2008 has been a year of progress, challenge, debate, and change. In this year end review, UNAIDS provides a snapshot of key issues, events, and initiatives that shaped the global AIDS response in the past 12 months. Progress Investments in AIDS producing results Several milestones were reached in 2008: the goal of havi
According to a new UNESCO report the learning needs of HIV-positive children in Namibia and Tanzania are currently not being met by their education sectors whose AIDS responses are described as wanting in many respects. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says that schools and
Those at highest risk of being infected by HIV in the Caribbean are not generally included at the heart of HIV prevention strategies. This is one of the conclusions of Keeping Score II, a publication launched by UNAIDS Caribbean Regional Support Team recently in
The unanimous commitments of Member States to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010 and Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 6 - to halt and reverse the spread of HIV by 2015 - include commitments to further the realization of human rights for all, including for all those vulnerab
Geneva, 18 December 2008 - The governing body of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) met in Geneva, Switzerland from 15-17 December for the 23rd Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB). Under the current PCB chair, the United States of America, the meetin
In what he called his swan song Dr Piot gave a concise yet comprehensive review of his tenure at UNAIDS , as well as the AIDS response through his eyes as the first executive director of UNAIDS. Dr Piot touched on how different it is today in the world to when UNAIDS began in 1996, a time when the world was contributin
The National AIDS Programme Secretariat of the Ministry of Health in Guyana (NAPS/MOH) convened a National Conference on faith-and-HIV, supported by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) on 11 December 2008. The aim of the conference was to establish a national coalition of faith leaders of all deno
The 23rd Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board will be held in Geneva, Switzerland on 15 - 17 December 2008 IMPORTANT: The PCB reception will now be held on the evening of Tuesday, 16 December (18:30-20:00) at UNAIDS Headquarters Thematic segment: * Agenda (revised) (en) * Rapporteur Panel 1: Lessons f
Geneva, 12 December 2008 - African musician Toumani Diabate from Mali has been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) to raise awareness on AIDS issues. Toumani Diabate descends from a long line of oral historians and praise singers. He has blended this ancient
Women and girls, who constitute half of all people living with HIV, are often underrepresented in biomedical HIV trials, particularly those assessing new treatment drugs or strategies. Women and girls, who constitute half of all people living with HIV, are often underrepresented in biomedical HIV trials, particularly t
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) renewed their collaboration agreement to work together to scale up efforts for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services worldwide. The partnership, cove
We have lost him, but we have not lost the legacy he left us, said Justice Michael Kirby of the High Court of Australia of Dr Jonathan Mann, the visionary epidemiologist, advocate and scientist who highlighted the inextricable links between human rights and public health. In commemoration of Dr Mann s untimely death t
ICASA 2008 closed on 7 December with a strong message: youth are essential in the response to AIDS in Africa, especially those living with HIV. The closing ceremony began with a statement delivered by Ms Souadou N Doye, a young Senegalese. She spoke on behalf of all young Africans and urged those in attendance to ensur
Social issues like gender inequality, violence against women and the criminalization of activities like sex work, injecting drug use and same sex intercourse are factors that can make people more vulnerable to HIV infection. To discuss the challenges of social drivers, UNAIDS Secretariat, UNESCO and the Social Change C
While in Senegal attending ICASA 2008, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and UNAIDS and UNICEF Special Representative HRH Princess Mathilde of Belgium spent 6 December learning firsthand the successes and challenges faced in Dakar in providing HIV prevention and treatment services, in particular fo
Dakar, 7 December 2008 - UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and UNAIDS and UNICEF Special Representative Princess Mathilde of Belgium ended their joint participation at the 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA) yesterday after several days of interactions with leaders and young people in
From Cape Town to Lagos, several new studies are starting to provide a better understanding of men who have sex with men (MSM) within the context of HIV in Africa. Homosexuality is very much understudied in West Africa, and in Nigeria it is criminalized, making it difficult to reach MSM, said Sylvia Adebajo, a researc
Assessing what really works in the AIDS response, and understanding how it works, is all the more pressing in the current context of global financial slowdown said experts at an ICASA session on Friday. The current economic downturn leads us to redouble our efforts and look carefully at the effectiveness of programmes
If we do not implement adequate measures to prevent HIV infection in prisons, people incarcerated will always be vulnerable to the disease, said Mr Gallo Diop, a former prisoner and AIDS advocate from Senegal . Mr Diop was speaking on Friday 5 December at an ICASA session organized by the United Nations Office on Drug
Participants in a series of ICASA sessions on youth leadership and Africa s AIDS response were in clear and unanimous agreement: young people are vital to preventing new HIV infections and moving towards the goal of an AIDS-free generation. UNAIDS and UNICEF Special Representative HRH Princess Mathilde of
Opinions on sexuality and condom use vary depending on the different beliefs of religious and traditional leaders in Africa. Nonetheless, today at ICASA there was general agreement that regardless of an individual s choices, human beings should be treated equally and with respect. We cannot fight AIDS if part of the po
Sustainable investment in health is crucial for African countries successful development stressed Dr Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. The world has finally understood that health is a priority for development and not a consequence of development, said Dr Kazatchki
Stigma towards people living with HIV as well as the need to halt the spread of the disease were the main themes discussed by a gathering of First Ladies of Africa which took place earlier today in Dakar. Their panel discussion on the HIV response was moderated by Mr Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director.
