Advocacy

GENEVA, 11 July 2017—UNAIDS is deeply saddened by the death of Prudence Mabele. Her contribution to the AIDS response began in the early 1990s during her work with the Society of Women and AIDS in Africa. Ms Mabele was more recently the President for the Society of Women Living with HIV and the Deputy Chair of the Civil Society Forum in the South African National AIDS Council. Ms Mabele was tireless in her efforts to amplify the voice of African women living with HIV in regional and global forums.

“Prudence Mabele was a global icon, and an example of living positively with HIV. I cannot think of the AIDS response in South Africa and imagine it without her,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director.

In 1992, Ms Mabele became one of the first women living with HIV in South Africa to disclose her status. Ms Mabele said she disclosed her status because she was tired of the silence and stigma surrounding HIV. She wanted to set a precedent and encourage other women living with HIV to discuss their status with loved ones, to live without shame, to seek treatment and to lead happy and fulfilled lives.

Ms Mabele championed the cause of the greater involvement of people living with HIV. At a time when treatment was just beginning to be available, she was a driving force in addressing issues around stigma and discrimination. Ms Mabele was passionate about the need to organize and support women living with HIV.

She was also a founding member of the Treatment Action Campaign, founder and Executive Director of the Positive Women’s Network (PWN) and a founding member of the Pan African Positive Women’s Network. PWN set out to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV, providing a support network and platform for women to articulate their feelings and needs regarding their HIV status and ultimately to design positive projects for themselves.

Ms Mabele had been a very close friend of UNAIDS for a long time. Ms Mabele collaborated with UNAIDS in raising awareness about women living with HIV and their needs, and graced the cover the UNAIDS flagship publication OUTLOOK. She previously worked as a staff member with the UNAIDS South Africa Country Office and continued to be closely associated with UNAIDS over the years.

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.

Evening hosted by Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York, Caroline Rupert and Ndaba Mandela. Guests paid tribute to the legacy of AIDS activist Dame Elizabeth Taylor and enjoyed star performances by Nico & Vinz and live auction by auctioneer Simon de Pury

BASEL/GENEVA, 13 June 2017—Supporters of UNAIDS attended its annual gala on 12 June, hosted by Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York, Caroline Rupert and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Ndaba Mandela. Held at Design Miami/Basel on the eve of the Art Basel art festival, the guests pledged their support to the work of UNAIDS in increasing access to HIV prevention and treatment services worldwide.

“We have come a very long way in responding to HIV and millions of lives have been saved, but AIDS is not over. Every hour 125 people die of AIDS and 240 people are newly infected with HIV,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “As Dame Elizabeth Taylor said, we must “win for all humanity”. Leave this gala with her sense of urgency, her compassion and commitment. Because together we can reach our dream of ending AIDS.”

The hosts welcomed around 270 international guests from the worlds of art, design, architecture, fashion, film and music. The gala was made possible by Cartier and the hotel InterContinental Geneva, with the support of Design Miami/.

The evening honoured the legacy of longstanding AIDS activist Dame Elizabeth Taylor, whose grandson Quinn Tivey was present at the gala. A special tribute was held in recognition of Dame Elizabeth’s remarkable contributions to improving the lives of people living with HIV.

The evening began with an exclusive vernissage of Design Miami/Basel, showcasing work from some of the world’s most important collectible designers of the 20th and 21st centuries.

After the reception and preview, Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York and Caroline Rupert welcomed the guests. Auctioneer Simon de Pury then opened a live auction, with lots from designers that included Catherine Opie, Cartier, Dustin Yellin, the Haas Brothers and Pierre Jeanneret.

The gala concluded with a special live musical performance by Nico & Vinz, who entertained guests with new releases as well as popular hits, such as Am I Wrong? DJ Bas Ibellini took to the stage for the after-party to close the evening.

Website and social

www.unaids.org

www.designmiami.com

#AIDSisnotover #UNAIDSgala

Instagram: @unaidsglobal

Facebook: facebook.com/UNAIDS

Twitter: twitter.com/unaids

Media contacts

UNAIDS | Sophie Barton-Knott | tel. +41 22 791 1697 | bartonknotts@unaids.org

Camron PR | Hannah Perry | Hannah.Perry@camronpr.com 

Camron PR | Max Tobias | Max.Tobias@camronpr.com 

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.

