Feature story

UNAIDS and Municipality of Salvador in the State of Bahia sign an agreement to promote HIV prevention campaign

01 August 2013

The Municipality of Salvador in the State of Bahia today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in which both organizations agreed to work jointly to raise awareness of HIV and mobilize the worlds of sport and culture to promote UNAIDS Protect the Goal campaign.

The main objective of the MoU is to establish a technical development cooperation framework in support of UNAIDS vision of “Getting to Zero” in the State of Bahia and carry out advocacy activities in support of UNAIDS “Protect the Goal” campaign, a brand new initiative that highlights the power of protection and fosters HIV prevention and treatment particularly among young people in advance of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Globally, an estimated 4.6 million young people (15-24 years of age) are living with HIV. About 2 300 young people are infected with HIV each day. Many young people living with HIV, who are eligible for treatment lack access or do not know their HIV status. In Latin America, the situation among youth is of particular concern given that less than 30 per cent of those aged 15-24 years correctly identify how to prevent sexual transmission of HIV, and condom use in this age group remains low, while only 30 per cent of women aged 20 to 24 report using condoms during last sexual activity.

In Brazil, HIV and AIDS estimates for 2011 were as follows: New infections (all ages): 18,000 [11,000 - 26,000]; Number of people living with HIV: 490,000 [430,000 - 570,000]; Percentage of people living with HIV (aged 15 - 24); Adults aged 15 to 49 prevalence rate: 0.30% [0.30% - 0.40%]; Adults aged 15 and up living with HIV: 470,000 [410,000 - 550,000]; Women aged 15 and up living with HIV: 200,000 [170,000 - 230,000]; Deaths due to AIDS: 15,000 [12,000 - 20,000]; and Orphans due to AIDS aged 0 to 17: 78,000 [48,000 - 110,000].

Quotes

We applaud the signing of this cooperation agreement that aims to strengthen local capacities and harmonize programmes with other UN agencies.

Antonio Carlos Magalhães Neto, Mayor of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

We are appreciative of the efforts of the Municipality of Bahia to leverage the convening power of sport and culture to support the Protect the Goal campaign. We look forward to joint efforts with local officials for the successful outcome of the promotion of the campaign.

Dr Djibril Diallo, Senior Adviser to the Executive Director, UNAIDS

The signing of the MoU here today emphasizes the commitment of Brazil and society at large to get to zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

Dr César Antonio Núñez, Director, Regional Support Team for Latin America, UNAIDS