The number of women dying due to complications during pregnancy   and childbirth  has decreased   by 34% from an estimated 546 000 in 1990 to 358 000 in 2008, according to a new report, Trends in maternal mortality, released by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Bank.

Despite this notable progress, the annual rate of decline is less than half of what is needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target of reducing the maternal mortality ratio (the number of deaths per 100,000 live births) by 75% between 1990 and 2015. This will require an annual decline of 5.5%: the current average annual decline of just 2.3%.

"The global reduction in maternal death rates is encouraging news," says Dr Margaret Chan, the Director-General of WHO.”No woman should die due to inadequate access to family planning and to pregnancy and delivery care."

For nations with high HIV prevalence, AIDS has become a leading cause of death during pregnancy and after the birth. There is also some evidence that women living with HIV are at greater risk of maternal death. Overall, it was estimated that there were 42 000 deaths due to AIDS among pregnant women globally in 2008. About half of those are estimated to be maternal. The contribution of HIV was highest in sub-Saharan Africa where 9% of all maternal deaths were AIDS-related.

“Integrating HIV services with maternal and sexual and reproductive health services is imperative to stop mothers from dying and babies from being born with HIV,” said Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. “The AIDS movement must be leveraged to achieve reductions in maternal and child mortality.

According to the report pregnant women die from four major causes: severe bleeding after childbirth, infections, hypertensive disorders, and unsafe abortion. Every day, about 1000 women died due to these complications in 2008, more than half in sub-Saharan Africa. The risk of a woman in a low-income country dying from a pregnancy- related cause during her lifetime is about 35 times greater than a woman living in a high-income country.

"To achieve our global goal of improving maternal health and to save women's lives we need to do more to reach those who are most at risk," says Anthony Lake, Executive Director of UNICEF. "That means reaching women in rural areas and poorer households, women from ethnic minorities and indigenous groups, and women living with HIV and in conflict zones."

The new estimates show that it is possible to prevent many more women dying. Countries need to invest in their health systems and in the quality of care.

"Every birth should be safe and every pregnancy wanted,” says Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Executive Director of UNFPA.The lack of maternal health care violates women's rights to life, health, equality, and non-discrimination.

UN agencies, donors and other partners have increasingly coordinated their assistance to countries, focusing on those with the greatest burden.

According to Tamar Manuelyan Atinc, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank, “Given the weak state of health systems in many countries, we must work closely with governments, aid donors and agencies, and other partners to strengthen these systems.

Participants at the ‘Youth Voices Count’ consultation. Credit: World AIDS Campaign

Young men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender people in Asia and the Pacific region are calling for governments, donors and partners to ‘make youth voices count’ by increasing focus and programming of national HIV responses to include their opinions and needs.

A growing body of data has documented exceptionally high transmission rates among men who have sex with men and transgender people in Asia and the Pacific region.

Men who have sex with men in Asia face nearly one in five odds of being infected with HIV and are estimated to account for roughly half of the national epidemic in many of the small Pacific Islands. In the larger nations of Australia and New Zealand, men who have sex with men is by far the largest transmission category for both HIV prevalence and incidence. Among transgender people, HIV prevalence has been found to range from 10% to 42% in five Asian countries.

Held over three days in Bangkok, Thailand, the group discussed key issues including HIV vulnerability, self-esteem, access to relevant and appropriate services and information, education and human rights abuses of young MSM and transgender people in the region, presenting recommendations for action to international partners.

“Young voices – and particularly ours – have not been heard for the longest time in the AIDS response. It is crucial we become empowered. Now we have a forum where young MSM and transgender can really contribute – this is very important,” said Hender Gercio, a student and HIV activist from the Philippines.

Participants of the ‘Youth Voices Count’ youth MSM and transgender consultation. Credit: World AIDS Campaign

Key areas identified as hindering the involvement of young MSM and transgender in the AIDS response includes stigma and discrimination, lack of resources and support in education and ‘self-issues’.

Recommendations for immediate action by the group included the need to:

• Increase and improve data collection on the needs, challenges and social complexities faced by young MSM and transgender people, particularly those living with HIV.
• Adapt the sexuality education agenda to give full information on sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Conduct qualitative studies/rapid assessments on the self issues of young MSM and transgender people.
• Ensure representation of young MSM and transgenders in sub-regional and regional MSM and transgender networks.
• Encourage training on issues of young MSM and transgender people among health care workers, to reduce stigma and discrimination and increase access to HIV and health services

Empowering young people and MSM and transgender people to protect themselves from HIV infection are central priorities for UNAIDS. MSM and transgender people face violence and discrimination across the world. In some countries they face imprisonment and even the death penalty.