We can not predict the future but we can certainly influence it, said UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Piot looking ahead after his review of the past 25 years of AIDS in Africa. Dr Piot traced the history of the AIDS epidemic in Africa over the past quarter century and highlighted some key milestones in the response duri
A consensus is emerging at ICASA that in countries across Africa the private sector needs to work more closely together in order to be successful in responding to AIDS. According to Sophia Kisting, Director of ILO-AIDS speaking at a UNAIDS ILO session yesterday, The different private sector actors—companies, small and
As 5000 delegates from across Africa and the world gather in Dakar this week, condoms are being made freely available for delegates in hotels in the city as part of a HIV prevention drive. The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GBC) and UNAIDS have teamed up with the
-- Speech by Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director I must first salute the Government of Senegal and my old friends, conference co-chairs Professor Papa Salif Sow and Professor Suleymane Mboup for organizing this 15th ICASA. It is good to be back in Dakar, in the company of so many key actors on AIDS and STIs in Africa
The 15th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa takes place in Dakar on 3-7 December 2008. This year s theme for Africa s leading forum for discussion of HIV developments and trends is Africa s Response: Face the facts. Youssou Ndour and Angelique Kidjo opened the conference on Wednesday night by singing t
On the opening day of ICASA 2008, a new regional report is launched by UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot that looks at the vulnerability of women and girls in Southern Africa to HIV. Almost two-thirds of all young people with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa where about 75% of all infections among young people aged
An estimated 122,000 teachers in sub-Saharan Africa living with HIV have been given voice in a collaborative project by UNAIDS Cosponsor the World Bank and African Ministries of Education networks of HIV/AIDS focal points. An estimated 122,000 teachers in sub-Saharan Africa living with HIV have been given voice in a co
TB is among the leading causes of death in people living with HIV and accounts for an estimated 13% of AIDS deaths worldwide. HIV and TB are so closely connected that they are often referred to as co-epidemics or dual epidemics. Each worsens the impact of the other, yet despite evidence of positive impact of joint inte
On the opening day of International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA), taking place in Mali under the theme Africa s Response: Face the facts, the World Bank launched a new report exploring the character of the HIV epidemics and responses in countries in West Africa. The West Africa HIV/AIDS epidemiology
Sustaining the progress that has been made in preventing new HIV infections and getting more people on antiretroviral treatment are priorities for African countries if they are to get ahead of the AIDS epidemic in the coming years - this is the overarching theme to be discussed at the 15th International Conference on A
The report, titled Children and AIDS: Third stocktaking report, was jointly prepared by UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the prospects for surviva
Mrs Carla Bruni-Sarkozy today took up her appointment as Ambassador for the Protection of Mothers and Children against HIV/AIDS of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund) at an event in Paris. Mrs Carla Bruni-Sarkozy began her new mission on this the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day,
Geneva, 1 December, 2008 - On World AIDS Day the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Mr Michel Sidibe as the next Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ). Congratulating Mr Sidibe on his appointment, outgoing Executive Director Dr. Peter Piot said, The lea
-- On the pitch we compete - off the pitch - we are united against AIDS These are the messages behind a new Public Service Announcement and poster campaign that UNAIDS is launching featuring UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador German football star Michael Ballack and his fellow star footballer friend Togolese born Emmanuel Adeb
Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS , is marking the 20th World AIDS Day at a ceremony in Durban, together with South Africa s Deputy President, Ms Baleka Mbete and South African Health Minister Barbara Hogan. The World AIDS Day programme is taking place at the SAHARA Kingsmead stadium, where national and globa
1 December 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. This year’s theme is “Lead – Empower – Deliver Designating leadership as the theme provides an opportunity to highlight both political leadership and celebrate leadership that has been witnessed at all levels of society. To mark the day, the United Nations S
-- Display on iconic Bird s Nest highlights China s commitment to the AIDS response Beijing, 30 November 2008 - Chinese AIDS authorities, with the support of UNAIDS , today unveiled three giant red ribbons on the iconic National Stadium - colloquially known as the Bird s Nest - to mark World AIDS Day. The display illu
National HIV prevention programmes can become more successful using combination prevention approaches-this will help make the money work effectively during tough economic times Geneva, 28 November 2008 - On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the first observance of World AIDS Day, a new report by
AIDS Outlook is a new report from UNAIDS that provides perspectives on some of the most pressing issues that will confront policymakers and leaders as they respond to the challenges presented by AIDS in 2009. AIDS Outlook is a new report from UNAIDS that provides perspectives on some of the most pressing issues that wi
At the end of 2008, Dr Peter Piot, the founding Executive Director of UNAIDS , will leave his post after leading the organization since his appointment in 1994. He reflected on past milestones and future challenges in an interview with John Donnelly: How are you feeling on the eve of your departure? Peter Piot: I t
Geneva, 27 November 2008- Criminalization of adult sexual behaviour and violation of human rights of people living with HIV are hampering HIV responses across the world. UNAIDS urges countries to remove laws and policies make it difficult for people to access HIV prevention and treatment and adopt laws that protect peo
Ahead of World AIDS Day 2008, two sculptures by Keith Haring have come to UNAIDS to join the Art for AIDS collection. His iconic and poignant work has been instrumental in raising awareness around AIDS issues worldwide. The UNAIDS headquarters building in Geneva received on Wednesday two new additions to its ART for A
The Ethiopian Business Coalition against HIV/AIDS (EBCA), GTZ Engineering Capacity Building Program, the World Bank Institute and the Rapid Results Institute implemented a pilot programme to achieve rapid HIV results within businesses in Ethiopia in 100 days. Implementing ambitious long-term HIV programmes in the workp
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the lead UN agency providing emergency food assistance and the world s largest humanitarian agency. As a cosponsor of UNAIDS it also plays a unique and significant role in the global AIDS response. In 2007, WFP reached 1.3 million people affected by HIV in 20 of the 25 highest HIV prev
A celebration in honour of Jonathan Mann and the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Today a public event in celebration of Jonathan Mann and his legacy on HIV, health, and human rights is being held at UNAIDS Secretariat, Geneva. The event, co-hosted by UNAIDS, the
HIV prevalence in Kenya has halved in a decade - a dramatic and sustained decline rarely seen elsewhere in Africa. The Government aims to continue this level of progress by ensuring that the national response to the epidemic is as coordinated and collaborative as possible, and that funding is spent effectively. In
Total AIDS-related philanthropy in 2007 has risen to US $555 million among U.S.-based philanthropies and to EUR114 million (US $168 million) among Europe-based philanthropies, according to new reports from Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) and the European HIV/AIDS Funders Group (EFG), released in New York yesterday.
