The Joint United Nations Programme

A new and forward-looking Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS was adopted unanimously by UN Member States on 2 June at the close of the United Nations General Assembly 2006 High Level Meeting on AIDS in New York (31 May – 2 June). Following intense negotiations on the text among Member States, the final 2006 Declaration provides a strong mandate that will help move the AIDS response forward, particularly with regards to scaling up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. It reaffirms the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Millennium Development Goals, in particular the goal to halt and begin to reverse the spread of AIDS by 2015.

Statement by Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director Geneva, 22 May 2006 – “With the passing away of Dr LEE Jong-wook, the world has lost one of its greatest forces for good health – a scientist, policymaker and leader of exceptional caliber and accomplishments.

A comprehensive review of epidemiological and behavioural data released today by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) concludes that HIV prevalence has fallen in Zimbabwe over the past five years, and that HIV incidence has also declined.

A review of epidemiological and behavioural data commissioned by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and other international partners has found preliminary indications of declining trends in HIV prevalence and incidence in Zimbabwe over the last five years.

The UN system in Uganda supports the Uganda government policy on prevention of HIV/AIDS including the use of the triple strategy of Abstinence; Faithfulness; and correct and consistent Condom usage (the so-called ABC strategy). The UN system position is that condoms are one of the effective prevention tools in reducing HIV infection rates in Uganda. The UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS in Uganda has worked closely with other development partners in the last few months to ensure that Uganda’s long standing policy of condom promotion is supported.