This technical update provides public health officials with guidance on applying HIV incidence assays and testing algorithms for recent HIV infection in order to monitor the HIV epidemic and assess the impact of interventions. A major theme of this update is the importance of calibrating two of the key performance characteristics of recent testing infections algorithms—mean duration of recent infection and false recent ratio— to account for the context in which the testing is being done. This technical update also describes several emerging use cases in the application of recent infection testing algorithms and tests, including those for individual-level use. A final section on further research directions is provided to highlight areas that still require investigation.

The present study is a significant contribution to efforts to advance rights-based responses to HIV in Africa and globally. UNAIDS is privileged to have contributed to this report, and we look forward to working with the African Commission, States, civil society and other partners to promote this study and support the implementation of its recommendations, which constitute a milestone in our efforts to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 and to leave no one behind.

This document offers guidance on why and how efforts to Fast-Track HIV prevention, testing and treatment services can and should be grounded in human rights. Beyond being an imperative in themselves, human rights principles and approaches are critical to addressing barriers to HIV services and to achieving HIV targets. Human rights principles and approaches will help maximize the reach and impact of HIV prevention, testing and treatment programmes. They also will help address potential human rights challenges and prevent abuses that may occur in the context of urgent efforts to Fast- Track the achievement of HIV prevention, testing and treatment targets.

This report compiles the latest body of evidence on how stigma and discrimination create barriers across the HIV prevention, testing and treatment cascades and reduce the impact of the AIDS response. The report also brings together best practices on confronting stigma and discrimination, providing a valuable resource for programme managers, policy-makers, health-care providers and communities. The evidence shows that the establishment of people-centred service delivery models, supportive legal and policy frameworks, monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and sensitization training for health-care workers and other duty bearers can promote inclusion and increase access to services.

The International technical guidance on sexuality education (the Guidance) was developed to assist education, health and other relevant authorities in the development and implementation of school-based and out-of-school comprehensive sexuality education programmes and materials. It is immediately relevant for government education ministers and their professional staff, including curriculum developers, school principals and teachers. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), youth workers and young people can also use the document as an advocacy or accountability tool, for example by sharing it with decision-makers as a guide to best practices and/or for its integration within broader agendas, such as the SDGs. The Guidance is also useful for anyone involved in the design, delivery and evaluation of sexuality education programmes both in and out of school, including stakeholders working on quality education, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), adolescent health and/or gender equality, among other issues.

In a world of gender inequalities that disadvantage women and girls, publishing a report on how men are not being reached by health services and are not exercising their right to health may seem counterintuitive. It was indeed perplexing for me to learn that men were less likely than women to know their HIV status and less likely to access and adhere to HIV treatment. As a consequence, more men are likely to die of AIDS-related illnesses than women. As the world strives to reach the high levels of HIV service coverage required to end AIDS as a public health threat, this blind spot in the response to HIV can no longer be ignored.

This report clearly demonstrates the power of the 90–90–90 targets and what can be achieved in a short time. It shows that innovations are possible at every level—from communities to research laboratories, from villages to cities. It illustrates the power of political leadership to make the impossible possible.

All people, regardless of their age, gender, place of residence, sexual orientation or other status, have one body, one life. It does not matter if someone has HIV or breast cancer, a sexually transmitted infection or diabetes—people, no matter what their health needs, require comprehensive health solutions that are accessible, available, acceptable and of good quality. States have a duty to respect, protect and fulfil the right to health of everyone. And the world has committed to Sustainable Development Goal 3, to ensure good health and well-being for all.