InterContinental Geneva Hotel

The hotel opened its doors in 1964 and was renovated by world famous designer Tony Chi. Its legendary discretion and security have made it the confidant and caretaker of many events of international importance. The Residence on the top floor is the highest  and most prestigious Suite in Geneva and offers a breathtaking 360° view of the mountains, the lake, the city and its spectacular setting (1'000 sqm). Lying at the heart of the diplomatic district, the hotel turns into a relaxing destination during the summer, featuring the largest outdoor swimming pool in Geneva. In 2013, the hotel and UNAIDS entered into a public–private partnership inviting guests to “make history” and pledge for an AIDS-free generation. www.geneva-intercontinental.com

Design Miami/

Design Miami/ is the global forum for design. Each fair brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world in celebration of design culture and commerce. Occurring alongside the Art Basel fairs in Miami, United States of America, each December and Basel, Switzerland, each June, Design Miami/ has become the premier venue for collecting, exhibiting, discussing and creating collectible design.
www.designmiami.com

Cartier

The Cartier Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to catalyse the Maison Cartier’s philanthropic commitment to improve the livelihoods of the most vulnerable. The foundation focuses on the most excluded and marginalized, in particular women and children living in the world’s least developed regions. Its efforts seek to remove the barriers that prevent people from acting and thriving, enabling them to live a meaningful and fulfilling life in an inclusive, equitable and safe environment. The foundation currently supports 20 partners in 30 developing countries. For additional information, please visit http://www.cartiercharitablefoundation.org/en

Second UNAIDS gala to be hosted by Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York, Caroline Rupert and Ndaba Mandela

Auctioneer Simon de Pury to run the live auction, featuring one-of-a-kind art and design pieces

BASEL/GENEVA, 06 June 2017—UNAIDS, in collaboration with Cartier, the InterContinental Geneva Hotel and Design Miami/, is to host its second fundraising dinner and auction to mark the start of Art Basel and Design Miami/ Basel on Monday, 12 June, in Hall 1 Sud at the Messeplatz. The event aims to raise much needed funds to support UNAIDS’ work in ensuring access to HIV prevention and treatment services worldwide.

There were more than 36 million people living with HIV in 2015. To survive and thrive, everyone living with HIV needs immediate access to treatment, yet only half have access to life-saving medicines and around 40% of people living with HIV don’t even know they have the virus. UNAIDS is working to ensure that people can get tested for HIV and access treatment and care if they test positive.

New HIV infections are still occurring at an alarmingly high rate. Around 2 million people became infected with HIV in 2015. UNAIDS is working hard to reach the populations most affected by HIV and make sure they have the tools to protect themselves against the virus.

THE GALA

The gala will be hosted by Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie of York, Caroline Rupert and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Ndaba Mandela, who will welcome international guests from the worlds of art, design, architecture, fashion, film and music.

The evening will honour the legacy of longstanding AIDS activist Dame Elizabeth Taylor, and include a live auction run by Simon de Pury, with rare and one-of a kind art and design lots from the Haas Brothers, Cartier, Catherine Opie, Dustin Yellin and Pierre Jeanneret.

Beginning with the invitation-only vernissage of Design Miami/ Basel, guests will enjoy a private reception and preview, showcasing work from some of the world’s most important collectible design galleries of the 20th and 21st centuries. Other highlights of the gala include a performance by long-time UNAIDS supporters Nico & Vinz, a silent auction and an after-party hosted by DJ Bas Ibellini.

 “We are pleased that the UNAIDS gala will be returning to Art Basel for the second year,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Last year was a fantastic success and we look forward to using this unique platform to continue our endeavour to make history and end the AIDS epidemic, ensuring that no one is left behind or excluded from life-saving HIV services.”

The event is being generously supported Cartier, the InterContinental Geneva Hotel and Design Miami/. Tickets are available at https://www.universe.com/events/unaids-gala-tickets-5KZTDQ at CHF 750 for an individual ticket, with tables of 10 starting at CHF 7000.

