All In initiative for adolescents

Adolescents are being left behind in the global AIDS response. HIV is the number one contributor to adolescent mortality in sub-Saharan African and number two globally. Adolescents often lack access to proven, life-saving services, such as HIV treatment. To address this situation, a meeting was held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 3 to 5 December to design a strategy to address the challenges that adolescents face.

The global strategy consultation brought together around 50 activists from youth networks, governments, implementers, donors and UNAIDS cosponsors, all committed to making real progress through improving programmes, driving innovation and amplifying advocacy.

The participants took stock of ongoing efforts and reviewed a results framework to create accountability towards, and track progress for, the often neglected population. They looked at establishing milestones to measure progress and at what can be done to accelerate change for adolescents using innovative approaches and improved data. Critically, there was consensus among all partners that much more needs to be done to tap the inherent potential of adolescents and young people for progressive social change.

An action plan was developed outlining catalytic efforts in which partners could join to deliver results. Partners will now work together to finalize the All In agenda, which will be launched in February 2015.

The consultation was convened by UNAIDS and the United Nations Children’s Fund. The United Nations Population Fund and the World Health Organization were co-convenors, in collaboration with youth networks and other core members of the All In Leadership Group: the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation.

Global leaders have committed to take action towards ending the AIDS epidemic among adolescents. At a meeting during the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly, co-hosted by UNICEF, UNAIDS and the Governments of Brazil and Kenya, representatives from countries across six regions came together to join a growing movement to advance the response to HIV among adolescents.

During the meeting, participants pledged their support to All In, a joint initiative between UNICEF, UNAIDS and partners to reduce new HIV infections among adolescents by at least 75% and increase HIV treatment to reach at least 80% of adolescents living with the virus. The initiative outlines that the targets can be achieved through providing HIV prevention, testing, treatment, care and social change programmes that focus on the specific needs of adolescents living with, or at higher risk of acquiring, HIV.

A global movement to advance efforts towards ending the AIDS epidemic among adolescents is urgently needed as this is the only age group among which AIDS-related deaths are actually increasing. AIDS-related illnesses are the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 10–19 years globally, and the leading cause of death among adolescents in Africa.

In 2013, there were an estimated 2.1 million adolescents living with HIV, more than 80% of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. Many still do not know their status. Almost two thirds of the 250 000 new infections among 15–19 year olds in 2013 were among adolescent girls.

During the event, speakers, including young people living with HIV, called on leaders to reflect on their current efforts to prevent the spread of HIV among adolescents, and to invest more in the most effective interventions. Government representatives from around the world, including Botswana, Brazil, Thailand and Ukraine, pledged their commitment to go All In for adolescents.

The formal launch of All In is scheduled for early 2015.

Adolescents aged 10–19 are among the people most neglected by the HIV response, yet AIDS is the second biggest contributor to adolescent death globally and the main contributor in sub-Saharan Africa. During a satellite session at the 20th International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, Australia, adolescents and young people, high-level government officials, donors, researchers and youth service providers explored ambitious but effective ways of better protecting this key group.

At the 20 July session, called Ending the Epidemic in Adolescents, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé announced a joint UNAIDS/UNICEF initiative entitled All In. The initiative aims to ensure that adolescents infected and affected by HIV are not left behind. It is intended to become a global movement to close the prevention and treatment gap and will be concentrated in 25 countries that represent 90% of AIDS-related deaths and 85% of new infections among adolescents.

To ensure that the movement is built from the grass roots and shaped by the meaningful involvement of the focused group, Mr Sidibé asked adolescents and young people to engage and help shape the way forward for All In.

The satellite session provided an opportunity to exchange information and ideas, with presentations of the latest data on the epidemic among adolescents, which show that comprehensive knowledge about the virus, condom use, HIV testing and treatment coverage are still low in most countries. Young people living with and affected by HIV also shared their experiences and challenged assembled government and United Nations officials to do more for the AIDS response.

In addition, highlights of a Youth Action Plan, developed at this year’s youth preconference event held on 18 and 19 July, were discussed. The plan is designed to ensure that young people are at the centre of the global movement to step up AIDS advocacy, policy and treatment.