GENEVA, 23 June 2011—The governing body of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Programme Coordinating Board, met in Geneva from 21-23 June to review progress and put in place new measures to ensure greater efficiency and accountability in the AIDS response.

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, presented his progress report on the first day of the meeting in which he highlighted the successful outcome of the 2011 United Nations High Level Meeting on AIDS. He also stressed the significance of the adoption of a new Security Council Resolution on AIDS which addresses the link between violence against women and HIV in conflict and post conflict settings.

At the High Level Meeting on AIDS, UN Member States adopted a new Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS which sets bold new targets in responding to HIV. “This declaration has set the agenda for the future of the AIDS response and provided a roadmap for ending the epidemic,” said Mr Sidibé.

During his speech the Executive Director of UNAIDS also outlined the need to reinforce the concept of shared responsibility in responding to AIDS, particularly at a time when international resources for AIDS are declining. “We need a new type of partnership, a new way to do business which will mean a shift away from donor dependence, towards country owned and country led responses,” he said.

The main item on the agenda of the 28^th Meeting of UNAIDS’ Programme Coordinating Board was the Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework 2012-2015, which was unanimously endorsed by the Board. The Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework has been designed to improve the coherence, coordination and impact of the UN’s response to AIDS, to maximize the impact of the UNAIDS family at country level.

The Accountability Framework will ensure accountability in both programmatic results and in delivering value for money. The Board requested the UNAIDS Secretariat to produce annual reports on the implementation of the framework.

The meeting also included discussions on ensuring that food and nutrition security are integrated into HIV programming. The Board requested UNAIDS to review national AIDS strategies to identify gaps and needs in including food and nutrition and to implement an action plan to address the needs.

More than 300 participants and observers from UN Member States, international organizations, civil society and non-governmental organizations attended the meeting, which was chaired by El Salvador with Poland acting as vice chair and Egypt as rapporteur.

The UNAIDS Executive Director’s report to the Board, the decisions, recommendations and conclusions, and an overview of all documents presented at the 28th PCB can be found at: unaids.org  

NEW YORK, 7 June 2011—As the world marks 30 years of AIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) unveils OUTLOOK 30, a book with a compilation of 30 milestones, images, tributes, breakthroughs, art and inspirations in the epidemic’s 30-year history.

“AIDS has united the world, broken the conspiracy of silence, connected the north and the south to find solutions, and forged a social movement,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé. “AIDS has mobilized the world to deliver an unprecedented response which has saved millions of lives.”

The book was released ahead of the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS taking place in New York from 8-10 June. More than 3000 people are expected to assemble at the meeting, which will be instrumental in moving the AIDS response forward. More than 30 Heads of State and Government will join Ministers, private sector partners, civil society and people living with HIV from 8-10 June, to shape the future of the response to HIV.

AIDS timelines

The special edition of OUTLOOK illustrates timelines on three issues that have shaped the AIDS response—the evolution of access to antiretroviral treatment; HIV/Tuberculosis (TB) and the use of condoms.

The treatment timeline traces the path that has led to a record number of people living with HIV receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy —6.6 million in 2010, a nearly 22-fold increase since 2001—thanks to the combined efforts of government, civil society and the international community.

The HIV-TB timeline presents major developments in the joint response to HIV and TB. These include the first reports in 1983 of an association between TB and HIV among people living with AIDS in Haiti; a finding 20 years later, in 2003, that only about 3% of people with TB are tested for HIV; and the release of 2009 estimates showing that TB continues to be a leading cause of death among people living with HIV, accounting for about 380 000 deaths.

The condom timeline traces the history of the condom—from ancient Egypt through modern times. “Many people made their own condoms at home before the 20th century,” says historian Aine Collier. “In fact, it was very much a cottage industry, as most condom ‘manufacturers’ worked from their own kitchens.”

Art and AIDS

The book presents a range of posters from around the world that show the diverse visual strategies used over the years to communicate messages on AIDS awareness and safer sex.

