2009 marks the 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day. Every year, on the first of December the world comes together to commemorate those who have died and to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic.

This year’s theme “Human Rights and Universal Access” addresses the critical need to protect human rights and ensure universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The day is also a call to countries to remove laws that discriminate against people living with HIV, women and marginalized groups. A series of events are planned globally to mark the Day.

World AIDS Day statements

Every year UN agencies, governments and all sectors of civil society worldwide join together to campaign around specific themes related to AIDS.

Read World AIDS Day statements

International Labour Organization marks World AIDS Day

1 December 2009

About one hundred officials gathered today to form a human red ribbon to commemorate and celebrate World AIDS Day at the International Labour Organization (ILO) headquarters in Geneva on 1 December.

Read more

UNHCR chief pledges to keep AIDS response a priority

1 December 2009

As the world marked World Aids Day on Tuesday, UNHCR’s chief, António Guterres, noted that the UN Refugee Agency had expanded its global HIV and AIDS interventions. Guterres, while reiterating his personal commitment to keeping AIDS a priority for UNHCR, also stressed that his agency would continue to advocate for the abolishment of laws discriminating against those with HIV.

Read more

Michel Sidibé calls for mass prevention movement at World AIDS Day commemoration in Pretoria

1 December 2009

To mark World AIDS Day, UNAIDS Executive Director Mr Michel Sidibé joined President Jacob Zuma and South Africans in their national commemoration in Pretoria where he called for the forging of a mass prevention movement.

Read more
Read President Zuma's speech
Read Michel Sidibé's speech
Photo gallery

UN Secretary-General, Naomi Watts, Kenneth Cole, Oscar Winner Susan Sarandon and Others Highlight Human Rights at World AIDS Day “LIGHT FOR RIGHTS” Event in New York City

Commemorating World AIDS Day 2009, lights on the historic Washington Square Park Memorial Arch and other landmarks in New York City are being turned off at 6:15 pm tonight at an event to remember those lost to AIDS, and turned back on to emphasize human rights for those living with HIV/AIDS around the globe.

Read press release
Photo gallery

Laws that criminalize groups and behaviours threaten to jeopardize universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support

On World AIDS Day, as we reflect on universal access and human rights, UNAIDS calls on governments to refrain from passing criminal laws that fuel discrimination, prevent effective national responses to HIV and violate human rights.

Read statement

Shining light on rights this World AIDS Day in New York

To focus on the human rights of people living with HIV, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be joined UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Naomi Watts, Kenneth Cole, chairman, board of trustees, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, New York City Speaker of the City Council Christine C. Quinn, and 13-year-old AIDS activist Keren Dunaway-Gonzalez in New York City.

Read more

Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention

Defined during a technical consultation co-organised by GNP+ and UNAIDS in April 2009, Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention is a new framework based on a human rights approach. It reinforces the leadership of people living with HIV in the design, programming, implementation, research, monitoring and evaluation of all policies and programmes that affect them. GNP+ is releasing the official report of the meeting during World AIDS Day 2009.

Read more
Download report

Red Ribbon Award calls for nominations to honour community leadership and action on AIDS

On this year’s World AIDS Day the UNAIDS family and the XVIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2010) are announcing a global call for nominations for the 2010 Red Ribbon Award. The Award honours community-based organisations for their contributions in responding to the AIDS epidemic.

Read more

Geneva celebrates positive living on World AIDS Day

1 December 2009

If you are one of the 4 million travellers landing in Geneva airport this week, you will surely notice the gigantic red ribbons at the arrival and departure levels of a city that has chosen to join forces with UNAIDS and the myriad civil society organizations to draw attention to Human Rights and World AIDS Day.

Read more

World Bank on World AIDS Day: HIV as key development issue

1 December 2009

To mark World AIDS Day this year the World Bank is hosting an event in Washington DC which brings together a wide range of international partners and high-level guests to explore key issues in the challenge to HIV. Entitled Keeping the promise, Investing in the future: Linking HIV/AIDS, food security and maternal and child health, the gathering will examine AIDS as a central development issue, forging critical links between the epidemic and broader development goals.

Read more

Taking World AIDS Day to the airwaves

To mark 2009 World AIDS Day a special amateur radio station 4U1AIDS will operate from UNAIDS Secretariat headquarters in Geneva from 1-7 December 2009 and will be broadcast all over the world via the amateur radio network. The initiative is to encourage radio amateurs all around the globe to participate in World AIDS Day.

Read more

World AIDS Day to be marked by UNAIDS Office in Washington

In collaboration with twenty-six civil society organizations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the World Bank, UNAIDS is hosting a luncheon on 1 December which completes a policy forum series on HIV, human rights and key at-risk populations.