Featured lots include:

1. Catherine Opie— Jewels in Afternoon Light #3 on behalf of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
2. Cartier—bespoke Juste un Clou bracelet specifically designed for UNAIDS
3. Dustin Yellin—Procession from Under the Sea sculpture
4. Haas Brothers— Unique Dick Drake Mini Beast unique piece, in Brown Icelandic sheepskin with cast bronze Large Mouth, Large Erect Dong, and Short Pickle Feet
5. Pierre Jeanneret —“Office” Chair
6. John M. Armleder — DORAYAKI N2, Mirror, iridescent blown glass Limited Edition of 5
7. InterContinental — The InterContinental European Experience
8. Sam Orlando Miller — Untitled Mirror 1 (Sky Blue)
9. FOS — Street Lamp

For media information and press registration please contact

Camron PR

Hannah Perry / Hannah.Perry@camronpr.com 

Max Tobias / Max.Tobias@camronpr.com 

Website and social

www.unaids.org

www.designmiami.com

#AIDSisnotover #UNAIDSgala

Instagram: @unaidsglobal 

Facebook: facebook.com/UNAIDS

Twitter: twitter.com/unaids

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.

Cartier

The Cartier Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to catalyse the Maison Cartier’s philanthropic commitment to improve the livelihoods of the most vulnerable. The foundation focuses on the most excluded and marginalized, in particular women and children living in the world’s least developed regions. Its efforts seek to remove the barriers that prevent people from acting and thriving, enabling them to live a meaningful and fulfilling life in an inclusive, equitable and safe environment. The foundation currently supports 20 partners in 30 developing countries. For additional information, please visit http://www.cartiercharitablefoundation.org/en

InterContinental Geneva Hotel

The hotel opened its doors in 1964 and was renovated by world famous designer Tony Chi.

Its legendary discretion and security have made it the confidant and caretaker of many events of international importance. The Residence on the top floor is the highest  and most prestigious Suite in Geneva and offers a breathtaking 360° view of the mountains, the lake, the city and its spectacular setting (1'000 sqm). Lying at the heart of the diplomatic district, the hotel turns into a relaxing destination during the summer, featuring the largest outdoor swimming pool in Geneva. In 2013, the hotel and UNAIDS entered into a public–private partnership inviting guests to “make history” and pledge for an AIDS-free generation. www.geneva-intercontinental.com

Design Miami/

Design Miami/ is the global forum for design. Each fair brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics from around the world in celebration of design culture and commerce. Occurring alongside the Art Basel fairs in Miami, United States of America, each December and Basel, Switzerland, each June, Design Miami/ has become the premier venue for collecting, exhibiting, discussing and creating collectible design. For more information, please visit www.designmiami.com

Production

Josh Wood Productions

UNAIDS has appointed the singer and television presenter Lulu Haangala Wood as a Goodwill Ambassador for Zambia.

Ms Haangala Wood will focus on awareness-raising on HIV prevention and on access to increasing access to treatment by young people and members of key populations. She will use her influence to reach young people and women and will work towards ensuring that no one is left behind in the AIDS response in the country.

Ms Haangala Wood is a passionate advocate for equal rights and women’s empowerment. In 2008, she started the #WeKeepMoving Foundation to work with adolescents and young women and support them with career development. 

UNAIDS, in collaboration with Cartier, the hotel InterContinental Geneva and Design Miami, is organizing a fundraising gala to take place on 12 June, during Art Basel week in Basel, Switzerland.

The gala will aim to raise funds to increase access to HIV prevention and treatment services for women and children worldwide. The event will be hosted by HRH Princess Eugenie of York, Caroline Rupert and Ndaba Mandela.

This year’s gala will feature a live performance and an exclusive design auction boasting one-of-a-kind contributions by the world’s best designers. It will be led and curated by Simon de Pury and Design Miami, who have enlisted a roll call of who’s who in the design world in support of UNAIDS.

Tickets to participate can be purchased here.

In 2016, the UNAIDS gala raised critical funds to stop new HIV infections among children through donations from people in attendance, a live auction and a silent auction. Last year’s supporters included Keanu Reeves, Michael Chow, Francisco Costa, Wade Guyton, Lenny Kravitz, Doutzen Kroes, Jude Law, Vik Muniz, Behati Prinsloo, Aby Rosen, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Patrick Stewart, Charlize Theron, Francesco Vezzoli and Naomi Watts.

