December

To protect everyone’s health, protect everyone’s rights

UNAIDS Statement on the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

10 December 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

To end AIDS in Africa, UNAIDS urges governments and partners to ramp up the response to HIV

Africa can end AIDS as a public threat, but to do so governments and international partners need to increase actions to reach everyone in need. Actions include accelerating treatment for children living with HIV and HIV prevention for adolescent girls, young women and key populations. Governments also need to support communities’ vital leadership role in the HIV response. This was the message from UNAIDS as the 22nd International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) drew to a close.

09 December 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Executive Director of UNAIDS awarded ‘Most outspoken Ally of the Year’ for her work supporting the rights of marginalized communities

The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima has been recognized as the ‘Most Outspoken Ally of the Year’ by Global Black Gay Men Connect for her extensive work advocating for the rights and well-being of marginalized communities. The announcement was made at the African Men Health and Rights award ceremony which took place today during the 22nd International Conference on AIDS and STIs.

08 December 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Australian Government enters new partnership with UNAIDS to let communities lead in ending AIDS in Asia Pacific

As part of its ongoing support for ending AIDS in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, the Australian Government is investing up to AU$12 million in a new partnership supported by UNAIDS and Health Equity Matters. The funding will help local communities and governments in the region improve HIV prevention, testing and treatment while reducing stigma and discrimination.

05 December 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS calls for accelerated political and financial support for communities to lead in the response to HIV

The world can end AIDS as a public health threat if communities on the frontlines of the HIV response are fully engaged and supported to do their work. This was the important message UNAIDS brought today to the opening of the 22nd International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA), which is being held in Harare, Zimbabwe from 4-9 December 2023.

04 December 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Members of United States Congress and global leaders commemorate World AIDS Day in Washington D.C.

UNAIDS hosts bipartisan event on Capitol Hill to highlight the importance of global HIV partnerships and call for the reauthorization of PEPFAR to maintain its life-saving work

01 December 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

On World AIDS Day, UNAIDS, the European Union and partners call for an end to HIV-related stigma and discrimination

On World AIDS Day, UNAIDS, Spain, as President of the Council of the European Union, and other partners called for the elimination of all HIV-related stigma and discrimination as a necessary step towards ending the AIDS pandemic as a global public health threat by 2030.

01 December 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

November

Ahead of World AIDS Day UNAIDS is calling for urgent support to Let Communities Lead in the fight to end AIDS

A new report by UNAIDS demonstrates the critical role communities play, and how underfunding and harmful barriers are holding back their lifesaving work and obstructing the end of AIDS. As World AIDS Day (1 December) approaches, UNAIDS is urging governments across the world to unleash the power of grassroots communities across the world to lead the fight to end AIDS. A new report launched today by UNAIDS, Let Communities Lead, shows that AIDS can be ended as a public health threat by 2030, but only if communities on the frontlines get the full support they need from governments and donors.

30 November 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS welcomes new research on ‘opt-out’ HIV testing in England

HIV opt-out testing will consolidate the gains towards HIV epidemic control in the UK

29 November 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UN Secretary-General's message on World AIDS Day 2023

Message from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the occasion of World AIDS Day 2023

27 November 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Invest in women and girls: Let communities lead

UNAIDS Statement on the International Day to End Violence Against Women and the Launch of 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence: Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls

24 November 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

October

UNAIDS welcomes new decision in Colombia allowing more affordable access to quality HIV medicines

Colombia makes landmark decision to declare the HIV medicine dolutegravir of public interest, allowing the country to purchase or manufacture more affordable, generic versions of the HIV medicine

04 October 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

The United Nations welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision to decriminalize same sex relations in Mauritius

The United Nations in Mauritius—which includes UNAIDS, UNFPA, OHCHR, UNDP and WHO—welcome today’s ruling by the Supreme Court of Mauritius that a discriminatory law criminalizing consensual same sex relations is unconstitutional and will be immediately struck from the legal code. Previously, under Section 250 of the Mauritian Criminal Code (which dated back to 1898) anyone convicted could have faced up to five years in prison.

04 October 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

September

UNAIDS’ key takeaways from the 78th United Nations General Assembly

The topic of the global AIDS response—including its successes and invaluable lessons for handling pandemics—permeated many discussions during last week’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. From three High-Level meetings on health, to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit to remarks given to the General Assembly and at High-Level Side events, the lessons from 40 years of responding to HIV—including the principle of leaving no one behind—were repeatedly referenced in the context of a future of health and equality for all.

29 September 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS appoints the First Lady Neo Jane Masisi as a champion for adolescent girls and young women

UNAIDS has designated the First Lady of Botswana, Neo Jane Masisi, as a UNAIDS champion for the empowerment and engagement of adolescent girls and young women. UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, confirmed the appointment during a meeting with Mrs Masisi during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

21 September 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

The path that ends AIDS by 2030 will boost progress towards achieving many other Sustainable Development Goals

UNAIDS, the Governments of Botswana and the United States of America, together with the European Commission have joined global partners to urge world leaders to get on the path that ends AIDS. This, they say, will also accelerate progress to reach many other of the Sustainable Development Goals.

