On this World AIDS Day, let us also reflect on the lives lost to Ebola, on the countries and people affected by the outbreak in West Africa.

The Ebola outbreak reminds us of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. People were hiding and scared. Stigma and discrimination were widespread. There were no medicines and there was little hope.

But today, thanks to global solidarity, social mobilization and civil society activism, we have been able, together, to transform tragedy into opportunity. We have been able to break the conspiracy of silence, to reduce the price of medicines and break the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic. This has saved millions of lives.

We now have to break the epidemic for good. If we don’t, it could spring back and it will be impossible to end.

We have a short five-year window of opportunity to reach the people who are being left behind, people who have been denied their rights—young women and adolescent girls, men who have sex with men, migrants, prisoners, sex workers, people who inject drugs.

To do this we need to ensure that health systems are strengthened to provide the essential services that are needed and civil society has to be supported so it can continue to play its vital role.

On World AIDS Day 2014, it is time to redouble our efforts, to fast-track our actions and close the gap between people who have access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services and people who are being left behind.

By fast-tracking countries, cities and communities we can reach people most affected by HIV. And with Fast-Track Targets like 90–90–90 we can ensure that, by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV know their status, 90% of people who know their HIV positive status are on treatment and that 90% of people on treatment have suppressed viral loads.

So, let us join together this World AIDS Day to close the gap and end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

GENEVA, 6 November 2014—UNAIDS welcomes Namibia’s Supreme Court decision to uphold the Namibian High Court finding that three women living with HIV were subjected to coercive sterilization in public hospitals without their informed consent.

“This is a great victory for all women in Namibia and the world. This decision reinforces the right to sexual and reproductive health for all women, irrespective of their HIV status,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal follows the 30 July 2012 ruling of the High Court of Namibia—in the first formal court case of its kind in Africa—that medical practitioners have a “legal duty to obtain informed consent from a patient” and that the health service provider could not forcibly obtain consent during labour.  

UNAIDS worked closely with civil society and other key partners in the AIDS response in Namibia to ensure that the voices of the women affected were heard. UNAIDS calls on countries to investigate and address all reported cases of forced sterilization as well as other legal and social practices violating the basic rights of all people in health-care systems.

Women and girls, irrespective of their HIV status, should have access to information and be empowered to exercise their sexual and reproductive health rights. UNAIDS will continue to mobilize governments and communities to ensure that everyone has access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Independent monitoring bodies of two PrEP trials recommend offering antiretroviral therapy to all study participants

GENEVA, 29 October 2014—UNAIDS warmly welcomes strong indications from two ongoing trials of the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy in preventing new HIV infections among men who have sex with men.

The IPERGAY trial, conducted by the ANRS, the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis, enrolled 400 men who have sex with men in France to establish the efficacy of taking the antiretroviral combination of tenofovir/emtricitabine as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) before and after sex rather than daily. The data safety and monitoring board for the IPERGAY trial reviewed data for the study and found a “very significant” reduction in the risk of HIV infection in the group of participants using tenofovir/emtricitabine as PrEP compared to the placebo group. The monitoring board subsequently recommended that the placebo group be stopped and that all trial participants should be offered tenofovir/emtricitabine as PrEP. 

This announcement follows a recent decision to amend the PROUD study in the United Kingdom. In the PROUD study, the participants were initially placed at random into two groups—one group that used PrEP from the start of the study and another group that was due to receive PrEP after 12 months. However, the independent data monitoring committee found that the effectiveness seen in the trial exceeded the threshold set for trial continuation and recommended that the researchers offer daily PrEP to all study participants immediately.

Neither study is ready to present the full data for review. However, both independent monitoring bodies were clear that the results were so convincing that it would be unethical to allow the participants to continue without receiving PrEP. The final results of the IPERGAY and PROUD trials are expected to be presented in early 2015. Once the results are confirmed, antiretroviral therapy taken as PrEP before and after sex could become an additional HIV prevention option for men who have sex with men.