Journalists have a responsibility to report on HIV issues with accuracy and sensitivity to avoid stigmatizing people living with HIV and to clarify common misunderstandings about the disease, its prevention and transmission. Following a court case in India where unbalanced reporting led to discrimination against an HIV
UNAIDS in the Russian Federation launched the initiative Artists Against AIDS which aims to decrease stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. On 11 November UNAIDS in the Russian Federation launched the initiative Artists Against AIDS . The initiative, aims to decrease stigma and discrimination again
The President of the International Cricket Council (ICC), David Morgan, today visited the UNAIDS Secretariat in Geneva where he was welcomed by UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Michel Sidibe. In a meeting with UNAIDS and UNICEF staff the ICC President reaffirmed the Cricket Council s commitment to the partnership which
The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) launched on 13 November 2008 a new report Verdict on a Virus: Public Health, Human Rights and Criminal Law. The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) launched on 13 November 2008 a new report Verdict on a Virus: Public Health, Human Rights and Criminal
During his recent trip to Beijing as a guest of UNAIDS , Justice Edwin Cameron of South Africa s Supreme Court of Appeals used every opportunity to raise the question, What role can the law play in China in response to HIV? As Justice Cameron explained at a lecture at Peking University Law School, from his perspective,
In recent years, there has been an apparent increase in the number of people prosecuted for transmitting HIV, particularly in Europe and North America, with cases now numbering in the hundreds in the English-speaking world alone. There is also an increase in laws that criminalize HIV transmission and exposure to the vi
Cultural sensitivity is critical for the success of development strategies according to a new report produced by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Reaching Common Ground: Culture, Gender and Human Rights, launched 12 November 2008, reports that culture is a central component of successful development of count
UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot is visiting India this week. Thanks to government leadership, enhanced cooperation between civil society and the police could make a difference in communities across India. Although adult HIV prevalence rate in India is low at 0.3%, still an estimated 2.4 million people are liv
UNAIDS /WHO plan to publish an AIDS Epidemic Update in 2009 that will report on 2008 estimates, incorporating the 2008 programme coverage data. For more than a decade, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have produced a detailed report titled AIDS Epid
The World Economic Forum s first Summit of the Global Agenda Councils - a unique gathering of leaders from academia, business, government and civil society – is taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 7 to 9 November. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr.
Several countries have recently introduced laws to criminalise HIV transmission, or exposing another person to the virus. A number of jurisdictions have used general laws against serious bodily harm in cases where someone is accused of knowingly transmitting HIV or willingly exposing others to HIV transmission. Subject
More than 30 representatives from 10 countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), along with UNAIDS representatives, took part in the meeting of the CIS Coordination Council on HIV/AIDS on 30 October in Moscow. The meeting, hosted by the Russian Government, brought together government representatives, cou
UNAIDS and KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW) have entered into a new agreement to expand the reach of its cooperation Four years after signing the first cooperation agreement to support the AIDS response in Central America and the Caribbean, UNAIDS and KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW) have entered into a new agreement to expand t
HIV prevention was the focus of a meeting organized by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) on 4 November in London. Politicians, scientists, international organizations and civil society members gathered to evaluate current HIV prevention strategies and to join forces in the development of new preven
Representatives from G8 and non-G8 countries, international organizations, foundations and civil society are in Tokyo, Japan to further health systems strengthening. The International Conference on Global Action for Health System Strengthening took place from 3-4 November as a follow-up to the July 2008 Toyako G8 Summi
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) was launched in 1996 to strengthen the way in which the UN was responding to AIDS. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was launched in 1996 to strengthen the way in which the UN was responding to AIDS. UNAIDS: The First 10 Years is a new pub
The South African Supreme Court Judge Edwin Cameron visited China from 27th to 31st October at the invitation of China s Ministry of Health and UNAIDS . Through his visit, he set out to support the response to AIDS in China with a special focus on legal issues, discrimination and rights of people living with HIV.