It also features a selection of paintings by celebrated New York artist Keith Haring, who died of an AIDS-related illness in 1990, as well as Canadian graphic designer Morgan McConnell and New Delhi-based artists Jiten Thukral and Sumir Tagra. The publication also includes a reproduction of the Keiskamma Altarpiece, an extraordinary message of peace through art which was created by a group of 130 women from Hamburg and neighbouring villages in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, an area deeply affected by the AIDS epidemic.

Faces of AIDS

Two chapters in the book bring out the human face of the epidemic. Six activists who have lost their lives to AIDS are remembered through their writings, speeches and recollections by their friends. The book also profiles people living with HIV. These include Olympian Greg Louganis, Miss Positive from Russian Federation Svetlana Izambaeva, a student form Brazil, Micaela Syrina, a Constitutional Judge from South Africa, Edwin Cameron and Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom Chris Smith.

“I wanted my story to motivate the people living with HIV to be responsible and to understand that life isn’t over yet,” said Mr Louganis. “Some people don’t think that AIDS has touched their lives. A lot of people saw me at the Olympics and they were cheering for me. All those people cannot say that they have not been affected by AIDS.”

Looking into the future

The book also presents an analysis of current HIV prevention approaches, human rights and AIDS, gender disparities, HIV data, resources available for the AIDS response and recent advancements in the field of science.

“OUTLOOK 30 will inspire a new generation to learn from the lessons of the last three decades and take the AIDS response forward,” said Mr Sidibé. “The book is both a reminder of the past and I hope an inspiration for the future.”

Unprecedented numbers Heads of State and Government and Vice Presidents to attend UN meeting on AIDS in New York

New York/Geneva, 31 May 2011—As the AIDS response reaches a critical turning point, world leaders are showing renewed commitment to AIDS as more than 30 Heads of State and Government and Vice Presidents are expected to convene at next week’s UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS. The top level support is coming at a decisive moment in the AIDS response as more people than ever before are living with HIV but international funding for AIDS is seen to be declining.

The top level leaders will join ministers and other UN Member State representatives to commit to new ways forward in responding to AIDS. There will also be strong participation from civil society and other actors from the AIDS movement who will join discussions on how to take the AIDS response to the next level.

“The commitment we are seeing for this meeting from world leaders is an extremely positive signal and is coming at a critical time,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “This meeting will provide a real opportunity for countries to take ownership of the response and produce a strong and visionary declaration to guide global efforts in reaching universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2015.”

Negotiations have already begun around the text for the final declaration which is expected to be adopted on the last day of the meeting.

Since the first Special Session on AIDS was held at the United Nations in 2001 significant progress has been made in reducing numbers of new HIV infections, in accessing treatment, in reducing the number of AIDS-related deaths and in addressing stigma and discrimination. However, if efforts in responding to the epidemic are not sustained and scaled-up, the important results which have been accomplished risk being reversed.

“The AIDS response is a shared responsibility,” said Mr Sidibé. “There are more people in need than resources available. To address this need, both donor and low- and middle- income countries need to contribute their fair share.”

The meeting is being held at the United Nations in New York from 8-10 June. For more information including the official programme and details of media accreditation, see the following link: http://www.un.org/en/ga/aidsmeeting2011/

GENEVA, 13 May 2011—UNAIDS today launched a television and social media campaign to create a groundswell of support for the AIDS response in the lead-up to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS. This key meeting of UN Member States and civil society, from 8-10 June 2011, is an important opportunity for global leaders to move the AIDS agenda forward.

“The aim of this campaign is to reenergize the global AIDS movement and encourage leaders around the world to recommit to the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support,” said Tim Martineau, UNAIDS Director of Programme Effectiveness and Country Support, at a campaign launch event in Geneva.

