New report shows that strong partnership between African and G8 governments has delivered impressive results but gaps remain in efforts to improve health across the continent

ADDIS ABABA, 25 May 2013—African and G8 governments have made significant progress against several major commitments to improve health in Africa over the past decade, but must commit to new investments for AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.

The recommendations were published in the first-ever accountability report focused on health issues by the African Union (AU), the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The report, Delivering Results toward Ending AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa, was endorsed today by African Heads of State and Government at the 21^st African Union Summit.

“This report is proof that the partnership between Africa and G8 is being translated into action. African countries are demonstrating meaningful successes through their leadership to fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria,” said H.E Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and Chairperson of the AU, “I commend our G8 Partners for living up to their commitment in providing financial support and I call upon G20, BRICS countries, and other global actors to join us and build up on the success of our partnership with G8 to end AIDS, TB and malaria in our continent."

The report’s findings show that some pledges, however, remain unfulfilled and calls for greater leadership, particularly in the areas of access to medicines, sustainable financing, human rights and gender equality.

“This first ever assessment of Africa-G8 commitments on AIDS, TB and Malaria will spur urgent action to address these challenges in a sustainable way,” said H.E. Macky Sall, Chairperson of NEPAD and President of Senegal. “I commend the collaborative efforts of the NEPAD Agency, the AU Commission and UNAIDS to deliver this flagship report.”

African commitments

The report outlines that African countries have embraced transformative reforms that are producing results in the responses to AIDS, TB and malaria whilst at the same time strengthening health systems. It notes that although African governments have made important progress in increasing health financing, only six countries have fulfilled their commitment to devote 15% of government expenditures to health. For African governments overall, this percentage increased from 9% in 2001 to 11% in 2011.

The report also assessed progress in African governments’ health policies, noting, for example, that monitoring and evaluation of health programmes has improved significantly. However policy improvements remain uneven––while 90% of African Union Member States have programmes to reduce AIDS-related stigma and discrimination, many still have punitive laws that put marginalized populations at increased risk of HIV.

“Accountability is critical to the AU-G8 partnership,” said Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD. “This report marks a turning point in our joint efforts to combat AIDS, TB and malaria in Africa.  It provides a unique insight into remaining gaps and where urgent action now needs to be taken by all partners”

G8 commitments

According to the report, G8 countries have largely met their commitments to finance the response to AIDS, TB and malaria in Africa, including a pledge to provide $60 billion in health assistance from 2007-2012—which the report calls “a historic achievement, and one that has saved millions of lives.”  In addition, the G8 has played a central role in launching and supporting the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. As a result, more than 7 million people in Africa were receiving HIV treatment by the end of 2012, up from less than 300,000 in 2002. 

However, international donor support for health has not increased in recent years, jeopardizing the sustainability of recent health gains. In addition the G8 fell far short of its goal of doubling aid to Africa between 2005 and 2010. The report also highlights the lack of significant new commitments by the G8 in recent years.

“Collective action and commitment has enabled Africa to make extraordinary strides against AIDS, TB, and malaria,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “We have a unique opportunity now to significantly improve health across the continent if people are put at the centre of the responses, investments are scaled up, human rights are respected and stigma, discrimination and punitive laws are eliminated.”

The report outlines a series of actions needed from both African and G8 leaders to ensure that progress against AIDS, TB and malaria continues, despite the challenging economic environment facing many African and development partner countries. These actions are aligned with the African Union’s Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria Response in Africa.

WASHINGTON DC, 24 July 2012— Speaking at a satellite session today at the XIX International AIDS Conference, Ambassador Eric Goosby, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, and Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), commended countries and their international partners for recent progress in preventing new HIV infections among children and saving mothers’ lives.

“The latest data is encouraging and a testament to the dedication and tireless work under way to virtually eliminate new paediatric infections,” said Ambassador Eric Goosby, who leads the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  “The United States is committed to working with countries to succeed in this mission and achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation.”

A steep decline in new HIV infections among children

According to a new report from UNAIDS, there were an estimated 330 000 new HIV infections among children globally in 2011—a 24% reduction since 2009, when about 430 000 children were newly infected with HIV. Among 21 Global Plan priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the estimated number of children newly infected with HIV fell by 25%, from 360 000 in 2009 to 270 000 in 2011.