Despite successes in the Caribbean AIDS response, every day in the region 38 people lose their lives to AIDS and 55 become infected with HIV. This was the sobering message delivered by Dr Karen Sealey, UNAIDS Director of the Caribbean Regional Support Team, at the opening of the 7th Annual US Chiefs of Mission Conferen
1 December 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Since 1988, efforts made to respond to the epidemic have produced positive results, however, the latest UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic indicates that the epidemic is not yet over in any part of the world. Together with its partners, the World AIDS
Know your epidemic, advised UN Special Envoy on AIDS in Asia, Dr Nafis Sadik, at a public lecture held on 16 October 2008 in Beijing. Because we ve learned that there s no return on policies made in ignorance, nor on programmes directed at the wrong population demographic. In particular, Dr Sadik urged focus on the fo
UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and UNAIDS Special Representative, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway were in the Ukrainian capital Kiev this week to call for strengthened leadership in the AIDS response in the country which has Europe s most severe AIDS epidemic. During their two-day
Festus Mogae the former President of Botswana was awarded the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership on 20 October 2008. On 20 October 2008 Festus Mogae the former President of Botswana was named the winner of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. Announcing the 2008 Ibrahim Laureate
UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador and international football star Michael Ballack and UNAIDS are proud to team up for an online competition. To win one of many great prizes courtesy of Michael Ballack Clothing and UNAIDS -including caps, t-shirts, and sweatshirts just answer the following questions: Questions 1. UNA
Professor Kallings a Swedish national, was appointed Special Envoy for AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia by the UN Secretary-General in May 2003. He was the founding President of the International AIDS Society in 1988. As its Secretary-General from 1994 to 2002, he played a key role in shaping the IAS as the worl
Geneva, 17 October 2008 - UNAIDS congratulates Dr Peter Piot on his appointment as the first Director of the new Institute for Global Health at Imperial College London. He will spearhead the institute s quest to find far-reaching solutions to health problems that blight underprivileged populations worldwide. The in
UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Michel Sidibe addressed the vital role of civil society at Rendez-vous de la cooperation quebecoise et canadienne dans la Francophonie hosted by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Ahead of the XIIe Sommet de la Francophonie, the role of civil society in development
Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of illness and death among people living with HIV in many parts of the world, yet TB is mostly curable and preventable. In 2006 less than 1% of people living with HIV were screened for TB yet an estimated one-third of people living with HIV worldwide are co-infected with TB and at
Sao Paulo - Business Coalitions on AIDS have emerged as an effective platform for the private sector response to the epidemic. AIDS has already claimed the lives of 25 million in the global workforce and remains a serious threat to business. Although some companies are already effectively addressing AIDS in the workpla
United Nations Secretary-General together with senior officials from the United Nations system met with seventeen of the world s research-based and generic pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies On 9 October 2008, the United Nations Secretary-General together with senior officials from the United Nations system met wi
In order to review progress, set global priorities, and make commitments for children affected by HIV, 200 delegates from 42 countries including leaders in government, civil society and UN agencies met in Dublin, Ireland on the 6th and 7th October 2008 for the 4th Global Partners Forum on Children affected by HIV and A
Studies show that rates of sexually transmitted infections among armed forces are generally higher than in civilian populations. Among male population groups, military and police report the highest risk behaviour, such as engaging in sex without using a condom, and highest number of partners. The good news is that prev
Geneva, 6 October 2008 - UNAIDS is pleased with the announcement by the Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet to award the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine to French scientists Francoise Barre-Sinoussi and Luc Montagnier for their co-discovery of HIV. UNAIDS commends the scientists for their decades of work in not only i
Portraits of Commitment is a stunning and thought-provoking book of photographic portraits which was launched in 2007 by the Asia Pacific leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS and Development (APLF). The book features people from all walks of life in South Asia who, for a range of different reasons, are working to raise awaren
Many countries require quality and timely technical support to plan, budget, implement and monitor their AIDS programmes effectively and efficiently. While the demand for technical support has increased, the number of providers has also grown dramatically resulting at times in competition, duplication and increased tra
HIV has often been associated with behaviours that may be considered socially or morally unacceptable by many people such as sex work, sex outside marriage or with multiple partners, sex between men and injecting drugs. This single fact, fueled by high levels of ignorance, denial, fear and intolerance, has widely stigm
Geneva, 26 September 2008 - It is with profound sadness that UNAIDS mourns the death of Jan-Olof Morfeldt, executive director of Noak s Ark, a Swedish AIDS organization active in prevention and providing care and support for people living with HIV. Jan-Olof passed away on 22 September 2008 after a short battle with can
The annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) concludes today in New York. The three-day event brought together a diverse group of world leaders from government, business, international agencies and civil society to examine global challenges and transform that awareness into action. UNAIDS
A group of global leaders met in New York on 26 September 2007 to launch the Global Campaign for the Health Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Campaign aims to give renewed impetus to Goals 4, 5 and 6 which focus on the urgent need to improve maternal, newborn and child health and to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and
In 2000, global leaders embraced a series of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that resolved to make the world safer, healthier, and more equitable. We are half-way to the 2015 target date and progress is mixed and uneven. To assess the gaps and understand what more needs to be done to ensure nations are on course to
-- MDGs still within reach but stronger focus on the most marginalized will be required NEW YORK, 23 September 2008 - Significant progress towards reducing child and maternal mortality is being made but to meet the Millennium Development Goals 4,5,6, strategies aimed at reaching the world s most inaccessible, marginali
Marking the High-level Event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which takes place on 25 September, a poster exhibition on Millennium Development Goals and AIDS is running from 22 to 26 September in the Basement Colonnade of the United Nations in New York. The exhibition explores the synergies between the AIDS r
As high-level participants and international experts gather to discuss Africa s development needs and challenges at UN headquarters in New York on 22 September, we take a look at how HIV and the AIDS response is impacting development on the continent. In countries in Africa most heavily affected by HIV, the epidemic ha
Geneva, 19 September 2008 - It is with profound sadness that UNAIDS mourns the death of staff member Mr Sam Were who recently passed away in Kampala, Uganda . Sam lived openly with HIV and served as a role model by declaring his HIV-positive status at a time when few people living with HIV were willing to disclose.