UNAIDS underlines that no single intervention is completely protective in preventing HIV transmission, which is why UNAIDS advocates strongly for combination HIV prevention. This includes correct and consistent use of condoms, delaying sexual debut, having fewer sexual partners, male circumcision, access to antiretroviral therapy, reducing stigma and discrimination, and the removal of punitive laws. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 1 August 2014—UNAIDS welcomes the decision of Uganda’s Constitutional Court to overturn the law that called for a 14-year jail term for a first conviction, and imprisonment for life for ‘aggravated homosexuality’. Challenged by 10 petitioners including civil society, parliamentarians and academics, the law was annulled by the Court over a lack of quorum when the bill was passed.

“This is a great day for social justice,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “The rule of law has prevailed.”

UNAIDS urges the protection and safety of all people seeking health services. While homosexuality remains illegal in Uganda annulling the law could have positive public health implications. Studies show that when gay men and other men who have sex with men face discrimination including abuse, incarceration and prosecution—they are less likely to seek HIV testing, prevention and treatment services.

“President Yoweri Museveni had personally indicated to me—that he wants Uganda to accelerate its AIDS response to ensure all people have access to life-saving services,” said Mr Sidibé.

UNAIDS urges all governments around the world, to protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people through repealing criminal laws against adult consensual same sex sexual conduct; implementing laws to protect people from violence and discrimination; promoting campaigns that address homophobia and transphobia; and ensuring access to health services including HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Law confirms no restrictions on entry, stay or residence and guarantees access to treatment for all.

GENEVA, 24 July 2014—UNAIDS welcomes new HIV legislation in the Comoros that protects people living with HIV from all forms of discrimination and reinforces an enabling legal environment for prevention, treatment, care and support programmes.

The new law, which came into force in June 2014, explicitly protects the free movement of people living with HIV and prohibits any restriction on entry, stay or residence based on HIV status.

Among other provisions, the law guarantees that HIV treatment is available to nationals and non-nationals living with HIV. It also ensures that people in prisons and other closed settings have access to HIV prevention and treatment services. Mandatory HIV testing as a condition of employment and termination of employment because of a person’s HIV status are prohibited.

“More countries need to follow the bold and inclusive example of the Comoros, ensuring that no one is denied opportunities because of their HIV status,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment programmes, underpinned by an enabling legal environment, will help make it possible to end the epidemic by 2030,” he added.

With the recent clarification received from the Government of the Comoros, UNAIDS counts 38 countries, territories and areas that still have HIV-related restrictions on entry, stay and residence.

HIV treated as other chronic conditions in immigration health assessment.

GENEVA, 10 July 2014—UNAIDS welcomes confirmation from the Government of Australia that people living with HIV do not face an automatic exclusion, or unequal treatment when applying for entry, stay or residence visas. People living with HIV are treated similarly to other people with chronic health conditions and disabilities during the country’s immigration health assessment process. Applications for visas from people living with HIV will be assessed against criteria applying to anyone with a chronic health condition.

The announcement came ahead of the 20th International AIDS Conference, which will take place in Melbourne, Australia, from 20 to 25 July 2014.

“People living with HIV need equal opportunity to contribute to and benefit from today’s globalized world, where migration is increasingly important. Eliminating travel restrictions is not only a human right for individuals, it improves business prospects for communities,” said the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé.

UNAIDS advocates for the right to equal freedom of movement, regardless of HIV status. There is no evidence that restrictions on the entry, stay or residence of people living with HIV protect the public’s health. In 2012, more than 40 chief executives from some of the world’s largest companies signed a pledge opposing HIV restrictions, calling them discriminatory and bad for business.

As part of its ongoing dialogue with countries on this issue, UNAIDS has sent communications to all countries, territories and areas that appear to have HIV-related entry, stay and residence restrictions, and has raised the issue during official high-level visits. Australia has made important reforms to its migration health assessment requirements and procedures since the conclusion of a parliamentary inquiry on migration and disability in 2010, including an annual increase to the “significant cost threshold”, the elimination of the cost assessment related to health services for humanitarian visa applicants and improvements to increase the transparency of the health assessment process. These reforms were assessed against the criteria outlined by the International Task Team on HIV-related Travel Restrictions, co-chaired by the Government of Norway and UNAIDS,  and it was concluded that Australia had met the task team’s standard.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

MELBOURNE/GENEVA, 18 July 2014—UNAIDS expresses deep sadness over the loss of life of the passengers and crew of flight MH17, which crashed over eastern Ukraine on Thursday, 17 July 2014.