“The consultation represents a timely opportunity to reflect on the struggle that many young MSM and transgender people face in advocating for and taking control of their own health, particularly concerning HIV and sexual health,” said James Gray, Australian Youth Ambassador for Development, working with the UNAIDS Regional Support Team in Bangkok. “This is an important step towards strengthening the response by creating a space for this group to be involved in a meaningful way,” he added.

As a result of the consultation, co-organized by the World AIDS Campaign and Dutch-based NGO Hivos, and supported by UNAIDS, further resources will be made available to support MSM youth groups in the region to ensure this momentum is maintained. The group will continue to share experiences, and will reconvene in 12 months. The full consultation and report summary and recommendations can be requested and downloaded from www.worldaidscampaign.org or www.hivos.nl.

UNICEF highlights alarming evidence of growing disparities in the lives of children across a wide range of indicators

Millions of lives can be saved globally by investing first in the most disadvantaged children, young people and communities, according to new UNICEF data released today. Such an approach would also address the widening disparities that are accompanying progress toward the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The new findings are presented in two publications: Narrowing the Gaps to Meet the Goals and Progress for Children: Achieving the MDGs with Equity, UNICEF’s flagship report.

While great progress is being made in international efforts to meet the MDGs, much more needs to be done over the next five years, UNICEF argues. The nature of the global HIV epidemic tellingly highlights the disparities between the richest and poorest within and across nations, and the consequences of these disparities. For example 20 countries—nearly half of them in sub-Saharan Africa—contribute approximately 90% of the global gap in reaching women with drugs to prevent HIV transmission to their babies according the WHO, UNICEF and UNAIDS report Towards Universal Access: Scaling up priority HIV/AIDS interventions in the health sector (2009).

Additionally, though significant progress has been made in providing antiretroviral therapy to children who need it, almost two thirds of these children in low- and middle- income countries still lack access to treatment. AIDS remains the main cause of death among under-fives in high-prevalence countries [countries have an HIV prevalence of 10% or more].

Part of Millennium Development Goal number 6 is to have halted and begun to reverse the spread of HIV by 2015. According to UNICEF, for this target to be met priority must also be given to reaching young people, particularly adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa. The vast majority of new HIV infections still occur in the region, which accounts for more than 80 percent of young people aged 15-24 living with HIV.

The report states that because national burdens of disease, ill health and illiteracy are concentrated in the most impoverished child populations, providing these children with essential services can greatly accelerate progress towards the MDGs and reduce disparities within nations

“Our findings challenge the traditional thinking that focusing on the poorest and most disadvantaged children is not cost-effective,” said Anthony Lake, UNICEF’s Executive Director. “An equity-focused strategy will yield not only a moral victory – right in principle – but an even more exciting one: right in practice.”

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé addresses the “Access to Life” photo exhibition in Tokyo. 3 September, 2010. Credit: UNAIDS

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé congratulated the Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan on his country’s generosity to the AIDS response. Japan has invested more than US$ 1 billion in HIV assistance to low-and middle-income countries since 2002. Japan is a leading donor of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which was first conceived at the 2000 G8 summit in Okinawa.

In his address at the opening of the “Access to Life” photo exhibition in Tokyo, Prime Minister Kan emphasized the commitment of the Government of Japan to support the global AIDS response at the upcoming Summit for the Millennium Development Goals.

“Infectious diseases are a threat to human security, but progress in treatment has enabled people living with HIV to lead normal lives,” said Prime Minister Kan. “At the MDG Summit, I will do my best to present strong support for the global AIDS response through our support for the Global Fund.”

“Japan’s exemplary commitment to the AIDS response is saving millions of lives around the world,” said Mr Sidibé. “The country’s attention to human security and the value of human life enabled the G8 to keep HIV and global health high on the global agenda.”

The photo exhibition was jointly produced by the Global Fund and Magnum Photos. The Fund’s Executive Director Michel Kazatchkine also attended the launch, which comes just weeks before a crucial replenishment meeting in New York.

“As our fourth largest donor, Japan has been such a strong supporter of the Global Fund” said Mr Kazatchkine. “With the support of the people of Japan, more than five million people now access AIDS treatment in developing countries.”