Progress has been made possible through rapid improvement in access to services that prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). There was a dramatic increase in coverage of PMTCT services in the 21 priority countries between 2009 and 2011: from 34% to 61%. HIV transmission rates from mother-to child have also declined since 2010 with the introduction of more effective prophylaxis regimens.

“We know how to get to zero—science has shown the way,” said the UNAIDS Executive Director. “The only thing that can stop us now is indecision or a lack of courage. Through strengthened political will and financial resources, we can reach our twin goals of zero new HIV infections among children and zero AIDS-related maternal deaths.”

AIDS-related maternal deaths also on the decline

The estimated number of pregnancy-related deaths among women living with HIV fell from 46 000 in 2005 to 37 000 in 2010—a 20% reduction. Among 21 high-priority countries, pregnancy-related deaths among women living with HIV fell from 41 500 in 2005 to 33 000 in 2010.

Despite significant progress, challenges remain. In sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS continues to be the leading cause of maternal death. And among children born to HIV-positive women, one in five was infected with HIV through pregnancy or breastfeeding in 2011.

The Global Plan

Spearheaded by UNAIDS and the U.S. Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator, the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive was unveiled in June 2011 at the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS. It has two main targets for 2015: a 90% reduction in the number of children newly infected with HIV and a 50% reduction in the number of AIDS-related maternal deaths.

Reaching these targets will require accelerated action across a number of key areas including: preventing HIV infections among women of reproductive age; avoiding unintended pregnancies; reducing HIV transmission from mother to child; and providing treatment, care and support to mothers living with HIV and their families.

Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Bill Gates were part of an inspirational evening to usher in the beginning of the end of AIDS

WASHINGTON, DC/GENEVA, 21 July 2012—On the eve of the opening of the historic International AIDS Conference, a stellar cast of artists, political leaders, and community activists came to Washington, D.C. to mark more than three decades of the global response to the HIV epidemic.

The event, held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, united some of the leading voices in the global effort to achieve an AIDS-free generation. Participants included Bill Gates, Alicia Keys, Annie Lennox, Joan Osborne, Patti Austin, Herbie Hancock, bipartisan members of Congress, and prominent AIDS advocates from the worlds of business, science, and civil society.

Uniting for an AIDS-free generation—the theme of the event—took the audience on a historical journey through the history of AIDS, highlighting the early days of the epidemic and key milestones in the world’s response to the disease. Through music and personal anecdotes, guests shared experiences of how HIV has shaped society and brought forward a global movement never before witnessed for a disease.

“I come to Washington with a dream: the dream of getting to zero. The great Martin Luther King said, ‘Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’ It is a question all leaders must ask themselves,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “The 30-year journey of AIDS has been marked with the extraordinary courage of those who answered this question—who guided us on this road that has not always been easy or straight. It is thanks to the solidarity of many partners, such as ONE, the Business Leadership Council and the Nelson Mandela Foundation, that the dream of ending AIDS is steadily becoming a reality.”

"Events like this remind me of the exceptional community dedicated to the fight against AIDS. It is truly an effort that unites people from every corner of the world, of all political persuasions and faiths, in an effort to rid our planet of this epidemic,” said Michael Elliott, the CEO of ONE. “This is an historic opportunity for us to renew our commitments in the fight against AIDS. Let’s grasp that opportunity.”

UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and musician Annie Lennox said, “For thirty years, global HIV activists and campaigners have been working to create the effective and lasting changes we need to see before we reach the stage of zero HIV infections. We are now at a crucial point in history when could actually see the dream become a reality in our lifetime. It is therefore, absolutely imperative that we see this thing through. We can, and we must.”

Renowned musician and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, who performed with Ms Lennox, added "We hope the music and words tonight will continue to inspire the world to end AIDS. We need everyone to join their voices in solidarity with people living with HIV."