With an estimated 700,000 people living with HIV China s HIV prevalence remains low - estimated at less than 0.1 per cent of the total population - but the epidemic continues to grow in all parts of the country. Most of the new HIV infections are related to sexual transmission and injecting drug use. The AIDS epidemic
Progress in scaling up HIV prevention, treatment, care and support is underway in China thanks in part to the involvement of leaders from many different sectors of Chinese society in the AIDS response. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot is acknowledging the contributions of nine such individuals during his officia
The United Nations Special Envoys for HIV/AIDS are individuals specially selected by the UN Secretary-General to help advance the AIDS agenda in the regions they cover. In a series of interviews, we explore their motivation and commitment to ensuring that AIDS is kept high as a political priority within their respectiv
Internationally-renowned fashion designer Bibi Russell, along with UNDP and the Modern Dress Sewing Factory (MDSF), has launched an international designer label Bibi for WE . Under this brand, MDSF - an all-women business subsidiary of the network of people living with HIV in Cambodia - will produce and market a ra
Important gaps remain in delivering on the global commitments in the areas of aid, trade, debt relief, and access to new technologies and to affordable essential drugs and treatment for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis. A new report by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Gap Task Force identifies these gaps in
UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot and the Belgian Development Cooperation Minister Charles Michel met in Brussels on 9 September to announce Belgium s new four year funding agreement to UNAIDS. This latest multiyear accord covers the period 2008-2011 and provides financial support to UNAIDS Unified Budget and
To address the inclusion of the persons with disabilities in HIV-related public education the Education and economic empowerment for persons with disabilities: Responding to HIV programme is being implemented by the Jamaica Council of Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) in the Ministry of Labour and Social services and is
In Ghana attending the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot also visited the headquarters of the Ghana Network of Persons Living with HIV (NAP+) on 3 September where he met civil society groups active in responding to the country s AIDS epidemic. Members from Ghana Ne
Geneva, 2 September 2008 - UNAIDS today acknowledges the life and legacy of Dr Jonathan Mann, a formative force in the fields of HIV, health and human rights. Dr Mann and his wife, AIDS researcher Mary-Lou Clements-Mann were on their way to Geneva when their plane crashed off the coast of Nova Scotia,
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid a visit to the UNAIDS Secretariat in Geneva on 31 August 2008. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot gave the Secretary-General a tour of the building which was opened in 2006 and designed to be an inspiring work space with low impact on the environment. The Secre
The Third High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness takes place this week in Ghana . To mark this event, we begin a new web series Making the money work . In coming months we will explore different aspects of aid effectiveness; how financial aid to countries can be made more effective, accountable and results-oriented.
Much of what we know about the stigma attached to HIV and the resulting discrimination towards people living with the virus is anecdotal or fragmented. Existing surveys show that while much is known about the influence of stigma there is no clear picture of the actual magnitude of it. Stigma and accompanying discrimina
HIV prevention is about saving lives. UNAIDS cosponsor, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has published an advocacy booklet telling the personal stories of people and communities who are making a difference in many corners of the world. Prevention is for Life puts a human face to these prevention efforts by t
Before she sets out to visit her client Ms. Heluda in Kisian, Yvonne prepares a bag with a towel, multivitamin tablets, over-the-counter painkiller tablets, a packet of porridge flour, liquid detergent, hand gloves and soap. Then, she takes a bicycle taxi to Kisian village, 12 km away. On her arrival at Ms. Heluda s ho
The MTV Staying Alive Foundation invites grant applications from youth-led organizations and young people (aged between 15-27 years) who are working on HIV prevention and AIDS education campaigns within their communities. The deadline for December 2008 proposals is the 15th September 2008, and successful applicants wil
As part of a joint HIV prevention campaign, some 100,000 high-quality condoms are being made available to athletes free of charge in health clinics in the Olympic Villages of Beijing, Qingdao and Hong Kong . Athletes are also able to find useful information on HIV from thousands of posters and leaflets in English, Fren
A range of initiatives by UNAIDS in China in partnership with the Chinese Government and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the run-up to the 2008 Games illustrate how sport can break down barriers, fight discrimination and make a difference in the AIDS response. China s Olympic effort to raise AIDS aware
The XVII International AIDS Conference has ended in the Mexican capital today after five days of spirited participation involving an estimated 22,000 people engaged in the global response to AIDS. Leaders, policymakers, academics, scientists and activists from around the world descended on Mexico City from 3-8 August 2