Read more

What does living with HIV mean to me?

There are an estimated 33.4 million people around the world living with HIV. As we gather around the globe this World AIDS Day to collectively commemorate, celebrate and speak out, it is important to not lose sight of the individuals behind the numbers and to remember the very real impact HIV has on people’s lives. This is Raffaele’s story.

Read more

Data shows progress needed on HIV testing and treatment for children and mothers

30 November 2009

National efforts to combat AIDS, particularly by preventing mother-to-child transmission, are showing positive results, but many HIV and AIDS affected children still struggle to have their basic needs met, according to a report launched today by four United Nations agencies.

Read more
Download Report

New HIV recommendations to improve health, reduce infections and save lives

30 November 2009

On the eve of World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is releasing new recommendations on treatment, prevention and infant feeding in the context of HIV, based on the latest scientific evidence.

Read more

Cricketers help raise AIDS awareness

30 November 2009

On the eve of World AIDS Day, some of the world's best-known cricketers called for the international cricket community to continue to support calls for greater awareness to help continue the fight against HIV. Cricketers like Nathan Bracken, Isa Guha, Kumar Sangakkara, Graeme Smith and Virender Sehwag came together to champion the THINK WISE campaign which helps to raise awareness about HIV amongst the cricket community. All international cricketers will also wear red ribbons in matches being playes over the next few days.

Find out more

UK rollout The People Living with HIV Stigma Index

30 November 2009

An index that documents the stigma experienced by people living with HIV in the country has been launched at the Houses of Parliament, London, United Kingdom. Speakers at the launch included His Excellency Kenneth Kaunda, First President of the Republic of Zambia, Rt. Hon Andy Burnham MP; Secretary of State for Health, and Annie Lennox, singer and founder of The SING Campaign and members of the community research team.

Read more

Eight-year trend shows new HIV infections down by 17%

24 November 2009

Data released by UNAIDS and the WHO highlights that beyond the peak and natural course of the epidemic HIV prevention programmes are making a difference. According to 2009 AIDS epidemic update, new HIV infections have been reduced by 17% over the past eight years.

Read more
Press release
Webcast and photos from launch press conference

UNAIDS Outlook 2010: Fresh perspectives

24 November 2009

At the moment globally five people are becoming infected with HIV for every two people accessing treatment. It is critical that the way we respond keeps pace with and overtakes the epidemic if we are to see a real change in people’s lives, aspirations and futures. UNAIDS Outlook 2010, a new publication launched today, explores new ideas and provides fresh perspectives on the 2009 epidemiological data.

Read more

Credit: UNAIDS

On the eve of World AIDS Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is releasing new recommendations on treatment, prevention and infant feeding in the context of HIV, based on the latest scientific evidence.

WHO now recommends earlier initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults and adolescents, the delivery of more patient-friendly antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), and prolonged use of ARVs to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. For the first time, WHO recommends that HIV-positive mothers or their infants take ARVs while breastfeeding to prevent HIV transmission.

"These new recommendations are based on the most up to date, available data," said Dr Hiroki Nakatani, Assistant Director General for HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at the World Health Organization.  "Their widespread adoption will enable many more people in high-burden areas to live longer and healthier lives."

An estimated 33.4 million people are living with HIV, and there are some 2.7 million new infections each year. Globally, AIDS is the leading cause of mortality among women of reproductive age.

New treatment recommendations

In 2006, WHO recommended that all patients start ART when their CD4 count (a measure of immune system strength) falls to 200 cells/mm3 or lower, at which point they typically show symptoms of HIV disease. Since then, studies and trials have clearly demonstrated that starting ART earlier reduces rates of death and disease. WHO is now recommending that ART be initiated at a higher CD4 threshold of 350 cells/mm3 for all HIV-positive patients, including pregnant women, regardless of symptoms.

WHO also recommends that countries phase out the use of Stavudine, or d4T, because of its long-term, irreversible side-effects. Stavudine is still widely used in first-line therapy in developing countries due to its low cost and widespread availability. Zidovudine (AZT) or Tenofovir (TDF) are recommended as less toxic and equally effective alternatives.

The 2009 recommendations outline an expanded role for laboratory monitoring to improve the quality of HIV treatment and care. They recommend greater access to CD4 testing and the use of viral load monitoring when necessary. However, access to ART must not be denied if these monitoring tests are not available.

Preventing mother-to-child transmission and improving child survival

In 2006, WHO recommended that ARVs be provided to HIV-positive pregnant women in the third trimester (beginning at 28 weeks) to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. At the time, there was insufficient evidence on the protective effect of ARVs during breastfeeding. Since then, several clinical trials have shown the efficacy of ARVs in preventing transmission to the infant while breastfeeding. The 2009 recommendations promote the use of ARVs earlier in pregnancy, starting at 14 weeks and continuing through the end of the breastfeeding period.

