UNAIDS | Latest Updates

Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly opens

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly opens today in Geneva, as officials from 194 Member States begin their annual review of the activities of WHO and set new priorities for the future. The Health Assembly will discuss specific health topics like non-communicable diseases, universal health coverage, women and children’s health, as well as the programme budget, administration, reform and management matters of the World Health Organization.

UNAIDS saddened by death of human rights activist Shivananda Khan

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:00:00 GMT

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is deeply saddened by the death of Shivananda Khan, an AIDS activist who was known and respected for his tireless promotion of the rights of men who have sex with men and transgender people.

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

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:00:00 GMT

As the African Union (AU) begins its 21st summit in Addis Ababa, celebrating 50 years of African unity, The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has released Update a new report on the AIDS response in Africa, documenting the remarkable recent progress against HIV on the continent.

32nd PCB Meeting - June 2013

The 32nd meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board will take place from 25-27 June 2013 in Geneva, Switzerland.

General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and UNAIDS to work toward an accelerated HIV response in the Arab Region

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 20 May marking a new commitment to the HIV response in the Arab Region.

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

No time to lose in the search for an HIV vaccine

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) joins partners and allies around the world in recognizing World AIDS Vaccine Day.

Viet Nam: South-South learning helps prepare for sustainable provision of AIDS treatment

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In April 2013, UNAIDS supported a study visit by a multi-sectoral Government delegation to Thailand. The delegation learned how Thailand, as a middle-income country, is providing universal access to antiretrovirals and all HIV-related tests free-of-charge, financed by the state budget and provided to all in need through national health insurance schemes.

UNAIDS Executive Director's bilateral meetings

Wed, 15 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé regularly meets with representatives from governments, civil society and other international organizations to advance the response to AIDS.

Zimbabwe’s sustained progress towards “Getting to Zero”

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Zimbabwe is an example of political commitment and progress in the AIDS response. Although it is one of the countries most affected by the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa, with an adult HIV prevalence of 15%, the country has achieved and sustains universal coverage of treatment to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of HIV (93%) and adult antiretroviral therapy (ART) with 95% of adult Zimbabweans eligible for HIV treatment receiving it.

Switzerland strengthens support to UNAIDS

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

The Federal Councillor for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Didier Burkhalter announced the government’s intention to increase its annual contributions to UNAIDS for 2013, 2014 and 2015 during the official visit of UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé to the Swiss capital of Bern. Such contribution reaffirms Switzerland’s position among UNAIDS' top 10 donors.

UNAIDS welcomes Roberto Azevêdo as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo of Brazil as the as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Tue, 14 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

More than 30 years ago, gay men lit the first spark that kindled the world’s response to the AIDS epidemic. Thanks to the audacity and courage of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, we have now seen extraordinary progress against AIDS around the world. However, stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity still drive new HIV infections and are an obstacle to treatment efforts in every part of the world.

UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director commends Zimbabwe for its strong political will, commitment and sustained progress towards Getting to Zero

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

In a meeting on 8 May 2013 with the Vice President of Zimbabwe, Hon Joice Mujuru, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Management and Governance, Jan Beagle commended the Zimbabwean government for its leadership in the AIDS response.

NGO/civil society participation in PCB

UNAIDS was the first United Nations programme to have formal civil society representation on its governing body. The position of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) is critical for the effective inclusion of community voices in the key global policy forum for AIDS. Five NGOs, three from developing countries and two from developed countries or countries with economies in transition, represent the perspectives of civil society, including people living with HIV to the UNAIDS board. They can serve for up to three years and have non-voting status. The 5 organisations have one representative each and they are supported by 5 other NGO organisations, which stand as alternate members. The NGO representatives actively seek input from their respective communities on key issues related to UNAIDS policies and programs, and advocate with Members States (governments) and Cosponsoring organizations (the ten United Nations organizations that make up the UNAIDS Joint Programme) for meaningful improvements in the implementation and evaluation of AIDS policies and programmes. NGO delegation to the PCB 2013 Africa: Ms Nadia Rafif, Association de Lutte Contre le Sida (ALCS), Morocco Mr Joel Gustave Nana, African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR), South Africa Asia Pacific: Ms Jane Bruning, Positive Women Incorporated / Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+), New Zealand Mr John M. Rock, International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), Australia Europe: Ms Daria (Dasha) Ocheret, Eurasian Harm Reduction Network, Lithuania Mr Bryan Teixeira, European AIDS Treatment Group, UK Latin America and the Caribbean: Dr Mabel Bianco, Fundación para Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer (FEIM), Argentina Ms Alessandra Nilo, Gestos – HIV+, Communication and Gender, Brazil North America: Ms Ebony Johnson, International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS (ICW), United States Mr Charles King, Housing Works, United States

Burundi to increase access to education and health services to improve its response to AIDS

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Burundi’s President Pierre Nkurunziza said his country is trying to increase access to education and health services as key elements to effectively respond to AIDS in the country. He met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 9 May in Bujumbura, Burundi.