GENEVA, 19 September 2018—UNAIDS welcomes the decision by its third largest donor, the Netherlands, to increase its funding to UNAIDS by more than 20%. The Netherlands will provide US$ 23.3 million in core funding in 2018, compared to US$ 19.2 million in 2017.
“I am encouraged by the Netherland’s firm commitment to UNAIDS and to the response to HIV. Despite tremendous progress, there are still miles to go to reach critical targets, and time is running out,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “This increase in funding will help UNAIDS’ efforts in leading the response to push AIDS into permanent decline.”
The funding agreement was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, by Mr Sidibé and Monique van Daalen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations in Geneva. The increased contributions from the Netherlands will go towards supporting the implementation of UNAIDS’ 2016–2021 Strategy, which includes reducing new HIV infections to below 500 000 and ensuring that 30 million people living with HIV have access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy by 2020.
“UNAIDS’ mandate is clear and specific, namely to end AIDS. UNAIDS’ leadership has been critical in achieving the progress we have seen to date,” said Ms van Daalen. “UNAIDS is an important knowledge centre and uses critical data and information, also on existing barriers, to advocate for a more effective AIDS response. Increased and consistent funding for UNAIDS will ensure that no one is left behind. UNAIDS’ focus on the most vulnerable groups is crucial.”
UNAIDS is funded entirely through voluntary contributions. Fully funding its work is critical to achieving UNAIDS’ vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