Mexico City, 7 August , 2008 - Recognizing the critical role that local organizations play in the response to HIV, five community organizations from Ghana , India , Iran , Malawi and Mexico were presented with Red Ribbon Awards at the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2008)
Representatives of 25 Red Ribbon Award 2008 winning communities were guests of honour at a formal Award Ceremony and Dinner, held last night in Mexico City and attended by government officials and global AIDS leaders. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot addressed the Awards Ceremony at which five organizations were
In 1981 the first cases of unusual immune system failures were identified among gay men, women and injecting drug users. Some seven years later a group of prominent scientists from around the world came together to found the International AIDS Society (IAS) - an organisation which would organise international conferenc
25 years into the global AIDS response it is clear that advances made in HIV prevention have not been sufficient to get ahead of the epidemic. The Lancet in conjunction with UNAIDS has produced a special series of six major articles on the future of global HIV prevention and held a lunchtime symposium with the authors
The shifting dynamics of the AIDS global financial architecture were explored in depth at a Special Session held on 5 August during the International AIDS Conference taking place in Mexico . The interactive session brought together leaders from major AIDS donors and recipient countries including the
At the very heart of the XVII International AIDS Conference is the Global Village, an area of over 8,000 square metres open to everyone attending AIDS 2008, including community organizations from around the world, local and national groups and the general public. On 4 August, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moo
With great celebration and a characteristically warm Latin American welcome, the XVII International AIDS Conference opened on Sunday 3 August in Mexico City. Thousands of delegates from all over the world will spend the next week participating in conference sessions, satellite meetings, exhibitions as well as the Globa
At the conclusion of the 1st Meeting of Ministers of Education and Health to prevent HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean, Ministers of Education and Health have signed an historic declaration pledging to provide comprehensive sex education as part of the school curriculum in Latin America and the Caribbean. Minister
Engaging in an act of humility and repentance, a world church leader began his presentation to an international ecumenical AIDS conference by washing the feet of two women living with HIV. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Chicago, and president of the Luthe
The 5th Meeting of the Coalition of First Ladies and Women Leaders of Latin America on Women and AIDS was opened on 2 August 2008 by Mrs. Margarita Zavala, wife of the President of Mexico , First Lady of Mexico The meeting brought together more than 150 participants, women leaders and activists from across Latin Americ
On 30 July 2008, US President George W. Bush signed the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde United States Global Leadership against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. This legislation replaces and extends the existing act by five years and also expands it three-fold to US$ 48 billion. A number
Mexico City and Geneva, 31 July 2008 - The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) expresses deep concern over the safety of three individuals who were arrested at the HIV/AIDS Implementers Meeting held in Kampala, Uganda , 3-8 June 2008, and who are currently involved in ongoing court proceedings on char
The up-coming XVII International AIDS Conference (IAC) begins 3 August in Mexico City. It is the first time that the world s largest HIV forum is being held in Latin America giving the opportunity for regional HIV issues to be highlighted. No single factor impacting the epidemic in Latin America is more in need of focu
Washington DC 30 July 2008--This signing is a historic event. The world is beginning to see positive results in the AIDS response. We have seen a substantial increase in HIV prevention and treatment efforts. As a result, fewer people are dying of AIDS and fewer people are becoming newly infected with HIV. That s a real
Kate Thomson is Chief of Civil Society Partnerships at UNAIDS . She has been involved in AIDS activism for over twenty years - firstly in the UK, where she helped set up the first positive women s organization - and then internationally through work with the international people living with HIV conferences, the Global
Port of Spain , 29 July 2008 - According to latest data released by UNAIDS in its 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic, the situation in the Caribbean regarding HIV remains precarious, despite a range of successes and gains. A number of Caribbean countries have experienced an apparent stabilisation in the epidemic a
New York, 29 July 2008 - According to new data in the UNAIDS 2008 Report on the global AIDS epidemic there have been significant gains in preventing new HIV infections in a number of heavilyaffected countries. In Rwanda and Zimbabwe , changes in sexual behaviour have been followed by declines in the num
Significant gains in preventing new HIV infections are being seen in a number of countries most affected by the AIDS epidemic. This is according to a new report released today by UNAIDS . The report highlights specific examples of countries which are seeing changes in sexual behaviour followed by declines in the number
The Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) Heads of State s Summit took place on 24 and 25 July in Lisbon, Portugal . The summit, which happens every two years, is an opportunity to review progress made and to improve cooperation between CPLP Member States on political, economic, social and cultural issues.