UNAIDS GALA 2017

Monday, 12 June 2017
Basel, Switzerland, during Art Basel week

Hosts

HRH Princess Eugenie of York 
Caroline Rupert 
Ndaba Mandela

Master of Ceremonies

James Chau

Auctioneer

Simon de Pury

After-Party

Music by DJ Bas Ibellini

Time
19:30: exclusive Design Miami vernissage exhibition, cocktails and red carpet
21:00: dinner, design auction and special musical performance
22:30: after-party

Location
Halle 1.2, Messe Basel, Switzerland

Made Possible by

Cartier

With the support of

Design Miami

In partnership with

InterContinental Geneva

TABLES/TICKETS
Click here to purchase tickets online

CONTACT FOR EVENT INFORMATION, TICKETS AND TABLE INQUIRIES
+1 646 652 5814 or events@UNAIDS.org

UNAIDS and the Chinese media group StarTimes have signed a two-year memorandum of understanding to raise awareness about HIV in Africa and to work together to end the AIDS epidemic. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and StarTimes’ President Pang Xinxing sealed the partnership during a meeting in Beijing, China, on 12 May.

Mr Sidibé thanked StarTimes for promoting cultural exchange between China and Africa. He said he believes strongly that the Chinese broadcaster plays a key role in reaching people, particularly in Africa.

During World AIDS Day 2016, two UNAIDS videos played on StarTimes’ African network in 30 countries, reaching millions of people in English, French and local languages.

The videos promoted the life-cycle approach to HIV prevention, which involves finding HIV solutions for everyone, at every stage of life.

Mr Pang reiterated StarTimes’ commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic. He said that StarTimes will use satellite technology to improve access to television throughout Africa.

StarTimes has agreed to provide media support and global outreach during UNAIDS campaigns, notably World AIDS Day 2017 and Zero Discrimination Day 2018. 

UNAIDS has appointed Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015, as a Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific. The announcement was made at a special event with students at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, Philippines.

“I am very happy to be a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific,” said Ms Wurtzbach. “I’m overwhelmed. It’s been a dream of mine to work with the United Nations. I will do my best. I will use my voice for this cause.”

In her new role, Ms Wurtzbach will raise HIV awareness among young people and promote zero discrimination towards people living with HIV and key populations, including men who have sex with men and transgender people.

“Many young people still do not have the skills and knowledge to protect themselves from HIV,” said Steve Kraus, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific. “With her huge popularity among young fans and immense following on social media, Ms Wurtzbach will amplify our efforts and help end the AIDS epidemic in the region.”

Ms Wurtzbach has been actively involved in humanitarian affairs, speaking out against cyberbullying and supporting people living with HIV, as well as the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community. During her reign as Miss Universe, she had an HIV test in front of cameras to encourage people to know their HIV status, and attended the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS in New York, United States of America.

The appointment event was attended by young people from different universities in the Metro Manila area, as well as representatives of the United Nations, government officials, the media and the Act!2030 Philippines network and other community groups representing young people and key populations.

The Asia and Pacific region has made progress in its HIV response, with new infections dropping by 5% among people of all ages between 2010 and 2015. However, in 2015, young people accounted for 37% of new HIV infections and data analysis indicates that there is a significant epidemic of HIV among an increasingly younger group of gay men and other men who have sex with men in urban areas of South-East Asia and China.

Surveys conducted in eight countries in Asia found that comprehensive knowledge of HIV among young people is low, increasing their vulnerability to HIV. UNAIDS and its partners are conducting an HIV awareness campaign for youth on social media with the hashtag #Live2LUV and Ms Wurtzbach will be helping to promote this campaign as part of her new advocacy role.

An exhibition at the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva, Switzerland, traces the AIDS response through posters and art from around the world over the past 30 years. The Fight against AIDS in Images explores the evolution of how HIV has been portrayed in campaigns encompassing sexuality, politics, stigma and HIV prevention—from using an image of a skull to the red ribbon, from depicting HIV as a death sentence to showing people living positively with HIV and from spreading fear to using humour.

“The point of our exhibition is not the disease itself, but all the communication materials around it,” said the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum Director, Roger Mayou. “The many posters are a true mirror of society through the ages.”