While the full details are still unclear, it is believed that many of the passengers were on their way to participate in the International AIDS Conference in Melbourne, Australia. It has been confirmed that the United Nations has lost a colleague from the World Health Organization.

It seems that some of the finest academics, health-care workers and activists in the AIDS response may have perished while travelling to take part in the international gathering of experts and advocates. Professor Joep Lange, the former President of the International AIDS Society, was among the victims. Professor Lange was a leading light in the field since the early days of HIV and worked unceasingly to widen access to antiretroviral medicines around the world.

“We are bracing ourselves to hear of the deaths of others who worked in the AIDS response as their names are officially released,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “The UNAIDS family is in deep shock. Our hearts go out to the families of all the victims of this tragic crash. The deaths of so many committed people working against HIV will be a great loss for the AIDS response.”

The UNAIDS family stands in solidarity with the families, friends and colleagues of all who have perished in this tragedy. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

GENEVA, 18 May 2014—On HIV Vaccine Awareness Day UNAIDS is urging for global efforts to be stepped up to find an effective HIV vaccine and accelerate progress towards ending the AIDS epidemic.

“Although great strides have been made in preventing new HIV infections alongside expanding access to treatment, we still don’t have an effective HIV vaccine,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “Finding a vaccine for HIV will be the push we need to achieve zero new HIV infections.”

There have been important breakthroughs in vaccine research in recent years. The RV144 trial, conducted in Thailand and reported in 2009, showed that a vaccine could lower the rate of HIV infection by 31% and provided important clues as to how a more effective vaccine might work. Follow-on studies are now aiming to increase the level and durability of protection.

Recent advances in understanding how the virus behaves, and how the immune system responds, have greatly increased the likelihood of finding an effective vaccine. For example, vaccine trials in monkeys have prevented and cleared HIV infection. Ensuring sustained funding for HIV vaccine research will help to transform promising concepts into effective and affordable HIV vaccines.

“Research is bringing us closer to a vaccine every day, thanks to the tenacity of scientists and support from many donors and communities,” said Margie McGlynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. “Only with sustained commitment can we all continue to build on these promising efforts to develop a rich pipeline of vaccine candidates.”

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Message from UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé

GENEVA, 17 May 2014—“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

Nelson Mandela reminds us that the dignity of each of us can only thrive if we embrace the freedom of all.

We must respect everyone’s freedom to love who they want to and to express who they are. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people have shown immense courage and are sparking a social transformation.

Criminalization of LGBTI people puts entire communities at risk. It keeps those in need of prevention and treatment services out of reach of life-saving interventions.

It is outrageous that in 2014, when we have everything we need to defeat AIDS, we are still fighting prejudice, stigma, active discrimination and homophobic laws in 78 countries around the world.

Not just in the streets, but in courtrooms, classrooms and clinics.

Stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity drive new HIV infections.

We can only be free when we respect the freedom of our LGBTI brothers and sisters.

Let us walk the road to freedom together.

On this International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, I call on everyone to join the transformation to realize our vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

GENEVA, 3 April 2014—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) congratulates Dr Deborah Birx on her confirmation as Ambassador at Large and Coordinator of US Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally, leading the US Government’s international HIV efforts.

Ambassador Birx is a highly respected leader in the field of HIV and until her appointment as Coordinator served as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Global HIV/AIDS.

“Ambassador Birx is widely recognized for her passion and commitment to the AIDS response and has already made a huge impact during her sterling career,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “PEPFAR is a key partner of UNAIDS and I am confident that under Ambassador Birx’s visionary leadership PEPFAR will continue its extraordinary success in preventing new HIV infections and expanding access to treatment.”

Having received widespread recognition for her work in AIDS vaccine research, Ambassador Birx was awarded the US Meritorious Service Medal for her significant contribution to the field. She also played an instrumental role as the Director of the US Military HIV Research Program and as the Director of the Division of Retrovirology at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research from 1996 to 2005.

UNAIDS and PEPFAR are longstanding partners and have collaborated on many initiatives, including expanding access to treatment, stopping new HIV infections among children through the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive, and ensuring a long-term, sustainable response to HIV.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.