The campaign, called Move It!, uses the bicycle as a vehicle to raise awareness around HIV— the spinning wheels symbolizing the movement and force of the AIDS response. Designed by the Geneva-based branch of advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi, simple animations on spinning bicycle wheels communicate the message: Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination, Zero AIDS-related deaths. As part of the campaign, a public service announcement will be broadcast across Africa.

“Through this campaign, people can decorate their own bikes with animations and share photos of their creations on the UNAIDS page of Facebook to support this great cause,” said Leon Jacobs, a creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi. “We are pleased to support UNAIDS in their efforts to roll out this campaign across Africa and the world,” he added.

UNAIDS fans on Facebook can vote for the “best bike” and winners be announced at the High Level Meeting in June.

Geneva, 6 May 2011—President Mahamadou Issoufou, Niger’s newly-elected Head of State, will lead a delegation at the June 2011 High Level Meeting on AIDS, including the First Lady, the Coordinator of the National AIDS Commission and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Public Health, Finance, Population, the Promotion of Women and Child Protection. The delegation will also include representatives from associations of people living with HIV, as well as from a youth network, a faith-based coalition, the private sector and an
HIV-focused non-governmental organization.

“I thank President Issoufou and everyone joining the Nigerien delegation for their planned engagement in the High Level Meeting on AIDS,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “The participation of this large and diverse delegation sends an important message that Niger is committed to keeping AIDS at the top of its political agenda,” he added. The High Level Meeting will be held at the United Nations in New York City from 8-10 June 2011.

An estimated 0.8% of the adult population in Niger is living with HIV. However, HIV prevalence in the country is considerably higher among key populations, particularly sex workers. In recent years, the Government of Niger and its partners have put in place strategies to accelerate HIV prevention among sex workers and other populations at higher risk of HIV exposure.

Geneva, 6 May 2011—President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has confirmed his participation in this year’s UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS. The gathering of Heads of State and high-level representatives from government, the scientific community, civil society and the private sector will be a unique opportunity to review and renew global commitments for the AIDS response.

“The High Level Meeting will be a milestone in the global AIDS response,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “As the leader of a country that is heavily impacted by the epidemic, President Jonathan’s voice and engagement in this meeting will be critical to move the AIDS agenda forward,” he added. The High Level Meeting will be held in New York City from 8-10 June 2011.  

Nigeria has the second largest population of people living with HIV after South Africa. The estimated HIV prevalence among adults in Nigeria is 3.6%, with wide variations across the country.

In recent years, Nigeria has made progress in its efforts to expand access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. According to UNAIDS estimates, coverage of antiretroviral treatment in Nigeria reached 21% in 2009, up from 1% coverage in 2004.

Stellenbosch/Geneva, 2 May 2011—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Stellenbosch University have brought together technology leaders, AIDS activists, social media experts and young people to discuss how social media and mobile technologies can be leveraged for HIV prevention.

The event, which is taking place at the Stellenbosch University in South Africa, is being held to find new ways of reaching young people with information about how to prevent HIV. This is particularly important at a time when globally only 1 in 3 young people have complete knowledge of how HIV is transmitted and 7000 people are becoming newly infected each day.

“We must engage young people in defining the prevention interventions that work for them,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “The potential of social media and mobile technologies to re-energize the AIDS movement is clear. We need nothing less than an HIV prevention revolution, with social media and mobile technology at its core.”

The Internet and social media are widely used around the world, particularly by young people. Data released recently by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) shows that there are 333 million mobile telephone users in Africa and 77 million Internet users. Nigeria alone has 44 million people connected to the Internet.

Social media and mobile technology can be used effectively to raise awareness about HIV and provide correct information on HIV prevention. They also lend themselves to facilitating peer-to-peer education and discussions about HIV and creating social movements calling for action.

“The point where social media and mobile technology converge with innovation is where we need to focus our collective efforts in the HIV prevention response to ensure that our young people are not left behind in our endeavour to halt the spread of this epidemic,” said Prof. Jan du Toit, Director of the African Centre for HIV/AIDS Management at Stellenbosch University.