The exhibition begins with Nan Goldin photographs from the mid-1980s as part of the first thematic, Other People’s Disease, highlighting how HIV was seen at the time to be concentrated among key populations.

The second theme, Silence is Broken, highlights how civil society and public figures raised their voices to address HIV. The iconic image of the pink triangle with the saying “Silence = Death” dates back to 1987 and was a part of the New York AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) campaign.

Next comes AIDS and the Media. The death in 1990 of an American boy named Ryan White, who was infected with HIV by contaminated blood, crystallized the fact that the virus can affect anyone. More women and heterosexual couples appeared on posters and many countries crafted messages for national campaigns, as shown by the German posters from 1990 that emphasize “Don’t give AIDS a chance”.

The Virus, the second to last theme, focuses on explaining the science behind AIDS. A rendition of a normal T-cell and an HIV-infected T-cell by the Cancer Institute in 1991 has the slogan “Visualize this”. An Algerian World AIDS Day poster from 1994 likens the virus to mines floating in the ocean with a tagline “Protect the family”.

The last theme, Living Together, introduces the fact that, with the advent of antiretroviral medicines in 1996, HIV need not be fatal. As a result, the Swiss Stop Sida (End AIDS) campaign began to incorporate a “Love life” message on their posters in 2005. A black and white UNAIDS World AIDS Day poster shows a close-up of a man with the tagline “I am accepted”—part of the I am Living My Rights campaign stressing the normality of living life as an HIV-positive person.

“HIV has become invisible, a fatigue has almost set in,” Alexandra Calmy from the HIV unit at the Geneva University Hospitals said. “And yet 2.1 million people are infected with HIV every year, so it is important to talk about AIDS, and this exhibition does just that.”

UNAIDS is working with countries towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

I am writing this in memory of my colleague and dear friend Alan Silverman, a retired UNAIDS staff member and leader in the AIDS response.

Alan was one of the driving forces who created UNCARES, a groundbreaking programme to inform United Nations (UN) staff about HIV and to provide education and prevention services. UNCARES also links staff to HIV testing and to treatment if they were living with HIV.

One the goals of the programme is to ensure that staff have a better understanding of HIV and the stigma and discrimination that exists. It also teaches people how to be part of the solutions to ensure all people living with and affected by HIV can live with dignity.

Before Alan retired, he was part of a taskforce that created materials to train UN staff about issues facing key populations including men who have sex with men, LGBTI, sex workers and people who use drugs.

Alan was always trying to make the world a better place. I will miss him. He was such an incredible friend. Words can't describe the huge amount of good he did in the world, for so many of us. 

NOTE: Eric Sawyer is a retired UNAIDS staff member and pioneering AIDS activist. 

The AIDS response in Africa has come a long way and the continent is seeing results in many areas, including the dramatic reduction in the number of babies being born with HIV and an equally dramatic increase in access to HIV treatment. Nevertheless, inequalities in access to health, especially for key populations and adolescent girls and young women, remain a major barrier to ending AIDS as a public health threat in Africa by 2030.

These issues were the focus of a high-level dialogue between the Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation in Africa, a distinguished group of former presidents and influential African leaders, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and civil society representatives in Pretoria, South Africa, on 30 March.

The Royal Commonwealth Society, which promotes the values of the Commonwealth of Nations, has found that 41 of its 53 member states criminalize consensual same-sex relationships in some way. Across these member states, many of which are in Africa, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people face high levels of discrimination, harassment and violence in their everyday lives. 

Adolescent girls face a higher risk of HIV infection, with those in the age group 15–19 being the only age group for which AIDS-related deaths are increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015, an estimated 64% of all adolescents aged 15–19 years living with HIV in the region in 2015 were girls.

Participants in the dialogue made it clear that removing barriers that are holding back progress in the AIDS response, such as punitive laws, prosecutions, policies and practices that block access to HIV services, is critical to reaching the people being left behind.

The round-table dialogue was convened by the Champions, the Royal Commonwealth Society, Access Chapter 2, the Kaleidoscope Trust and the African Think Tank on HIV, Health and Social Justice. It is one of the advocacy mechanisms and platforms that these partners will use to respond to these complex issues.