In a strong demonstration of commitment to the global response to HIV and to UNAIDS, the President of Côte d’Ivoire Alassane Ouattara has announced that Côte d’Ivoire will donate US$ 1 million to support UNAIDS work in helping countries to achieve the targets set out in the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS.

"I have decided to donate US$ 1 million to UNAIDS because I believe in a society with zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths," said President Ouattara during the meeting of Côte d’Ivoire’s National AIDS Council.

The contribution was confirmed by the Minister of Health Côte d’Ivoire Raymonde Goudou Coffie who was representing Côte d’Ivoire at UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board meeting in Geneva. "I am delighted to be at the UNAIDS Board and to announce our contribution of US$ 1 million for its essential work and as a sign of shared responsibility," said Ms Coffie.

“This contribution to UNAIDS makes Côte d’Ivoire the first African country to become one of UNAIDS 20 most important donors,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

Côte d’Ivoire joins the Republic of the Congo and Senegal in becoming the first African countries to financially contribute to UNAIDS.

The campaign, ‘Where history is made,’ invites guests to make history and make a pledge for an AIDS-free generation

GENEVA, 16 December 2013—UNAIDS and the hotel InterContinental Genève have come together in a public-private partnership to advance efforts to ensure that all children can be born free from HIV, that their mothers have access to life-saving medicines and that all children living with HIV can lead healthy lives.

Countries have committed to eliminating new HIV infections among children by 2015. Although great progress has been made—with new HIV infections among children having been reduced by 53% since 2001—there is still a major push needed to help countries reach their goals. In 2013, just 28% of children in need of treatment had access.

“By keeping children free from HIV we are not only saving lives, we are investing in a healthier future for generations to come,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “I am honoured that the hotel InterContinental Genève is partnering with us to provide more people with the opportunity to join our efforts in making an AIDS-free generation possible.”  

One of the first initiatives of the joint partnership is the launch of a campaign to raise both awareness and funds for an AIDS-free generation. The campaign, Where history is made, launched at a special event held at the hotel on 16 December, invites guests to make history and a pledge for an AIDS-free generation. Hotel staff will play an integral role with AIDS-awareness training and will be able to share information with guests about the importance of keeping children free from HIV. Hotel guests will be able to join the campaign by making a donation as they check out or when they visit the hotel restaurant or bar.

“The hotel has a longstanding history and relationship with the UN in Geneva, and we are excited to have formed this partnership with UNAIDS,” said the General Manager of the hotel InterContinental Genève, Jürgen Baumhoff.

The hotel InterContinental Genève is an important landmark in Geneva, standing at the intersection of the city and the United Nations. In 2014 the hotel will mark its 50th anniversary over which time it has welcomed world leaders and played host to the historic brokering of deals and forging of partnerships. The campaign between UNAIDS and the hotel InterContinental Genève is part of the hotel’s 50-year celebrations and captures the essence of this major milestone by joining efforts to achieve an AIDS-free generation.  

“Building healthier societies begins with children,” said UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador and internationally acclaimed musician Toumani Diabaté who performed at the special launch event. “We can all be part of history by making sure that women living with HIV and their children have access to HIV, prevention, treatment and care services.”

Report includes new information from 40 funders based outside the U.S. and Europe

WASHINGTON D.C., CAPE TOWN, GENEVA, 10 December 2013—A new report by Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA), supported by UNAIDS, showed that 5.4% or US$ 0.5 billion of total international funding available for HIV in low- and middle-income countries was from philanthropic sources. Globally in 2012, US$ 636 million came from private donors. The report, which was launched today at the FCAA 2013 AIDS Philanthropy Summit and the 17th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa, also shows that philanthropic funding has remained essentially flat (a less than 1% increase) since 2011.