WHO now recommends that breastfeeding continue until the infant is 12 months of age, provided the HIV-positive mother or baby is taking ARVs during that period.  This will reduce the risk of HIV transmission and improve the infant's chance of survival.

"In the new recommendations, we are sending a clear message that breastfeeding is a good option for every baby, even those with HIV-positive mothers, when they have access to ARVs," said Daisy Mafubelu, WHO's Assistant Director General for Family and Community Health.

National health authorities are encouraged by WHO to identify the most appropriate infant feeding practice (either breastfeeding with ARVs or the use of infant formula) for their communities. The selected practice should then be promoted as the single standard of care.

Benefits and challenges

An earlier start to antiretroviral treatment boosts the immune system and reduces the risks of HIV-related death and disease. It also lowers the risk of HIV and TB transmission.

The new prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) recommendations have the potential to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission risk to 5% or lower. Combined with improved infant feeding practices, the recommendations can help to improve child survival.

The main challenge lies in increasing the availability of treatment in resource-limited countries. The expansion of ART and PMTCT services is currently hindered by weak infrastructure, limited human and financial resources, and poor integration of HIV-specific interventions within broader maternal and child health services. 

The recommendations, if adopted, will result in a greater number of people needing treatment. The associated costs of earlier treatment may be offset by decreased hospital costs, increased productivity due to fewer sick days, fewer children orphaned by AIDS and a drop in HIV infections.

Another challenge lies in encouraging more people to receive voluntary HIV testing and counselling before they have symptoms. Currently, many HIV-positive people are waiting too long to seek treatment, usually when their CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mm3. However, the benefits of earlier treatment may also encourage more people to undergo HIV testing and counselling and learn their HIV status.

WHO, in collaboration with key partners, will provide technical support to countries to adapt, adopt and implement the revised guidelines. Implemented at a wide scale, WHO's new recommendations will improve the health of people living with HIV, reduce the number of new HIV infections and save lives.

In collaboration with twenty-six civil society organizations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the World Bank, UNAIDS is hosting a luncheon on 1 December which completes a policy forum series on HIV, human rights and key at-risk populations. 

In recent months UNAIDS has hosted leaders from around the world in Washington, DC to discuss the human rights issues of addressing HIV in three key at-risk populations:  men who have sex with men on 16 September; sex workers on 15 October; and people who inject drugs on 12 November. A representative from each population will address human rights and universal access.  Civil society representatives will present recommendations to the United States government.  U.S. Representative Jim McDermott (Washington State) will give special remarks.

1 December 2009 marks the 21st anniversary of World AIDS Day. The theme for this year is "Universal Access and Human Rights".

To mark the day, the United Nations Secretary General, the Executive Director of UNAIDS Secretariat and Heads of UNAIDS Cosponsors and partners speak out in special World AIDS Day statements.

