There is new evidence that adult HIV infection rates have decreased in certain countries and that changes in behaviour to prevent infection—such as increased use of condoms, delay of first sexual experience and fewer sexual partners—have played a key part in these declines. The new UN report also indicates, however, that overall trends in HIV transmission are still increasing, and that far greater HIV prevention efforts are needed to slow the epidemic.

“A rapid and substantial boost in national, regional and international support for the Latin America and Caribbean region on AIDS is essential to enable the region to get ahead of its diverse epidemics,” said the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today.

The Pacific region needs a comprehensive multi-sectored response to AIDS, backed by political leadership, if it is to effectively address the growing threat of a serious HIV epidemic, Asia Pacific Regional Director for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Dr. Prasada Rao said at the Pan Pacific Regional HIV/AIDS Conference which opened in Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday 25 October.

UNICEF, UNAIDS and other partners today launched a global campaign focusing on the enormous impact of HIV/AIDS on children, saying it was a disgrace that fewer than 5 per cent of HIV-positive children receive treatment and that millions of children who have lost parents to the disease go without support.

The threat of HIV and AIDS in New Zealand and neighbouring Pacific regions is bigger than ever before say Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the New Zealand AIDS Foundation on the eve of New Zealand’s first large-scale international conference on HIV and AIDS.

A ministerial level meeting is set to review the current status of HIV vaccine research and development, as well as a range of challenges concerning Africa's active participation and contribution to this area, in collaboration with various stakeholders and partners.

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.

UNAIDS signs partnership with police chiefs to tackle AIDS in Pacific

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.

Real success in the global response to the epidemic can only be achieved if a long-term horizon is integrated fully into AIDS planning and actions, said the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) today.