Other highlights of the evening included a performance by the African Children’s Choir and remarks from Valerie Jarrett, Miss Barbara Bush, Sen. Norman Coleman (R-Minn.), Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Tony Fauci, Kay Warren, Shelea Frazier, Jake Glaser, Cleve Jones, Noerine Kaleeba, Vicki Kennedy, Kweku Mandela, John Megrue, Andrea Mitchell, Aaron Motsoaledi (Minister of Health, South Africa) Jackline Odongo, and Jurnee Smollett.

The event kicked off the weeklong AIDS 2012 conference, being held in the U.S. for the first time in more than two decades.

World´s leading HIV/AIDS Scientists and Stakeholders to gather in Washington D.C. to discuss Global Alliance on HIV Cure research

Thursday, 19 July, 2012 (Washington D.C, US)--The Inaugural Global Scientific Strategy Towards an HIV Cure was launched today ahead of the XIX International AIDS Conference amid renewed optimism from the world´s  leading HIV/AIDS scientists that the future prospects for finding an HIV cure are increasing.    

Over the past two years the International AIDS Society (IAS) has convened a group of international experts to develop a roadmap for research towards an HIV cure.  Published online in an abridged form  tomorrow, Friday July 20, in  Nature Reviews Immunology, Towards an HIV Cure identifies seven important priority areas for basic, translational and clinical research and maps out a path for future research  collaboration and funding opportunities.(1)

“The strategy is the result of a collaborative effort which has produced a roadmap that will constructively move HIV Cure research forward,” said Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, the co-discoverer of HIV, Director of the Regulation of Retroviral Infections Unit at the Institut Pasteur in Paris and the IAS President-Elect. Barré-Sinoussi, together with Professor Steven Deeks, Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, is co-chair of the group of 34 leading HIV scientists and clinicians who have developed the Global Scientific Strategy. Professor Barré-Sinoussi and Professor Deeks state the case for HIV cure research in a commentary piece published today in Nature. (2)

“The science has been telling us for some time now that achieving a cure for HIV infection could be a realistic possibility.  The time is right to take the opportunity to try and develop an HIV cure – we might regret never having tried,” concluded Barré-Sinoussi at the D.C. launch.

The vision for the IAS strategy for an HIV cure is very clear: a safe, affordable and scalable cure will improve the health and quality-of-life for those with established infection, reduce the risk of transmission of virus to those not infected, and ultimately allow resources to be shifted to other needs.

 "Finding a cure for AIDS is a critical innovation gap," said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS at the launch in D.C. "A cure will bring new hope to people living with HIV and their loved ones and could end the cycle of stigma and discrimination."Major investments in science have resulted in the worldwide availability of over 20 anti-HIV drugs. When used in combination, these drugs restore health, prolong life and reduce transmission of the virus. HIV-infected individuals who harbour drug-susceptible virus, who have access to antiretroviral drugs, who can tolerate the drug side effects, toxicities, and other complications, and who are able to adhere to therapy can maintain control of HIV infection indefinitely.

Despite these successes, these therapies have limitations. They do not eradicate HIV, requiring people to remain on expensive and potentially toxic drugs for life. They do not fully restore health as patients still experience co-morbidities such as increased cardiovascular disease, bone disorders or cognitive impairment.  They are expensive and difficult to deliver to all in need.

Although the cost of delivering antiretroviral drugs to the more than 34 million people now living with HIV has decreased substantially, and the availability of these drugs in resource-poor settings has steadily increased, the costs associated with delivering antiretroviral drugs is overwhelming many organizations and public health systems. Estimates put the cost of the funding response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2015 between US$22-24 billion per year (3) and between US$19-35 billion per year by 2031, with antiretroviral treatment accounting for up to 70 per cent of the total cost of care in the most affected countries. (4)

It is estimated that for every person starting treatment, two are newly infected, a path that is clearly unsustainable.

Given these limitations, there is growing recognition that the search for an HIV Cure is an imperative both in terms of the individual and public health benefits it would provide and also an opportunity to potentially avoid the long-term cumulative costs of ART. (5)

Also, an effective and scalable HIV cure will likely achieve what preventative approaches aim to do, which is to essentially stop transmission of HIV to those who are uninfected and restore the immunological function and normal health to those who are infected (6).