This slight growth is largely due to the addition of 40 funders, new to the report, based outside of the U.S. and Western and Central Europe. Excluding funding from these organizations, philanthropy from U.S.- and E.U.-based organizations decreased by US$33 million, or 5% from 2011. Overall total philanthropic funding has remained at roughly the same level since 2007, and continues to be strongly influenced by the world’s largest HIV/AIDS philanthropic donor, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Gates Foundation). Forecasts in both the U.S. and Europe suggest that private AIDS funding is unlikely to increase in 2013.

“We’re thrilled to highlight the work and impact of 40 new potential partners in the philanthropic response to HIV/AIDS,” said John Barnes, Executive Director, FCAA. “However, the inclusion of these new funding sources in the report masks a troubling decline among U.S.- and E.U.-based organizations. A ‘slow and steady’ approach will not bring the needed resources to bear to meet the current challenges of the AIDS response.”

Other Key Findings:

• Funding from U.S.-based philanthropies totaled US$ 467 million in 2012, decreasing 3% from 2011. Seven top funders – including the Gates Foundation (which represented half of total U.S.-based disbursements), experienced significant decreases (US$ 1m-US$ 18mil) due to reported yearly fluctuations in grantmaking cycles and shifts in funding to other health areas.
• Among E.U-based philanthropies, the 2012 total reached $147 million, decreasing 6% from 2011. This continues a now 3-year gradual decline since 2009. While the majority of E.U.-based funders decreased funding between 2011 and 2012, some of this was the result of yearly fluctuations in the grantmaking cycles, or a strategy review process, rather than a shift away from funding for HIV.
• New for 2013, FCAA conducted research to identify HIV philanthropic funders based outside of the U.S. and the Western and Central Europe. Surveys and additional research generated data from 40 funders in 13 countries, totaling approximately $38 million in AIDS philanthropy in 2012. 

“There is a strong sentiment of global solidarity around advancing the AIDS response to reach an AIDS-free generation,” said Luiz Loures, Deputy Executive Director, Programme, UNAIDS. “UNAIDS continues to urge all partners to look for innovative ways of ensuring increased and sustainable sources of funding to allow us to reach everyone in need with lifesaving HIV services.” 

The report was released amidst news that funding for the AIDS response in low- and middle-income countries from donor governments totaled $7.86 billion in 2012, remaining essentially unchanged since 2008. According to UNAIDS the total resources available for HIV reached US$ 18.9 billion in 2012, $3-5 billion short of what is needed to meet the global target of $22-24 billion. UNAIDS’ Investment Framework to guide more efficient use of resources shows that 4.2 million new HIV infections and 1.9 million HIV-related deaths could be averted, and 15 million people could access HIV treatment, if funding is scaled up to US$ 24 billion by 2015.

While philanthropic aid provided to low- and middle-income countries only represents approximately 5% of all international funding for the AIDS response, FCAA and UNAIDS emphasize that, in its independence, philanthropy has a catalytic role to play in the AIDS response. Philanthropic funding is often committed to addressing critical issues through advocacy and to supporting key populations such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and sex workers, that are often not covered by other sources of funding.

The FCAA annual resource tracking report, produced with support from UNAIDS, intends to inform stakeholders about the overall distribution and trends of global AIDS philanthropy. The financial data is largely sourced from surveys completed by funders, with supplemental review of grants databases and funders’ grants lists. Data was obtained for close to 300 organizations that are believed to represent the substantial majority of global private HIV/AIDS philanthropy.

Download Global Philanthropic Support to Address HIV/AIDS in 2012 at http://www.fcaaids.org/resourcetracking

Delegates from across the world gathered in Cape Town, South Africa on 6 December for the start of the XVII International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA). The five-day conference is being held on a sombre note as the world mourns the death of Nelson Mandela, who is considered Africa’s greatest statesman.

The Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe welcomed participants to his country and paid tribute to Former President Nelson Mandela, saying “We will miss his larger than life figure, his statesmanship, his common touch, contagious humour and unbending resolve to see through a dream of a better life for all humanity.” He then went on to talk about the huge progress made in the AIDS response and said, “Investment in good health should be considered as a development imperative in and of itself.”