20 September 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS appoints the First Lady of Sierra Leone as a champion for adolescent girls and young women

UNAIDS has named the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, as a UNAIDS champion for the empowerment and engagement of adolescent girls and young women in Sierra Leone. UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, confirmed the appointment during a meeting with Mrs Maada Bio and her husband President Julius Maada Bio at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly taking place in New York.

19 September 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

August

UNAIDS welcomes the launch of the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State

UNAIDS welcomes the launch of the new U.S. Bureau for Global Health Security and Diplomacy which aims to strengthen the global health security architecture to effectively prevent, detect, control, and respond to infectious diseases, including HIV. 

02 August 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

July

Pandemic Accord: UNAIDS offers lessons from the AIDS pandemic on Bureau’s text

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) offers lessons learnt from the AIDS pandemic to strengthen and sharpen the bureau text of the Pandemic Accord to ensure a truly robust response to current pandemics, and to prevent, prepare for and respond to pandemics of the future.

24 July 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

A call to action to save SDG10: reduce inequalities

The Centre for International Cooperation at the University of New York, Development Finance International, Oxfam and UNAIDS are calling for urgent action to save Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequality.

18 July 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    Download PDF

New report from UNAIDS shows that AIDS can be ended by 2030 and outlines the path to get there

A new report released today by UNAIDS shows that there is a clear path that ends AIDS. This path will also help prepare for and tackle future pandemics and advance progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The report, ‘The Path that Ends AIDS’, contains data and case studies which highlight that ending AIDS is a political and financial choice, and that the countries and leaders who are already following the path are achieving extraordinary results.

13 July 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

June

UNAIDS Board closes with commitment to resource the HIV response and tackle the inequalities holding back progress

The 52nd meeting of UNAIDS’ Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) concluded today in Geneva, Switzerland with Board members showing strong support to fully fund the Joint Programme and a commitment to overcome the barriers to ending AIDS by 2030.

28 June 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

PEPFAR, Global Fund and UNAIDS leaders visit Mozambique in support of a sustainable HIV/AIDS response

Ambassador Dr. John N. Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, visited Maputo June 14-16. Ambassador Nkengasong was accompanied by UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, who leads the United Nations’ efforts to end the AIDS pandemic by 2030, and Head of Grant Management at the Global Fund Mark Edington. This historic joint visit, the first time that these three organization leaders visited Mozambique together, underscores the strong commitment to combat HIV/AIDS over the past 20 years as well as the critical importance of a sustainable HIV/AIDS response.

16 June 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Executive Director of UNAIDS receives prestigious award for activism

The Executive Director of UNAIDS Winnie Byanyima has been presented with the prestigious Amsterdam Dinner Award 2023 for her activism and work to end stigma and discrimination around HIV. The annual Amsterdam Dinner, initiated in 1992, is the Netherlands largest fundraising event for HIV and has raised millions of euros to support HIV projects around the world.

13 June 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS welcomes announcement by Colombian government that will enable people access to the most appropriate HIV treatment for them

UNAIDS welcomes the issuance of Resolution 881 of 2023 by the Ministry of Health of Colombia, which initiates the administrative procedure to evaluate the existence of reasons of public interest for issuing a compulsory license for dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimens. According to the ministerial resolution, the impact of this measure could mean a significant reduction of more than 80% of DTG’s price.

12 June 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Brazil hosts the announcement of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics

UNAIDS launching group to generate evidence on the inequalities driving pandemics and advocate for the adoption of multisectoral approaches to strengthen the response to AIDS and other pandemics

06 June 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

May

UNAIDS celebrates Pride Month and calls for decriminalization of same-sex relationships

As the world comes together to celebrate Pride Month, UNAIDS stands in solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) communities around the globe.

31 May 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Joint Statement by the Leaders of the Global Fund, UNAIDS and PEPFAR on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are deeply concerned about the harmful impact of the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023 on the health of its citizens and its impact on the AIDS response that has been so successful up to now.

29 May 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS alerts countries to an unprecedented opportunity to stop new HIV infections, end AIDS and prepare for future pandemics

UNAIDS urges countries to take full advantage of new opportunities to step up funding, expand new and proven HIV prevention technologies and remove barriers to HIV services. Taking action today will boost progress to end AIDS and respond to current pandemics and pandemics of the future.   

24 May 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS urges all countries to decriminalise homosexuality as a vital step in ensuring health for all

Around the world, 67 countries still criminalise same sex relations, with 10 imposing the death penalty. 20 countries criminalise gender diversity. Such laws hurt the public health of everyone, costing lives. Public health and human rights go hand in hand.