AIDES, the French national AIDS association, and the International AIDS Society (IAS) have joined forces to denounce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV through an awareness campaign titled If I were HIV-positive . To be launched at the upcoming XVII International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, th
Ahead of the publication of the 2008 Global Report, Sexually Transmitted Infections, a peer review journal for health professionals and researchers in sexual health has published a supplement giving a description and underlying data for UNAIDS estimation methods and tools, as well as analyses on a range of epidemiologi
It is often said that young people are the future, however they are also very much the present. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that today s generation of young people is the largest youth cohort in history. Nearly half of the world s population is under the age of 25, 85% of which live in developi
The International AIDS conference (AIDS 2008) will bring to Mexico approximately 20,000 delegates and 2000 journalists from all over the world from 3-8 August 2008. AIDS 2008 presents a unique opportunity to engage the local hotel industry on issues related to HIV. UNAIDS and the Mexican hotel industry are launching an
A majority of the 33 million people living with HIV worldwide are working and in their most productive years. They generate much-needed income to support their families, and their skills and experience make a big contribution to their workplace and country. However, despite major advances in attitudes and knowledge abo
The Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) Heads of State s Summit will take place on 24 and 25 July. In order to highlight the issue of HIV during the Summit and to foster a new generation of leaders committed to the AIDS response, UNAIDS in partnership with the CPLP and National Portuguese Television (RTP)
The International Task Team on HIV-related Travel Restrictions concluded its third meeting with draft recommendations towards the elimination of HIV-specific restrictions on entry, stay and residence. In the coming months, these will be finalized and presented to the boards of the Global Fund and UNAIDS
The US Senate has voted on legislation authorizing US$ 48 billion for AIDS, TB and malaria over the next five years. The legislation will replace and expand three-fold the current $15 billion act passed by Congress in 2003 which expires at the end of September. U.S. President George W. Bush announced the President s Em
Recent estimates indicate that 86 million people across the world are international labour migrants. Migrant workers bring huge benefits to their families and countries of origin through remittances - the sending of money home; and to their countries of destination by contributing to the workforce, economy and society
UNAIDS Special Representative Michael Ballack participated in the Goal4Africa all-star benefit football match held at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany on 12 July in honour of Nelson Mandela s 90th birthday. The event was lead by Goal4Africa Ambassador and international football star Clarence Seedorf and broadcast liv
Anand Grover, head of the HIV/AIDS Unit of Lawyer s Collective ( India ) and a member of the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights, has been appointed Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of health by the UN Human Rights Council. A well-known long-time advocate and activist on
Geneva, 9 July 2008 - The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) welcomes the decision reached by the Group of Eight (G8) leaders at the Summit in Hokkaido, Japan to honour in full their commitments to continue working towards the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by
During his official visit to China , the UN Secretary General and his wife Madame Yoo Soon-taek paid a visit to Ditan hospital in Beijing on 2 July to discuss a range of issues with people living with HIV and meet the staff and volunteers who work at the hospital. The Beijing Ditan hospital, established in 1946, specia
As world leaders prepare to meet in Hokkaido, Japan for the annual meeting of the G8, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) and the Kaiser Family Foundation have released a new report analysing the funding available for AIDS from G8, European Commission (EC) and other donor governments in 2007.
In April 2008, the PCB launched the process of nomination of the next Executive Director and established a Search Committee to oversee this process. During its first meeting on 27 June in Geneva, the Search Committee elected Ambassador Marie-Louise Overvad, Permanent representative of
The use of condoms in Brazil is preventing the spread of HIV and it might also be helping to save the rainforest thanks to a condom factory opened in April in the Amazon region. This unique factory uses natural latex collected by local rubber tappers and it will be able to supply the Brazilian government with 100 milli
The United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) is supporting a unique set of media and training interventions in Tajikistan designed to raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide adolescents with the tools to improve their reproductive and sexual health. Vulnerable youth It is early morning at Dushanbe s school number one
UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot received one of the MDG3 Torches on Thursday 26 June in Geneva as part of a campaign organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark intended to ensure commitment from participants to the third Millennium Development Goal (MDG3): Promote gender e
It is early Sunday morning but the auditorium at Beijing Modern Vocational and Technical College is already full. Several hundred Olympic volunteers are chatting; waiting for the day s training to start. The local representative of Beijing Youth League opens the workshop energetically with a clapping exercise. This cou
UNAIDS Special Representative Her Serene Highness Princess Stephanie inaugurated the new premises of Fight AIDS Monaco (FAM) on 13 June 2008. Princess Stephanie is the President of Fight AIDS Monaco which she helped to found in 2004. As well as offering psychological and material support t
19 June 2008 - Letter from the Oversight Committee Chair - June 2008 The Second Independent Evaluation of UNAIDS has begun and an Oversight Committee (OC) has been created by the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) to oversee this Evaluation. It has ten independent members representing a cross-section of UNAIDS stakehol
In a historic initiative by Hindu religious groups, over 70 prominent faith leaders from across India came together to commit to incorporating HIV information into their religious education and training of future faith leaders as well as including AIDS in their discourses, rituals and festival celebrations. Senior
When we talk about AIDS we often look at the sobering statistics such as the estimated number of 22.5 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa in 2007. But behind each number is a human face and an actual person whose life is affected in a very direct way by the disease. A pioneering film series made in the
Beijing, 15 June 2008 - Convened by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) and United Nations Volunteers (UNV), the United Nations system in China has launched a training programme for Olympic Volunteers on HIV prevention and antidiscrimination. The training is being conducted in collaboration with t
New York, Geneva 13 June 2008 - Countries and civil society attending the 2008 High-Level Meeting on AIDS, have expressed renewed commitment to work with UNAIDS and other partners to reach universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010. The meeting, which took place on 10-11 June at the UN head