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009
"On World AIDS Day this year, our challenge is clear: we must continue doing what works, but we must also do more, on an urgent basis, to uphold our commitment to reach universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010." Read the UN Secretary General's message en | es | fr | ru | ar | ch
UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009
Press play to start
"AIDS provides a powerful mechanism for creating integrated health, human rights and development programmes. We must take AIDS out of isolation and create a broad social movement that will accelerate progress toward the Millennium Development Goals." Read the UNAIDS Executive Director's message (en | es | fr | ru )
	Message from the High Commissioner for World AIDS Day 2009 Message for World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 Today we mark the 21st Anniversary of World AIDS Day with the theme "Universal Access and Human Rights". As you know, AIDS is a major global crisis that has affected and continues to affect UNHCR’s persons of concern and the very staff who work to support them. Read the full message
	UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa Message for World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 "On World AIDS Day 2009, UNODC stresses the importance that everyone – including those on the margins of society who are most at risk – should be able to live their rights." Read the full message
	Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “When looking at how all of us can maintain and strengthen our engagement in the AIDS response, I am fully committed that UNESCO will continue to address the social and structural factors that fuel the epidemic, including gender inequality and stigma and discrimination, and to empower young people to make healthy, informed decisions. We must build on our strengths, and move forward in concert with our partners.” Read the full statement Arabic | Chinese | French | Spanish | Russian
	UNDP Administrator Ms Helen Clark Message for World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “The international community observes World AIDS Day each year on December 1st. On this day we focus this year on the need for effective HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment, and support.” Read the UNDP Administrator's message French | Spanish
	Chief of nutrition and HIV/AIDS, World Food Programme Martin BloemMessage for World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 "Gradually it has become clear that in the developing world, better nutrition plays an important role in HIV treatment programmes – by increasing the effectiveness of the treatment." Read full statement
	Director of World Bank’s Global AIDS Program Debrework Zewdie Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 "The Bank stepped up boldly with the first billion dollars for HIV a decade ago when denial and inaction were widespread. Now, the tide of the epidemic finally seems to be turning. But we are still in very deep water. Especially with much of the world still grappling with the food and financial crises, the Bank is doing the right thing in reaffirming to countries, just as each Bank president has done since 2000, that we will continue to support effective efforts to prevent and cope with HIV for as long as it takes to succeed against this virus." Read the full message
	Director-General of ILO Mr. Juan Somavia Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “On this World AIDS Day we pay tribute to all who are engaged in breaking the silence and tackling one the cruellest global tragedies of our times. The ILO renews its commitment to doing our part to keep the promise in and through the world of work.” Read the full statement French | Spanish
	UNFPA Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “Today on World AIDS Day we extend solidarity to all people who are living with HIV and AIDS so they can live free of stigma and discrimination. And we remember and pay tribute to those who have lost their lives to AIDS.” Read the UNFPA Executive Director's message
	Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for AIDS in Africa Elizabeth Mataka Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “As women, we cannot work alone in fighting HIV. We need to support men and boys in developing positive and transformative masculinities which do not condone gender inequality and which support women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights. We need to partner with men in addressing factors that fuel the epidemic on our continent such as multiple concurrent relationships, sexual violence and inter-generational and survival sex." Read the full statement
	UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Michael Ballack Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “Do you know that many people living with or affected by HIV don’t have access to health care, housing or even a job. Why? Because of discrimination It is critical that we do not discriminate against anyone for any reason! Everyone deserves to live their rights Join me and stand up for equal rights for all.”
	UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Emmanuel Adebayor Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 Do you know that HIV is treatable? - And still… too many people around the world do not have access to proper treatment, care and support This is unacceptable! Everyone deserves to live their rights Join me and stand up for equal rights for all.”
	UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Toumani Diabate Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 "Listen… - to my message…Listen to my words… Discrimination and stigmatization are some of the biggest challenges facing the HIV epidemic worldwide. We can change that – people affected by HIV should have the same rights as everyone Please join me on this special day to honour the courage of the people living with HIV and let us make sure our voices and support is heard."
	UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Salman Ahmad Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009   "In my new song, "Love Can" from my forthcoming album and book Rock and Roll Jihad, I sing the line "when you see with the heart, all the masks come tumbling down, Love can you take me back?". I believe we have to rediscover and relearn how to see the world with compassion. When we see with the heart, we see a diverse and beautiful humanity including those of us, women, children and men who are living with HIV and AIDS. Love is the way back to rediscovering that compassion. Love Can take us back."
	UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Princess Mathilde of Belgium Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “On World Aids Day let us renew our courage and commitment to get results HIV prevention of mother to child transmission must be a key focus in the AIDS response - Saving mothers, saving babies should remain one of our primary concerns. A Global Commitment to scale up access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is today more needed than ever. "
	UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “Access for all to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is a critical part of human rights. Violations of human rights, including stigma and discrimination increase the risk of HIV and its impact. World Aids Day 2009 invites us all to engage, care and to keep the promise. To stop aids, youth-led action must be facilitated. We need the engagement of youth to move forward in the response. There are several reasons for that: We cannot afford to lose the focus on aids now when we have come so far. Over the last six years, the number of people who have access to treatment in low income countries has increased from 400 000 to 3 million. We need renewed engagement to keep up the good efforts. It is also important to include youth in the aids response because young people under 24 are today the group most vulnerable to new infections. A third reason is that we need the openness, energy and expertise of youth to keep up the fighting spirit for human rights and against stigma and discrimination. It is young people who can lead the way in a new generation of aids response. They should define what is important to them. They know what makes them vulnerable. They can teach the older generation what works – and they can communicate through new channels. This will create new possibilities and ensure different perspectives in future responses.”
	UN Plus: UN System HIV Positive Staff Group Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “Today communities around world will remember the millions who have died of AIDS and speak out in solidarity with those living with HIV. While many of us, thanks to access to treatment, are able to lead full and productive lives, the global response is still not meeting the needs of the vast majority of those living with HIV. Of the almost 10 million people living with HIV in need of treatment, only around 4 million have access, and availability of second and third line therapies is still a challenge.” Read full statement
	Dr Marcos Espinal, Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “We must do more and do it now to stop people living with HIV from dying of tuberculosis. Countries need to find, prevent and treat tuberculosis in all people living with HIV and to test for HIV in all patients with TB in order to provide prevention, treatment and care. To do both they must developer collaborative programmes, nationwide, that address both diseases.” Read full statement
	Statement by UNAIDS and the European Union World AIDS Day On the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “The Presidency of the European Union (EU) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcome South Africa’s strong focus on HIV prevention and HIV testing. The EU and UNAIDS stress the need for the full respect of all human rights -- that no man, woman, boy or girl must be subject to stigma and discrimination due to his or her HIV status, sexual orientation, age, or gender.” Read full statement
	Executive Director, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Dr Michel Kazatchkine Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “We have come a long way in the AIDS response with more than 4 million people now on treatment. But our gains need to be sustained. We must be concerned that in many parts of the world affected communities are still being denied their basic rights. We cannot rest when 80 countries still have homophobic laws and more than 70 countries still have travel restrictions for people living with HIV. Advancing human rights is absolutely central to the fight against AIDS and the fight for equality and for dignity must remain at the core of everything we do.” Read full statement
	The Global Fund’s Ambassador for the protection of mothers and children against AIDS Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “No mother needs to die from AIDS and no child should be born with HIV anywhere in the world. We must ensure that these disparities end. These are goals that are achievable, that accelerate the pace of our efforts, and that will not only help us save lives from AIDS but, as we increasingly see, will benefit maternal and child health more widely.” Read full statement
	Fight against AIDS: Francophone Parliamentary Assembly mobilized Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 On the occasion of World AIDS Day, the parliamentary network against HIV/AIDS, which is part of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly, calls on all francophone countries to redouble their efforts to reduce the spread of HIV, which continues to have a strong impact on these countries. Read full statement
	Executive Director, International HIV/AIDS Alliance Alvaro Bermejo Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “World AIDS Day is a good opportunity to remind us to continue to show dynamic, innovative and courageous leadership. The fantastic integration between healthcare services with NGOs and faith-based organisations running home and community care programmes that I see here in Cambodia and elsewhere around the world can inspire the vision we all need. Let’s make this World AIDS Day an opportunity to recommit ourselves to continue to fight the spread and impact of HIV, and to hold governments to account for any failure to protect their citizens’ human rights.” Read full statement
	Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 “Our Coalition is at the heart of a movement that’s increasing impact in the fight against AIDS. We’re making global health action smarter by joining the corporate sector, governments and civil society together.” Read full statement
	The Global Network of People living with HIV (GNP+) Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 On World AIDS Day 2009, the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) is highlighting and calling for continuing support for the leadership of people living with HIV in the HIV response. For World AIDS Day 2009 GNP+ highlights four programmes that demonstrate how meaningful involvement of people living with HIV can provide significant contributions to the national and international HIV response. Read full statement
	World YWCA Message on the occasion of World AIDS Day, 1 December 2008 “The latest research on women’s health indicates that lack of contraception and unsafe sex are the crucial risk factors for death and disability in women of reproductive age (15 – 49 years old). Unsafe sex can result in unintended pregnancy, unsafe abortions, reproductive complications and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. As civil society continues to push for Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by the end of 2010, it is essential that governments and world leaders understand that for universal access to be truly universal, the human rights of young women and women living with HIV must also be upheld." . Read the statement French | Spanish