The meeting with the Prime Minister came on the last day of Mr Sidibé’s first official visit to Japan which included discussions with key Japanese partners in government, public health, civil society and the private sector. In meetings with the Vice Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Hiroyuki Nagahama, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he encouraged Japan to use its global influence to keep HIV high on the international agenda. A discussion with business leaders focused on how the Japanese private sector has enhanced Japan’s contribution to the AIDS response. Mr Sidibé’s also met with Kiyoshi Kodera, the Vice-President of JICA to discuss opportunities to strengthen ties between JICA and UNAIDS. He held another meeting with Koichiro Matsuura, the former Director General of UNESCO, whose leadership was instrumental in supporting the first international guidelines for HIV sexuality education among young people.

Mr Sidibé paid a courtesy visit to Japan Football Association, that endorsed UNAIDS’ campaign, “Give AIDS the red card” and prevent mother to child HIV transmission. The President of the Japan Football Association, Junji Ogura expressed Japan’s interest in using football to raise public awareness on HIV.

The trip included an impromptu meeting with the Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who was in Japan on an official state visit. Prime Minister Zapatero said his country will continue to be very supportive of the global AIDS response.

In a public address at Tokyo University, Mr Sidibé urged Tokyo to become the first G8 capital to reach UNAIDS’ bold target of zero new HIV infections by 2015. Japan has a low national HIV prevalence rate of 0.01-0.02%.

Mr Sidibé paid a site visit to the MSM Community Center AKTA which is located in the heart of Tokyo’s famous Shinjuku district. This night district houses one of the world’s highest concentration of gay bars. The community centre run by the Japanese non-profit Rainbow Ring provides information on safe sex, peer counseling and HIV testing. While Japan’s HIV prevalence remains low, new HIV cases among MSM have been increasing.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and Director-General of Australia’s AID Program (AusAID) Peter Baxter in Canberra. Credit: Australian Department of Health and Ageing

Concluding his first official visit to Australia, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé stressed the need for the international community to mobilize an additional US $10 billion to meet country-set targets for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

Just weeks before the upcoming replenishment meeting of The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Mr Sidibé discussed sustaining and enhancing investments in AIDS with the Director-General of Australia’s AID Program (AusAID) Peter Baxter in the capital Canberra.

“There are currently 10 million people living with HIV who are waiting for life-saving treatment. Unless we close the funding gap, millions of people will be turned away from the promise of universal access,” said Mr. Sidibé during the bilateral.

The Executive Director thanked Mr. Baxter for AusAID’s support to the HIV response, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and its recent commitment to increase funding to UNAIDS by almost US $900 000. However, he also expressed his concerns that after steady and significant increases in HIV investments, other donors might for the first time flat-line or even reduce funding.

In Canberra, Mr. Sidibé also met with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Ageing, Jane Halton, and the Deputy Director-General of the Office of National Assessments, Bruce Miller.

Mr Sidibé’s five-day trip to Australia began in Sydney at the Lowy Institute for International Policy where he spoke on the state of the epidemic and imperatives for reshaping the global AIDS response. In Sydney, he visited the renowned medically supervised injecting centre in Kings Cross, the only such facility in the Southern Hemisphere. He commended the facility’s work, calling it a ''pragmatic, cost-effective'' model to halt HIV transmission and prevent illness and death among the most vulnerable intravenous drug users in New South Wales.

Mr. Sidibé was presented with an award from a coalition of organizations involved in Australia’s HIV response that recognized his personal contribution to overcoming the AIDS response.

Jane Halton PSM, the Secretary of the Australian Department of Health and Ageing, and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé in Canberra. Credit: Australian Department of Health and Ageing

In Melbourne, the Executive Director delivered the keynote address at the 63rd UN DPI/NGO conference. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon opened the health-themed conference with a video message in which he underscored the many gains made in global health, including greater access to HIV treatment. But he cautioned delegates stating “We still have some distance to go. Meeting our commitments on health is central to meeting all of the Millennium Development Goals.”

Following the UN DPI/NGO conference – the largest UN event ever held in Australia – Mr. Sidibé joined the launch of the Michael Kirby Centre for Public Health and Human Rights. This new research centre, which focuses on the link between human rights and public health, is a collaborative venture between scientists, lawyers, medical practitioners and academics at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. Former Justice of the High Court of Australia, Michael Kirby is a renowned human rights expert and was recently appointed to the new Global Commission on HIV and the Law.

Also in Melbourne, Mr. Sidibé met with Australian business leaders at the Asia Pacific Business Coalition on AIDS (APBCA), which is leading the region's private sector response to HIV. He congratulated the business coalition for its engagement and encouraged even greater involvement of Australia’s dynamic private sector in delivering innovative solutions to respond to HIV across the region.