17 May 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS calls for access to HIV prevention, treatment and care in prisons, including access to life saving harm reduction services

Harm reduction policies and practices help people who are using drugs to stay alive and protect them from HIV and Hepatitis C

07 May 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Uganda’s new Anti-Homosexuality Bill would harm public health

​Responding to the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill by the Ugandan Parliament, UNAIDS has warned that its passing into law would undermine Uganda’s efforts to end AIDS by 2030, by violating fundamental human rights including the right to health and the very right to life.  

03 May 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

April

UNAIDS welcomes the decriminalisation of same-sex relations by the Cook Islands parliament

UNAIDS applauds today’s decision by Cook Islands lawmakers to remove laws prohibiting consensual sexual acts between men from the Crimes Act. By decriminalising sex between same-sex partners, the Pacific nation joins a global movement toward affirming the human rights to non-discrimination and privacy.

15 April 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

A Triple Dividend: Fully financing the HIV response in Africa

Fully financing the HIV response to get back on track to achieve the 2030 goals will produce substantial health, social and economic gains in African countries. These findings are highlighted in a new report, A Triple Dividend: The health, social and economic gains from financing the HIV response in Africa

12 April 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

New UNAIDS Collaborating Center at Georgetown leverages strengths in HIV/AIDS law, policy and politics

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today designated the Global Health Policy and Politics Initiative at Georgetown as a United Nations Collaborating Center to support and advance policy and laws impacting HIV/AIDS with the overarching goal of addressing the inequalities driving the pandemic.

12 April 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

March

UNAIDS welcomes the announcement by Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and ViiV of three licenses signed with generic manufacturers for long-acting PrEP, and urges further urgent action by ViiV

UNAIDS welcomes the announcement by Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) and ViiV of three licenses signed with generic manufacturers Aurobindo, Cipla and Viatris for long-acting Cabotegravir for PrEP (Pre-exposure prophylaxis.) PrEP reduces risk of HIV transmission from sex or injecting drug use. UNAIDS also called for urgent action by ViiV to be taken to reduce the price and increase the production of CAB-LA now.

31 March 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS Executive Director Message on World TB Day – Yes, we shall and we can end TB among people living with HIV!

Today, on World TB Day, we must recognize the urgent need to end the TB epidemic around the world, especially among people living with HIV.

24 March 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS urges the Government of Uganda to not enact harmful law that threatens public health

Responding to the passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill by the Ugandan Parliament, UNAIDS has warned that, if the Bill is enacted into law, it will have extremely damaging consequences for public health, by curtailing the human rights of people living with HIV and some of the most vulnerable people of Uganda to access life-saving services.

22 March 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

February

On Zero Discrimination Day, countries urged to decriminalise to save lives

On Zero Discrimination Day, commemorated on March 1, UNAIDS highlights the need to remove laws that criminalize people living with HIV and key populations.

28 February 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

One year on: We must sustain the HIV response in Ukraine

One year on, the war in Ukraine continues to inflict massive suffering and destruction. Since the start of the war on 24 February 2022, more than 13.5 million people have been internally displaced or forced to flee to neighboring countries as refugees, including people living with HIV and key populations.

23 February 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

African leaders pledge new commitments to end AIDS

African leaders and partners have joined together at a high-level event on the side-lines of the 36th Session of the African Union to commit to a set of actions to boost progress towards ending AIDS. The event, Health Financing and Sustaining Action to End AIDS and Related Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, was co-hosted by the African Union, NEPAD, UNAIDS and PEPFAR

20 February 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

African leaders unite in pledge to end AIDS in children

Ministers and representatives from twelve African countries have committed themselves, and laid out their plans, to end AIDS in children by 2030. International partners have set out how they would support countries in delivering on those plans, which were issued at the first ministerial meeting of the Global Alliance to end AIDS in children.

01 February 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top

January

United Nations Under-Secretary-General calls on leaders to address the debt crisis that is crushing developing countries

The Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Winnie Byanyima is calling on world leaders to address the unsustainable external debt service burdens of developing countries which are widening inequalities and undermining the health and livelihoods of millions of people.

27 January 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

The end of the Mosaico vaccine trial must be a spur to deliver HIV treatment and prevention options to all who need them says UNAIDS

The end of the Mosaico HIV vaccine trial must lead to a continued drive to innovate as well as an urgency to ensure that proven HIV prevention and treatment options reach all who need them, says UNAIDS. Rapid progress against the HIV pandemic is possible if existing prevention and treatment options are made available through the sharing of technologies, expanding provision, and tackling barriers to access. The development, and sharing, of long-acting prevention and treatment options are also important to expand coverage.

23 January 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

UNAIDS welcomes the announcement that Spain will be making a new € 1 million contribution to UNAIDS

Spain’s Ministry of Health has officially announced € 1 million to support UNAIDS’ work on ending AIDS by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

06 January 2023   |   Email this link to me   |    

Return to top