World AIDS Day messages from Faith Leaders

Pope Benedict XVI

"My thoughts and my prayers go with every person who has been touched by this illness, partiuculary the children, the poor and the rejected. The Church does not cease to make every effort to combat AIDS through its institutions and personnel dedicated to this task. I urge all people to offer their own contributions through prayer and concrete attention, so that those affected by the HIV virus will experience the presence of the Lord who gives comfort and hope. In conclusion, I hope that, by multiplying and coordinating these efforts, it will be possible to stop and overcome this illness."

Read full message

The Archbishop of Canterbury
Dr Rowan Williams

"We know that transmission from mother to child is now something that can be dealt with. We need to encourage all our governments to keep up their commitment to making this medical help available, and to giving that hope which we know is possible. And in all of that, the churches have a crucial role. How the Church really can be a lifesaver here. So we can pray that all our congregations will be themselves the agents of hope that they have the capacity to be."

Read full message

President, Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar
Cardinal Polycarp Pengo

"Constantly present among millions of Africans who are badly affected by the pandemic, we see how AIDS continues to ravage our populations, even if it is slipping down the agenda of governments, civil society and international organizations. At a time when official concerns about the pandemic are receding, we re-affirm theologically that the Body of Christ has AIDS, and express our pastoral determination as Family of God to provide fitting responses. For our continent is still the worst afflicted."

President and CEO, Catholic Medical Mission Board
John F Galbraith

“I am constantly amazed at the dignity, bravery and living in conditions of the people we are helping. For any one of us to be exposed to even 10% of the challenges they face on a daily basis, would probably be pretty hard and we wouldn’t handle it too well.
If you were to meet any one of those people, you would never doubt why you should be a contributor to our organisation. They are living proof of the strength and depth of the human personality.”