The Executive Director visited the HIV research laboratory of the Burnet Institute, Australia's largest virology and communicable disease research institute. Professor Sharon Lewin showcased the Institute’s cutting-edge research on low-cost laboratory diagnostic tools and the eradication of HIV reservoirs among people living with HIV.

Mr. Sidibé will conclude his Asia-Pacific tour in Japan where he will meet with Japanese Government officials and business leaders in Tokyo.

Over five days, delegates from 112 countries—including 25 000 youth and representatives from government, civil society and the United Nations—shared ideas on young people’s involvement in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The role of young people in improving the state of the world took centre stage at this week’s World Youth Conference in Leon, Mexico. Over five days, delegates from 112 countries—including 25 000 youth and representatives from government, civil society and the United Nations—shared ideas on young people’s involvement in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

With an estimated 40% of new HIV infections occurring among people aged 15-24, a youth-centered approach to the AIDS response will be critical to meet MDG 6—halting and reversing the spread of HIV—and to ensure efforts are sustained in the long term.

In a video message to young delegates, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said that young people had the power to shape a future with zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. “Each of you is a driving force for change and development in your own countries,” he said. “Together you are an incredible movement that is shaping the future of the world.”

Of the 33.4 million people living with HIV worldwide, some 5 million are young people. An estimated 2500 young people become newly infected with HIV each day. The epidemic has taken a particularly devastating toll on the lives of young women, who account for 66% of infections among youth worldwide.

Empowering young people to protect themselves from HIV represents one of UNAIDS’ ten priority areas, with the overall goal of a 30% reduction in new HIV infections by 2015.

At a joint workshop on HIV and young people, UNAIDS and UNFPA introduced a new “business case” outlining successes to date in the HIV response among youth and areas for improvement. Through the workshop, young delegates were invited to offer their perspectives on the relevance and application of the business case at the national level. Evidence-based information and HIV services, including sexual and reproductive health, were highlighted as critical to reducing infection among young people. Many participants voiced concern over reaching young people with effective HIV prevention messages.

“As we are still young and exploring, we may get into risky behaviors,” said Rodriguez Gastelum, a youth participant from Mexico who attended the workshop. “Correct information on HIV is the first step—that will protect us.”

Less than 40% of young men and women have access to accurate knowledge about HIV transmission—far short of the 95% target set in the UNGASS Declaration of Commitment for the year 2010. In developing countries, excluding China, only 30% of young men and 19% of young women benefit from comprehensive information on HIV.

Despite challenges, there are signs of progress. A new study from UNAIDS has reported a more than 25% drop in HIV prevalence among young people in 15 countries heavily affected by the AIDS epidemic.

“Simply put, young people are leading a prevention revolution all over the globe,” said Dr. César Nunez, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Latin America, in a health-focused session at the conference. “The empowerment of young people has led to changes in sexual behavior. Young people are choosing to have sex later, with fewer partners, and they are using condoms.”

Earlier this month, the UN launched the International Year of Youth, an initiative designed to increase youth participation in global development issues and enhance inter-cultural dialogue and understanding across generations. At a launch event in New York City, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged young people across the world to look beyond the borders of their own countries: “Engage with the world. Become a global citizen,” he said. “We are the leaders of today. You are the leaders of tomorrow.”

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé (left) delivered a speech at the Lowy Institute for International Policy as part of its “Distinguished Speaker Series” and met with the Institute’s Executive Director, Dr. Michael Wesley (right). Credit: Lowy Institute

On the first day of a five day visit to Australia, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, commended the country for its role as a key partner in the AIDS response in the Pacific region.

“Australia is helping us move the AIDS agenda forward in the Pacific region. The country understands the HIV epidemic’s regional dynamics,” said Mr. Sidibé. “For example I was just in Papua New Guinea and I saw how Australia’s commitment is bringing results.”

In 2008, Australia provided three-quarters of HIV assistance in the region. This included a US $38 million grant to Papua New Guinea, which is one of the most heavily affected countries by HIV in the region.

On day one of his visit, Mr. Sidibé delivered a speech at the Lowy Institute for International Policy as part of its “Distinguished Speaker Series”. He also met with the Institute’s Executive Director, Dr. Michael Wesley, and the Director of its HIV/AIDS project, Mr. Bill Bowtell.