The renewed optimism in the search for an HIV Cure amongst scientists is based on a number of scientific advances that are helping to shed light on why it is that HIV remains persistent.

Scientists have known for some time now that latent HIV reservoirs, where HIV hides and persists, are one of the main barriers to finding a cure. This is precisely why treatment does not eradicate HIV and why, when treatment is stopped, the virus rebounds.

“What we haven’t had until very recently is clear insights into why HIV persists during therapy,” said Steven Deeks, at the launch in Washington, D.C. “Our basic understanding of the mechanisms of HIV persistence in latent reservoirs is far superior than it was a decade ago. We are entering a stage in the epidemic in which we can seriously begin testing drugs that either prevent latency or which force the virus out of its hiding place, make it susceptible to our current drugs.” (7)

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, 28 January 2012—UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé called today on African governments to take on a greater share of AIDS investments in their own countries and across the region. Addressing an audience of Heads of State and Government attending the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Mr Sidibé said that financing a sustainable response to the HIV epidemic in Africa will require home grown and innovative solutions that meet the needs of the African people.

An estimated two-thirds of AIDS expenditures in Africa come from international funding sources, according to a new UNAIDS issues brief titled “AIDS dependency crisis: sourcing African solutions.” The vast majority of life-saving antiretroviral medicines consumed in Africa are imported from generic manufacturers. While the costs of HIV drug regimens have declined significantly in recent years, they remain high and unsustainable, and prices must be further reduced to reach all people eligible for treatment.

“Africa is too dependent on external resources, especially for the AIDS response,” said Mr Sidibé. “This is a source of great risk and potential instability. The status quo cannot be sustained—it is time for a new development paradigm that is developed and owned by the leaders of Africa.”

The UNAIDS Executive Director outlined opportunities for strengthened ownership of development investments in Africa. A single African Medicines Regulatory Agency could expedite the roll-out of quality-assured HIV drugs, he said. The development of centers of excellence in Africa could catalyze the local production of high-quality HIV medicines and build Africa’s knowledge-based economy, he added.

Speaking alongside Mr Sidibé at a press conference on 28 January, Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), said that reaching the 10 targets in the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS would only be possible through increased investment in the HIV response by African countries. “The current development model is not sustainable, particularly in this global economic downturn. African leaders must take greater ownership of AIDS investments across the region,” he said.

UNAIDS estimates that Africa will require between US$ 11-12 billion for its AIDS response by 2015—US$ 3-4 billion more than the current expenditure. African countries could help bridge the continent’s AIDS resource gap by mobilizing funding from a range of sources. Revenue could be obtained by taxing alcohol and tobacco consumption or the use of mobile telephones. Additional funding could be leveraged through public-private partnerships with Africa’s increasingly powerful companies. African leaders could also explore the wider use of “soft loans” from the African Development Bank.

The new UNAIDS brief also emphasized the continued importance of shared responsibility in the HIV response—of countries and donors. Significant and sustained international investments will be required for the AIDS response in Africa, even if African countries meet the 2001 Abuja Declaration target of a 15% allocation of government revenue for the health sector.

“Increased investments are needed from both African and high-income countries,” said Mr Sidibé. “External aid is not going to disappear and African governments must negotiate more predictable, sustainable HIV investments from international partners.”

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, 4 December 2011—The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Office (FHAPCO) in collaboration with partners released today a National Accelerated Plan for Scaling up Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) Services in Ethiopia.

“With this plan, we are stepping up our efforts to reach many more millions of mothers and babies with PMTCT services in the next four years to ensure an HIV-free generation in our nation,” said Ethiopia’s Minster of Health, Dr Tedros A. Ghebreyesus, who launched the plan at a press conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, together with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

Ethiopia is one of 22 sub-Saharan African countries that succeeded in reducing their national rate of new HIV infections by 25% between 2001 and 2009. According to government estimates, approximately 1.2 million people were living with HIV in Ethiopia in 2010, including about 90 000 pregnant women. Despite progress in the national HIV response, only 9.3% of pregnant women who are eligible for HIV services are currently receiving them.

