. She wants to return home to southern Sudan but worries about whether her medical needs will be met. To help her make up her mind UNHCR recently invited Mary to join a ‘go-and-see’ visit to her former home. She was pleasantly surprised by what she found.
- UNAIDS congratulates Annie Lennox on receiving the Order of the British Empire
- Annie Lennox, international singer and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE), an honour conferred by Queen Elizabeth II. The announcement was made on 31 December as part of the 2011 New Year Honours list.