“Mr. Sidibe’s visit helps us to recommit to the core principles of the Australian response to HIV – the strong partnership between all Australian governments, affected communities and clinicians and researchers to ensure the highest standards of care and treatment for people living with HIV and, above all, sustained prevention education activity directed at young people,” said Mr. Bowtell. “The Australian HIV/AIDS partnership greatly admires and supports Mr, Sidibé’s outstanding leadership and his support for much greater investment in effective HIV prevention activity nationally, regionally and internationally. We must continue to invest in these programmes”.

A recent UNAIDS and Zogby International poll finds that while AIDS may have faded from some countries’ headlines, it is a top health priority for Australians. The survey shows that 89% of Australians say AIDS is one of the most important issues facing the world today. However, only 41.5% felt that AIDS was a problem within their own country.

While Australia has a HIV prevalence of 0.2% among adults (aged 15-49), which is substantially lower than in several European countries and North America, there are groups more at risk of infection. Between 2004 and 2008, men who have sex with men made up 68% of newly diagnosed cases of HIV. Transmission during injecting drug use is responsible for a relatively modest share of new HIV infections, which is linked to the early adoption of evidence-informed harm reduction programmes.

One service that aims to continue to reduce HIV infection among drug users is Sydney’s Medically Supervised Injecting Centre. This pilot project first opened in May 2001 in the city’s Kings Cross district, where drug overdose deaths were concentrated. Mr. Sidibé visited the centre with its Director, Dr. Marianne Jauncey.

“I congratulate the New South Wales Government for this initiative which is a model for the region,” said Mr. Sidibé. “We have sound scientific evidence that shows providing a package of comprehensive harm reduction services to people who inject drugs prevents HIV infection.”

During his trip, Mr. Sidibé will attend the 63rd UN DPI/NGO conference in Melbourne as well as meet with government officials in Canberra.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé (second from left) met with His Excellency the Governor General of PNG, Grand Chief, Sir Paulius Matane (middle) during his official visit to Papua New Guinea. 25-26 August 2010. Credit: Noreen Chambers

Approximately 0.92% of the adult population in Papua New Guinea was living with HIV in 2009, according to new estimates from the National Department of Health and the National AIDS Council Secretariat.

This latest round of estimates of HIV prevalence—carried out by a panel of national and international experts—is based on extensive data from antenatal clinics in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands, Southern, Momase, and New Guinea Islands regions.

In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of health facilities in Papua New Guinea conducting HIV tests among pregnant women—from 17 in 2005 to 178 in 2009. New data collected at these facilities have provided a clearer picture of the country’s HIV prevalence than ever before.

“These new estimates have greatly enhanced our understanding of the scale and scope of Papua New Guinea’s AIDS epidemic,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, in an official visit to Papua New Guinea. “They provide an opportunity to redouble our efforts to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.”

An estimated 34 100 people in Papua New Guinea were living with HIV in 2009. HIV prevalence was found to be the highest in the country’s Highlands and Southern regions, at 1.02% and 1.17%, with lower but increasing prevalence in Momase and New Guinea Islands, at 0.63% and 0.61%. Approximately 3200 people in Papua New Guinea were newly infected with HIV in 2009 and, that same year, some 1300 people died of AIDS.

Papua New Guinea had previously projected a higher national HIV prevalence for the year 2009, based on data from a relatively small number of rural and urban sites. The downward revision in estimates reflects—to a large extent—improvements in national disease surveillance systems. The new findings also indicate that the spread of Papua New Guinea’s HIV epidemic may be levelling off.

“The risk factors that contribute to HIV infection in Papua New Guinea have not changed,” said Mr Sidibé. “We cannot afford to be complacent or reduce investments in the country’s AIDS response.”

The Youth Olympic Games provide an opportunity to highlight the role of young people in promoting HIV prevention. Credit: UNAIDS

AIDS-inspired dance workshops, sports games with an HIV awareness-raising twist and make-your-own plasticine prevention messages were highlight activities coordinated by UNAIDS at the first-ever Youth Olympic Games, as part of the culture and education programme designed to encourage young Olympic athletes to learn more about issues of well-being, healthy lifestyle and social responsibility.

Throughout the proceedings of the Youth Games, held in Singapore from 14 to 26 August, a UNAIDS booth and a series of workshops addressed sexuality and HIV transmission, including myths and misconceptions, through interactive games, peer-to-peer discussion and innovative dance and drama methods.

Hosted in the Olympic village, the activities were accessible to the 3600 participating young athletes aged 14-18 and 1400 team officials. Every day, hundreds of young athletes visited the UNAIDS booth and workshops, with all activities coordinated and delivered by volunteers from UNAIDS event partners Y-PEER from the Philippines, Singapore-based organization BEADS as well as Youth Olympic Games volunteers.