The theme of the five-day conference is “Now more than ever: targeting zero” and it was selected to stress the progress that has been made across Africa in scaling up HIV treatment but also the need to redouble efforts to prevent new HIV infections. More than 5 000 representatives of political, multilateral and civil society groups, as well as scientists, young people and activists are attending the conference.

Speakers at the opening ceremony included: UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, the First Lady of Zambia Christine Kaseba-Sata, the celebrated singer and activist and UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, Annie Lennox, the Acting Global AIDS Coordinator of the President’s Emergency Plan for the AIDS Relief, Deborah von Zinkselnagel, Professor Robert Soudré, President of the Society for AIDS in Africa, Professor Ian Sanne, CEO of Right to Care and Cyriaque Ako, Health Specialist for African Men for Sexual Health and Rights (AMSHeR).  

The inauguration ceremony also featured cultural performances by African stars including the first prominent transgender artist from Angola; Titica who is UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador. Earlier, Ms Lennox and Mr Sidibé opened the cultural community village which features information booths, handicrafts made by people living with HIV and community groups.

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UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Annie Lennox is in South Africa to highlight the progress and challenges in the AIDS response. During her site visits, she paid tribute to Former President Nelson Mandela.

Ms Lennox learned about the benefits of early HIV treatment in preventing paediatric AIDS during a visit to the Children’s Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Unit (KID CRU) at the Tygerberg Children’s Hospital. She met with patients and their families and watched a performance by a community group singing a eulogy dedicated to President Mandela.

At the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation Youth Centre in the Masiphumelele community, Ms Lennox witnessed how a safe environment tailored to the needs of young people can change lives. The centre provides youth-friendly health services as well as education and entertainment. Ms Lennox spoke with young mothers about their challenges and dreams and listened to a rousing recording by a group of teenagers.

The field visits were particularly significant and symbolic to Ms Lennox because almost exactly ten years ago she resolved to bring attention to the HIV epidemic after her first very moving encounter with President Mandela.

In her role as UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador, Ms Lennox will attend the 17th International conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) and speak at several high level events. The five day conference, which opens on 7 December, will be attended by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé along with around 7 000 of the world’s leading scientists, policy makers, activists and people living with HIV.

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The significant role that China’s private sector can play in the AIDS response was emphasized during a recent visit to UNAIDS Geneva headquarters by Li Hejun, Chairman of Hanergy Holding Group, a leading multinational clean energy company.

Mr Li, who is also the Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce, was hosted by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 12 November. The two leaders had a wide-ranging discussion about how best to reinforce and extend the involvement of the private sector in an effective response to HIV. They also spoke about the future of global social responsibility.

Hanergy also hosts the China Red Ribbon Foundation. In addition, Mr Li expressed his willingness to actively enhance his company’s commitment to the AIDS response and cooperate with UNAIDS in the field of international health and development.

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A consultation on the future of HIV, health and development took place during the European Development Days held from 27-28 November in Brussels. The consultation was part of the regional dialogues series organized by The UNAIDS and Lancet Commission: Defeating AIDS – Advancing global health.

The main message emerging from the meeting was the need to leverage the experience of the AIDS response as a transformative force for social justice, equity and global health post-2015. Participants stressed the importance of putting marginalized and vulnerable communities at the centre of the HIV responses and integrate HIV, health and human rights in development responses after 2015.

Participants

Moderated by Member of the European Parliament Michael Cashman, the panel comprised Jacquelyne Alesi, Programmes Director, Network of Young People Living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda; Ann-Sofie Nilsson, Director-General for International Development Cooperation, Sweden; Siddharth Chatterjee, Chief Diplomat at the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; MacDonald Sembereka, Special Adviser to the President of Malawi and Baba Gumbala, International HIV/AIDS Alliance. The session was attended by members of parliament from Africa, European development actors, civil society, academics, government representatives and others.