Read full message

NEW YORK/GENEVA/ BARCELONA 30 November 2009 – National efforts to combat AIDS, particularly by preventing mother-to-child transmission, are showing positive results, but many HIV and AIDS affected children still struggle to have their basic needs met, according to a report launched today by four United Nations agencies.

The report, titled Children and AIDS: The Fourth Stocktaking Report, 2009 and published jointly by UNAIDS, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), features data on interventions that protect women and children from HIV and AIDS and a set of principles to guide accelerated action.

The data shows there has been significant progress in some countries in both treatment to avoid mother-to-child transmission and testing of pregnant women for HIV. Treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission is now provided to 95 per cent of those in need in Botswana, 91 per cent in Namibia and 73 per cent in South Africa -- all countries with high HIV prevalence. Progress is particularly evident in South Africa, where coverage was risen from just 15 per cent in 2004.

“Globally, 45 per cent of HIV-positive pregnant women are now receiving treatment to prevent them passing HIV on to their children, an increase of nearly 200 per cent since 2005,” said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. “The challenge is to scale up treatment in countries such as Nigeria, which is home to 15 per cent of the world’s pregnant women living with HIV.”

Currently only 10 per cent of women in Nigeria are tested for HIV and ninety percent of pregnant women living with HIV are not accessing treatments to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

The links among household poverty, maternal and child health, and HIV remain strong. However successes are evident where governments have made strong commitments to address maternal and child health – including HIV testing and treatment – and where testing and treatment have been incorporated into general maternal and child health programmes. Progress will be stronger if root causes of vulnerability to HIV, including poverty, gender inequality and sexual violence, are addressed.

"We cannot afford to be complacent," said Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO. "In many high-income countries, paediatric HIV has been virtually eliminated. This shows what is possible. WHO's new recommendations on preventing mother-to-child transmission, launched today, offer an important opportunity to dramatically improve the health of mothers and children in low-income settings."

Globally pediatric treatment for HIV positive children, while still lagging behind adult treatment, has increased to cover 38 per cent of those in need -- an improvement of nearly 40 per cent in just one year. Recent evidence indicates that infant diagnosis in the first 2 months of life and early initiation of anti-retroviral treatment (ARV) can lead to significant reductions in child mortality, but the data shows that globally only 15 per cent of children born to HIV positive mothers are being tested in the first two months.

“To expand HIV testing for mothers and children, we need to tackle social barriers such as violence, stigma and discrimination, and strengthen health systems,” said Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director. “By providing integrated services for maternal and newborn healthcare and family planning and HIV testing, counseling and treatment, we can save and improve the lives of millions of women and children.” The situation of HIV and AIDS orphans continues to be a cause of concern, with only 1 in 8 families caring for orphans and vulnerable children receiving external help, such as medical care, financial assistance and support for education.

Another hard-hit group is women and girls aged 15 to 24. Women and girls in this age group in sub-Saharan Africa continue to account for nearly 70 per cent of all new infections among young people in the region. The report suggests that dealing with the epidemic’s drivers -- including sexual violence – means including men and boys in the response. "Children have a right to be born free from HIV," said Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. "No cost is too high for saving mothers and babies. We can achieve this if we leverage the AIDS response to also strengthen maternal child health services."

The report shows that investments in HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment are paying off, especially for women and children. If they are sustained, and supported by commitment and sound policies, the dividends will be measured in lives saved.

The Stocktaking Report will be launched at 11:00 a.m. in the UN Secretariat on 30 November 2009, with special guest C. Virginia Fields, President and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Jimmy Kolker, UNICEF, Nathan Shaffer, WHO and Reshma Pattni, UNFPA.

A recent review of evidence on HIV-related stigma commissioned by UNAIDS and carried out by ICRW revealed that HIV-related stigma is still pervasive and negatively affects the quality of life of people living with HIV. Credit: UNAIDS

Great strides have been made in recent years in understanding HIV-related stigma and discrimination – how to measure it and how to reduce it. However, the wide diversity of measures used to measure the causes, levels and consequences of stigma makes it difficult to compare prevalence of stigma across setting and populations. In addition, the lack of standardised indicators at the programme, national and global levels has been a significant barrier to scale up stigma reduction programmes.

To consolidate understanding of stigma and its devastating impact on peoples’ lives, UNAIDS brought together researchers, monitoring and evaluation experts, HIV-programme implementers, and people working at policy level to share lessons learnt on stigma measurement, to review existing measurement tools and to lay the ground to develop a set of common, standardized indicators on HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

“We have confirmed that while the languages and faces of stigma differ from place to place, the underlying structure is the same,” said Barbara de Zalduondo, Chief of the Programmatic Priorities Support Division of UNAIDS. “We came away convinced that there are common factors of stigma, and that we can use a variety of tools to measure these in comparable ways.”