“Despite language barriers, we were able to unite and channel energies of athletes coming from different cultures and backgrounds to talk about HIV and reiterate the need for protection and awareness,” said Y-PEER volunteer Mario Balibago.

While visiting the UNAIDS booth, athletes were encouraged to post updates to the UNAIDS Facebook page. “HIV is a good thing to talk about with the youth and to share… all over the world. Protect yourself and show love for people with HIV,” posted Kernesha Spann, a young 400m runner from Trinidad and Tobago.

The UNAIDS booth also received a number of high-profile visitors including Mr Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, and Mr Wilfried Lemke, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Sport and Development, who both commended the use of innovative formats to reach young people with HIV messages through sport.

The partnership with the Youth Olympic Games is geared towards emphasizing UNAIDS’ priority area of empowering young people to protect themselves against HIV and as part of activities in support of the International Year of Youth, which commenced on 12 August. Following the successful interventions in Singapore, UNAIDS will continue to work with the International Olympic Committee to strengthen the partnership, including exploring the development of a cadre of Youth Athlete Champions for HIV.

“Sport is an incredible channel for getting HIV messages out to young people. As well as the athletes, the volunteers working with us at the booth also became hugely sensitized on HIV issues and wanted to spread the word further,” said Dawn Foderingham, Partnerships Advisor at the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific who coordinated UNAIDS’ participation in the Youth Games. “Young people are champions both on and off the field and their leadership on HIV can have critical impact,” she added.

Asia-Pacific Year of Youth launch roundtable panel. Credit: UNAIDS

HIV and sexual and reproductive health has been identified as a central theme for discussion as part of the International Year of Youth, a United Nations (UN)-led initiative launched this month by the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Under the overarching theme of “dialogue and mutual understanding,” the Year of Youth aims to promote peace, respect for human rights and solidarity across generations through activities that highlight issues of increasing importance for youth—including HIV, the environment, hunger and employment. Young people are encouraged to participate in local and global efforts to achieve internationally-agreed targets, such as the Millennium Development Goals.

With young people aged 15-24 accounting for 40% of all new HIV infections, increased youth engagement in the AIDS response is critical. Empowering young people to protect themselves from HIV is one of ten UNAIDS priority areas, with the overall goal of a 30% reduction in new HIV infections by 2015. UNAIDS has committed to achieving three ‘bold results’ in at least nine of the 17 high-burden countries. These include:

• ensuring at least 80% of young people in and out of school have comprehensive knowledge of HIV;
• doubling young people’s use of condoms;
• doubling young people’s use of HIV testing and counselling services.

Youth in Asia-Pacific call for open dialogue on HIV

UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for China, CCTV presenter and moderator of the Asia-Pacific Year of Youth launch James Chau listens to interventions from young people. Credit: UNAIDS

At the Asia-Pacific launch of the Year of Youth in Bangkok, Thailand, young people from across the region underlined limited access to sex education and HIV-related information as key areas of concern. During the launch event—a roundtable dialogue between youth representatives, heads of UN agencies and government officials, moderated by UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for China and television presenter James Chau—young participants highlighted the need for parents and others to “get outside their comfort zones” in order to better reach youth with information on sex and HIV.

“My parents have talked to me openly about sex and HIV for as long as I can remember,” said Benya, a 14-year-old high school student from Bangkok. “I think this helps me make good choices in my life.”

Young participants emphasized that greater access to evidence-based information on HIV and sexual and reproductive health, through both traditional and new media channels, was critical for youth empowerment on HIV-related issues.

Steve Kraus, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific, underscored that evidence shows that when young people are given accurate information about sex and HIV, they choose to have sex later, with fewer partners and increased use of condoms.

Steve Kraus, Director of the UNAIDS Regional Support Team, underlines that young people are “leading the prevention revolution.” Credit: UNAIDS

“Young people are leading the prevention revolution. Recent data show that HIV prevalence has dropped by 25% among youth in 15 of the highest-burden countries. We have to continue this momentum,” said Mr Kraus. “The International Year of Youth provides a key opportunity for us to massively increase our emphasis on bringing young people to the table and ensuring their voices are heard in the important debates on HIV.”

For the Asia-Pacific region—and across the world—the Year of Youth launches will be followed by a series of targeted activities to showcase youth contributions to development, encourage dialogue and highlight the benefits and significance of youth participation in all aspects of society.