In June 2011, Ethiopia signed on to the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive. As part of this effort, the national plan aims to boost both the rapid expansion and delivery of integrated quality maternal and child health and PMTCT services. The overall aim is to ensure that all pregnant women living with HIV have access to HIV prevention and treatment services, and that new HIV infections among children are eliminated by 2015.

“UNAIDS believes that children everywhere can be born HIV free,” said Mr Sidibé. “Through this new national plan, I am confident that Ethiopia will succeed in eliminating new HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive.”

The national accelerated emergency plan includes three targeted objectives:

• Reaching 90% of pregnant women with access to antenatal care services
• Ensuring that all pregnant women have access to delivery by a skilled attendant.
• Providing antiretroviral prophylaxis to at least 80% of HIV-positive pregnant women.

“We commend the Government of Ethiopia for its commitment towards the Global Plan for the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive. PEPFAR has a long history of working hand in hand with the Government of Ethiopia and we continue to support Ethiopia’s commitment to the scale up of PMTCT,” said Ambassador Eric Goosby, the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.

The plan further identifies the crucial role of male partners in scaling up programmes to stop new HIV infections among children in Ethiopia. The Federal Ministry of Health through FHAPCO, in collaboration with UNAIDS, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and PEPFAR, will implement a national communications campaign aimed at influencing public knowledge, attitudes and opinions around male involvement for the prevention of new HIV infections in children.

As part of this national campaign, a one-minute television public service announcement on male involvement, released today, will be widely aired throughout the country in the four main national languages via various media channels.

BUSAN, South Korea, 26 August 2011—“JYJ,” a three-member Korean pop (K-pop) band from the Republic of Korea, have been named UNAIDS Regional Goodwill Ambassadors for Asia and the Pacific. Formed in 2010, JYJ has a large following among young people in the Republic of Korea, across Asia and beyond.

“Jae joong, Yoochan and Jun su (JYJ) are going to make a big difference in the AIDS response through the UNAIDS Ambassadorship,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “With their incredible popularity and influence in the Republic of Korea and beyond, I count on them to reach millions of young people in this region and worldwide with important HIV messages,” he added. 

As UNAIDS Regional Goodwill Ambassadors, JYJ will take part in a number of events and public appearances—including a performance at the Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP10), a gathering of AIDS experts and activists from 26-30 August 2011 in Busan, South Korea. Through these and other events, JYJ will raise awareness around HIV and join the effort to end AIDS-related stigma and discrimination. They will also highlight AIDS issues through their social media networks.

“Young people in our country, and across Asia, need to know more about avoiding HIV infection,” said JYJ band member Jae joong at a press conference in Busan to announce the UNAIDS appointment. “Knowledge and awareness can help people protect themselves and break down stigma and discrimination.” His band-mate Yoochun concurred, adding: “AIDS has been here since before I was born. Our generation can be the one that ends it!”

“We can reach the goals of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths,” said Jun su, the third JYJ band member. “We are very proud to participate in this cause.”

JYJ have previously been involved in a number of charitable activities. They have made major donations to relief operations in disaster-struck areas of Japan, as well as to child health campaigns. Underlining their commitment to the AIDS response, JYJ recently accepted the role of ‘Official Ambassador’ for ICAAP10.

Globally, an estimated 41% of people who have recently become HIV-positive are younger than the age of 25. In Asia and the Pacific, young people from key affected populations— including young sex workers, men who have sex with men, and adolescent drug users— face a particularly high risk of HIV infection as well as high levels of stigma and discrimination.

Significant progress towards reducing child and maternal mortality is being made but to meet the Millennium Development Goals 4,5,6, strategies aimed at reaching the world’s most inaccessible, marginalized and vulnerable populations will be required, health leaders said today.

It is with profound sadness that UNAIDS mourns the death of staff member Mr Sam Were who recently passed away in Kampala, Uganda. Sam lived openly with HIV and served as a role model by declaring his HIV-positive status at a time when few people living with HIV were willing to disclose.

UNAIDS today acknowledges the life and legacy of Dr Jonathan Mann, a formative force in the fields of HIV, health and human rights. Dr Mann and his wife, AIDS researcher Mary-Lou Clements-Mann were on their way to Geneva when their plane crashed off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada on 2 September 1998.