The three day meeting was held from 23-25 November in Washington DC in collaboration with the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) and the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). 

A recent review of evidence on HIV-related stigma commissioned by UNAIDS and carried out by ICRW revealed that HIV-related stigma is still pervasive and negatively affects the quality of life of people living with HIV. Stigma and discrimination also act as impediments to uptake of HIV testing, treatment, and care and adherence to treatment.

The participants at the meeting agreed on the key areas that need to be measured to understand stigma associated with HIV and the layered stigma attached to sex work, injecting drug use and homosexuality and expressed enthusiasm about the meeting outcomes.

“We now have tools to understand and reduce stigma, and can move in very specific ways to support people living with HIV and will no longer speak in abstract terms,” said Kenly Sikwese, Coordinator of the PLHIV Stigma Index in Zambia.

An index that documents the stigma experienced by people living with HIV in the country has been launched at the Houses of Parliament, London, United Kingdom.

Speakers at the launch included His Excellency Kenneth Kaunda, First President of the Republic of Zambia, Rt. Hon Andy Burnham MP; Secretary of State for Health, Annie Lennox, singer and founder of The SING Campaign and members of the community research team. The launch was chaired by David Borrow MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS.

The UK is the first country in Europe to undertake a full rollout of The People Living with HIV Stigma Index initiative— a pioneering community research and advocacy initiative that has been developed by and for people living with HIV to measure and document how people have experienced—and been able to challenge and overcome—stigma and discrimination relating to HIV.

More than 20 other countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Pacific are also working with the Index supported by an international partnership between International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPFF), in partnership with UNAIDS, the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), and the International Community of Women with HIV/AIDS (ICW). The UK initiative has been supported by the M.A.C. AIDS Foundation, UK Department for International Development and the Scottish Government.

The programme follows similar rollouts in Bangladesh, China, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand and Zambia.

Talking about the role of the index in the AIDS response, a Stigma Index Researcher in Uganda said, “When it comes to crying, shouting, speaking out against stigma, I have done it. But I have been struggling with the evidence to quantify it. As a researcher and as an advocate, I now have the missing link.”

The index aims to increase the understanding of how stigma and discrimination is experienced by people living with HIV and then use the evidence gained to shape future programmatic interventions and policy change.

Stigma and discrimination constitute one of the greatest barriers to dealing effectively with the AIDS epidemic. They discourage governments from acknowledging or taking timely action against AIDS and deter individuals from finding out about their HIV status. They inhibit those who know they are infected from sharing their diagnosis and taking action to protect others and from seeking treatment and care for themselves.

The process of empowering people living with HIV, their networks and communities is crucial. The index aims to be both a catalyst for creating and fostering change in the communities in which it is used.

The index works towards more effective communication, education and outreach about laws protecting people living with HIV in countries where it is being implemented, so that people living with HIV know their rights. Its aim is to inform policy and practice relating to human rights, confidentiality and testing, especially for young people.

The information gained from the index, collected by people living with HIV, will provide evidence for the success (or failures) of current programmes and highlight neglected areas requiring future action. These include improving workplace policies, informing debates about the criminalisation of HIV transmission, and promoting the realization of human rights.

Consequently, the index hopes to be an advocacy tool which will support the collective goal of governments, non-governmental organisations and activists alike to reduce the stigma and discrimination linked to HIV.

In its joint action for results paper, the Outcome Framework 2009-2011, UNAIDS calls the removal of punitive laws, policies, practices, stigma and discrimination that block effective
responses to AIDS and core to this collaboration “with civil society and stakeholders to uphold non-discrimination in all efforts, countering social judgement and the fear that feeds stigma.”

To mark 2009 World AIDS Day a special amateur radio station 4U1AIDS will operate from UNAIDS Secretariat headquarters in Geneva from 1-7 December 2009 and will be broadcast all over the world via the amateur radio network. The initiative is to encourage radio amateurs all around the globe to participate in World AIDS Day.

As well as being a hobby, amateur radio is a public service which offers support during emergencies and disasters when all other communications channels (including mobile telephones, satellite) are interrupted. One of its distinctions from commercial radio is that it is not for profit and skilled amateurs operate without payment.

The amateur radio operator community is global in its reach with an estimated six million people throughout the world regularly involved. They share an interest in what is happening in the world and in reaching out to each other.

To mark this year’s World AIDS Day a special QSL card will be sent to amateur radio stations which have a radio contact with 4U1AIDS. Those contacting on any 3 amateur radio bands, will awarded a special commemorative certificate while those contacting on 5 amateur radio bands will be awarded a special commemorative UNAIDS pennant.