Outcomes

The main issues discussed will be conveyed to the Chairs of the Commission’s three Working Groups, whose final papers will form the recommendation of the UNAIDS-Lancet Commission, to be published in The Lancet in 2014.

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As world leaders gather in the United States to pledge their commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s (Global Fund) replenishment conference, UNAIDS is calling for a successful outcome to ensure that no-one is left behind.

The United States is hosting the important replenishment conference which will secure financing for the Global Fund’s AIDS, TB and malaria programmes from 2014 to 2016. Ahead of the meeting, United States President Barack Obama welcomed global leaders to a special event at the White House in Washington DC.

During the event the President announced that the US has met—and in some cases exceeded—the targets set for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The targets, set in 2011, included ensuring access to antiretroviral therapy for 6 million people living with HIV. President Obama announced that the US is currently supporting 6.7 million people in gaining access to lifesaving treatment.

As the host country, President Obama also called on other world leaders to fully support global efforts to end the AIDS epidemic and stated the US will give US$ 1 to match every US$ 2 pledged to the Global Fund by other donors over the next three years (up to US$ 5 billion). 

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New international day for Zero Discrimination announced

Melbourne, 1 December 2013—On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2013, the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Nobel Peace Prize Winner and UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are launching the #zerodiscrimination campaign calling for a global transformation. The initiative will launch the new Zero Discrimination Day on 1 March 2014, adopting the butterfly as the transformative symbol for zero discrimination.

“I believe in a world where everyone can flower and blossom. We can all make a difference by reaching out and letting people lead a life of dignity irrespective of who they are,” said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. “I invite everyone to Open up, Reach out and end discrimination.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé announced the Zero Discrimination campaign during a World AIDS Day event in Melbourne, Australia.

“As communities and individuals we must continue to take action to reduce transmission of HIV and ensure that people living with HIV can participate fully in the life of the community, free from stigma and discrimination,” said Australia's Minister for Health, the Hon Peter Dutton.

“We recognize that getting to zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS-related deaths will be impossible without striving towards zero discrimination,” said Mr Sidibé. “On Zero Discrimination Day, we will celebrate the rights of everyone to live a full and productive life with dignity”.  

Discrimination can affect people in many ways in their lives.

For the AIDS response, discrimination towards people living with HIV and key populations at higher risk of HIV is a major obstacle to expanding access to HIV services. Country surveys found that 1 in 7 people living with HIV have reportedly been denied access to healthcare and more than 1 in 10 people living with HIV have been refused employment because of their HIV status.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has taped a public service announcement (PSA) with the message “Open up, Reach out. Together we can reach zero discrimination.” Through the PSA, a campaign web page and social media outreach, the campaign asks people around the world to join the conversation and take action.

The initial phase of the initiative will continue until December 10 – International Human Rights Day and will then build momentum in the month leading up to the new Zero Discrimination Day.

In a World AIDS Day statement, H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria announced his Government’s plan to step up the country’s AIDS response with his leadership and commitment. “No Nigerian should be allowed to die of AIDS, they must take charge and take an HIV test,” said President Jonathan.

A new national initiative to test 30 million people for HIV in 2014 was launched at an event held in the Bwari state of Nigeria by the Federal Minister of Health Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu. According to Nigerian government  more than 80% of men and women in Nigeria report to never have been tested for HIV.  The Minister of Health led by example and took an HIV test to kick-start the HIV testing campaign. He was joined by UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Dr Luiz Loures, and the UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Nigeria Dr Bilali Camara who also took the test to mark UNAIDS support to this landmark campaign.

Dr Loures conveyed his assurances of the full support of UNAIDS and  the entire UN family to President Goodluck Jonathan and the Government of Nigeria in the implementation of the Presidential Comprehensive Response Plan to respond to AIDS which was launched earlier this year

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