The discussions are being livestreamed and will include question and answer sessions via Facebook at www.facebook.com/unaids and on Twitter (@UNAIDS).

“Effective use of social media and mobile technology in this field will bring hope to a generation whose future continues to be threatened by HIV,” said Prof. Russel Botman, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University.

The event is part of UNAIDS’ strategy to inspire and catalyze young people to use social media to ignite an HIV prevention revolution. It forms part of a series of events taking place in and around Cape Town and Stellenbosch on the occasion of the first meeting of the UNAIDS High Level Commission on HIV Prevention. Other events include a meeting of a new generation of AIDS activists with the HIV prevention commission on Robben Island on 3 May and a condom march, led by the Treatment Action Campaign, on 4 May in Khayelitsha.

Geneva, 26 April 2011—The Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dr Denzil Douglas, will attend the United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, a gathering of global leaders in New York City from 8-10 June 2011. Dr Douglas has lead responsibility for health and HIV within the Caribbean Community.

“Prime Minister Douglas’ pledge to attend the June meeting sends an important message that Saint Kitts and Nevis is committed to reenergizing the global AIDS movement, together with other world leaders,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

In 2001, United Nations Member States came together for the first historic meeting on HIV, the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS. At the follow-up review in 2006, the High Level Meeting on AIDS, Member States committed to pursue all efforts to achieve the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

The High Level Meeting in June 2011 will provide an important platform for UN Member States to evaluate achievements and gaps in the global HIV response and shape the future course of the epidemic.

President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau announces firm commitment to help ensure AIDS remains at the top of global agendas

Geneva, 18 April 2011—The President of Fiji,  Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, has underlined his firm commitment and leadership on driving forward the AIDS agenda as he confirms his attendance to the High Level Meeting on AIDS, taking place at the UN in New York from 8-10 June.

“The High Level Meeting is an important milestone for the AIDS response. We must strive to refocus global efforts to ensure HIV remains high on the agenda,” said President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, a longstanding supporter on AIDS and former UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador. “Millions of people have died, millions are in need of treatment, and thousands of people are becoming infected every day. Complacency on AIDS at this critical time is not an option.”

In Fiji, as elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region, increased action on AIDS is reaping results and the AIDS epidemic is stabilising. However, new infections are still outstripping the number of people being newly starting treatment, and stigma and discrimination are posing serious obstacles to scaling-up progress.

Underlining his continued personal drive to lead on AIDS issues, President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau announced his support to the AIDS response and the High Level Meeting at the ‘Positive Pacific Gathering 2011’, a meeting that brings together representatives of people living with HIV from the Pacific Island Countries.

“President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau is one of our most dedicated advocates on AIDS and his continued leadership is an example to all,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “His engagement in the June meeting will play a major role in securing the future of the response.”

As part of the High Level Meetings proceedings, President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau will also engage in a special Heads of State session, hosted by the President of Rwanda. The session will unite leaders in shaping the future of AIDS, health and development.

Geneva, 15 April 2011—President Alpha Condé and the First Lady, Ms Djene Kaba Condé, will participate in this year’s UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS. The announcement came during a two-day official visit by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé to the West African nation of Guinea Conakry.

The High Level Meeting, from 8-10 June 2011, is widely seen as an important opportunity to revitalize the global AIDS movement and achieve the UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

“I commend President Condé for his commitment and leadership on HIV,” said Mr Sidibé, after a meeting with Guinea’s Head of State on Thursday. “His presence at the High Level Meeting will be critical to advancing the AIDS response here in Guinea, and globally,” he added.

Over the past decade, Guinea has made significant strides in its national response to HIV. Between 2001 and 2009, Guinea saw a 25% reduction in its rate of new HIV infections. Coverage of antiretroviral treatment in the country reached 40% in 2009, up from just 3% in 2004. Furthermore, HIV prevalence in Guinea has remained relatively low since 2006, at about 1% of the adult population.