World AIDS Day was first marked in 1998. It is a day of remembrance, global solidarity and celebration and is an opportunity to increasing awareness about HIV in order to reduce stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV as well as encourage HIV prevention messages.

From right: Mr Huang Jiefu, Vice Minister of Health on behalf of the Government of China, UNAIDS Executive Director Mr Michel Sidibé and civil society representative jointly launched the nationwide anti-stigma campaign. Beijing, 27 November 2009.
Credit: UNAIDS/Zhou Dao

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and the Chinese Vice-Minister of Health, Huang Jiefu, launched a campaign in Beijing earlier today to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Chinese basketball star Yao Ming and a group of fans that include people living with HIV are the face of the campaign which features two videos and a poster.

Congratulating Mr Ming on his commitment to spread awareness about HIV, Mr Sidibé said, “It is an inspiration to have celebrity as famous as Yao Ming take a leadership role in addressing this issue. I hope others will follow his excellent example.”

In the campaign, Yao Ming is encouraging people in China and all over the world to help change attitudes and stop stigma and discrimination, “Like all of us, my friends who are living with HIV should have the opportunity to live full and dignified lives.”

Members from organizations of people living with HIV and other partners were also part of the launch ceremony.

The campaign responds to findings from a recently launched China Stigma Index report that measures stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV in China. The report, the first of its kind in China, surveyed more than 2000 respondents living with HIV. The data are collected by people living with HIV themselves. The survey report is the result of efforts of networks of people living with HIV and other key stakeholders including the Institute of Social Development Research of the Chinese Central Party School, the Marie Stopes International project ‘Positive Talks’ and UNAIDS. The work is part of a global project to document AIDS-related discrimination.

“People living with HIV should not be forced to live in the shadows,” said Yu Xuan who is HIV positive and a consultant for ‘Positive Talks’. “This data collection project has clearly shown that people living with HIV need to be part of the response to AIDS. By working together we can make a big difference.”

The study shows that 42% of respondents reported having faced some type of HIV-related discrimination. It also showed that 12% of respondents said they had been refused medical care at least once since they tested positive.

Dr Jiefu commented, “China has always made anti-discrimination education an important part of its response to AIDS. The Chinese government is committed to continuing to work together with the international community, including UNAIDS, and to doing more to eliminate discrimination.”

Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director presents the China Stigma Index Report at launch in Beijing, 27 November 2009.
Credit: UNAIDS/Zhou Dao

Many of the surveyed respondents said they had been refused antiretroviral treatment, refused family planning services and reproductive health services since being diagnosed HIV positive. 17% said they had been recommended by a health professional not to have children and some had been pressurised into undergoing sterilization by a healthcare professional. Some of the female respondents said they had been pressurised into terminating a pregnancy by medical staff or family planning department staff.
The China Stigma Index survey also found that one quarter of medical staff and more than one third of government officials and teachers develop more negative and discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV after learning of their HIV positive status.

A significant proportion of people living with HIV reported having lost their job, having been forced to leave school or move out of their home or even having found that their family members experienced discrimination in various forms, as a result of their HIV status.

China, together with India, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea, is home to 82% of people living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region.

HIV remains a formidable challenge in China with several factors fuelling the epidemic, including shame, fear, stigma and discrimination; low awareness of HIV within the general population; rural poverty; mobility; availability and affordability of prostitution; a rapidly expanding community of men who have sex with men; and injecting drug use.

Credit: Xinhua/Li Tao

Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director, met with Vice Premiere of the People’s Republic of China Li Keqiang in Beijing during his week long visit to the country.

"China is still confronted with a severe task of HIV prevention and treatment, although the spread of the epidemic has slowed down thanks to the joint efforts of government, professionals and the public," Li said at the meeting.

Mr Sidibé said the vice premier had "showed the country's commitment to this cause," but the UNAIDS head also noted that China faces a major challenge in scaling up HIV prevention. “Right now there is great scope to save lives by recognizing and meeting the unique needs of those at high risk,” said Mr Sidibé.

In China, between 560,000 to 920,000 people are living with HIV and 97,000 to 112,000 AIDS patients at the end of 2009, according to estimates by the Ministry of Health and UNAIDS.

During the meeting, Vice Premier Mr Li also highlighted the country's efforts to step up AIDS awareness education among the public and mobilize social forces in disease prevention and control in a bid to minimize the AIDS impact

He pledged China's commitment to stronger international cooperation, saying the country will expand information and technology exchanges, share experience in prevention and treatment, shoulder international obligations and contribute to the health and security of human.

China now has 276 AIDS control programs jointly operated with more than 40 foreign governments or international organizations, involving 3.58 billion yuan in fund.