The 2008 United Nations High-level Meeting on AIDS concluded Wednesday evening, 11 June 2008. The meeting was attended by stakeholders from across the global AIDS response, including leaders from national governments, civil society groups and United Nations agencies. The General Assembly gathering was held to review pr
New York, 11 June 2008 - We wish to clarify misinterpretations concerning WHO and UNAIDS positions on the status of the AIDS epidemic in recent media articles. The story in the Independent on Sunday titled: Threat of world AIDS pandemic among heterosexuals is over, report admits contained a few seriously misleading sta
Representatives of civil society organizations addressed Member States and observers on Tuesday 10th June in an interactive hearing at the High-level Meeting on AIDS entitled Action for Universal Access 2010: Myths and Realities. The hearing was chaired by the President of the General Assembly and the UN Secretary-Gene
President Elías Antonio Saca of El Salvador hosted a meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot on 10 June at the United Nations HQ in New York. On this occasion, a regional Memorandum of Understanding between the Republic of El Salvador and UNAIDS was signed. Under the terms of this agreement, UNAIDS wil
New York, 11 June 2008 - On the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AIDS, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) proudly announced the 25 winners of the Red Ribbon Award 2008. Following a call for nominations launch
The 2008 High-level Meeting on AIDS opens today at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Over the next two days the President of the General Assembly Srgjan Kerim, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, approximately 6 Heads of State and Government and over 80 ministers, senior officials, representatives of inter
New York, 9 June - Investments made in the AIDS response over the last 10 years are starting to bear fruit, according to a report by United Nations Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon which highlights decreases in new HIV infections and AIDS deaths over the past decade. However, despite the advances and increase in resource
The Commission on HIV/AIDS and Governance in Africa (CHGA) will present its final report Securing Our Future to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on 9 June 2008 at UN Headquarters. This will be followed by a high-level panel discussion on Regional lessons in the progress towards universal access. UN Secretary General Ko
UN Member States and civil society representatives will review progress in the AIDS response at a High-Level Meeting held at the UN in New York. The UN Secretary-General will present a comprehensive report on progress made to date and challenges faced in scaling-up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment,
The first HIV/TB Global Leaders Forum will be held on 9 June 2008 at the United Nations in New York and will bring together heads of government, public health and business leaders, heads of UN agencies and activists. The meeting, endorsed by the UN Secretary General, Mr Ban Ki-moon, will be held on the eve of the UN Ge
As part of the 2008 High level Meeting on AIDS, a special event entitled Universal access to affordable diagnostics, prevention and treatment: In search for sustainable solutions will be held on 9th June in the United Nations Headquarters, New York. The event, co-organized by UNAIDS , UNOHRLLS and UNOSAA aims to exp
Only doesn t work for HIV prevention. UNAIDS advocates that countries implement HIV prevention programmes that will be truly effective in reducing new HIV infections. This requires a strategic combination of interventions that address populations that are at risk or vulnerable for transmission and that utilize behavio
The annual Jackson Hole Film festival (JHFF) begins on 6 June in Wyoming, United States of America. This leading independent film festival has always been committed to creating a platform for global inspiration and change. In this, it s fifth year, it is inviting senior UN officials to discuss ways to engage the world
As HIV directly impacts the lives of employees and partners it impacts business. Standard Chartered Bank has been actively engaged in the AIDS response for almost ten years. Living with HIV is the Bank s workplace HIV programme, a comprehensive package that delivers HIV education via face-to-face peer education session
What is an HIV implementer? Depending on whom you ask at the 2008 Implementers Meeting in Kampala, Uganda , which starts today, June 3, you may get varying responses. But one common thread is likely to run throughout - the drive to share lessons learned and best practices on how HIV services are delivered to people aff
UNAIDS * and The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signed in Uganda a revised Memorandum of Understanding which renews a commitment for a coordinated response to AIDS and it serves as an umbrella framework to strategically guide their partnership to strengthen support to national AIDS responses.
Geneva and Paris, 2 June 2008 - The close of 2007 marks an important step in the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Nearly 3 million people are now receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in low- and middle-income countries, according to a new report launched today by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint U
Some 3 million people now have access to antiretroviral therapy according to a report issued today by WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF. Towards Universal Access: Scaling Up Priority HIV/AIDS Interventions in the Health Sector was launched in Geneva by Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. The report notes that one million peop
UNAIDS and the government of Brazil signed an agreement on Wednesday 21st of May, 2008 to continue their cooperation on providing technical support to countries in strengthening and scaling-up national responses to AIDS through the International Centre for Technical Cooperation on HIV/AIDS (ICTC). In 2005, Brazil
WHO: President of the General Assembly Srgjan Kerim, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, approximately 6 Heads of State and Government and over 80 ministers, senior officials, representatives of international organizations and civil society will meet to review progress towards the targets agreed in the UN s 2001 Declarat
Geneva, 28 May 2008 - It is with profound sadness that UNAIDS mourns the death of AIDS activist Wellington Solomon Adderly who was killed at his home in Nassau, Bahamas earlier this week. Mr Adderly was one of the leading figures in the response to HIV in the Bahamas having served for many years as President of the Bah
Leaders from Africa, Asia, Europe and other parts of the world are in Yokohama for the 4th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). The theme of this year s meeting is Towards a vibrant Africa and will focus on mobilizing knowledge and resources to overcome the obstacles facing Africa as it moves
The opening day of this year s Eurovision song contest, 18 May, coincided with the 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial - a civil society movement for AIDS remembrance, awareness and community action. To mark the occasion, UNAIDS brought together Eurovision participants in Belgrade to draw attention to the issu
Like many gay men in Kenya I am married, said Peter (not his real name) a taxi driver in Nairobi who was busy ferrying partygoers to and from the third party attended by several hundred gay-identifying men and their friends to be held in the Kenyan capital in the last six months. We have to hide our sexuality from
Agenda Item 11.9 - Health of Migrants Geneva, 21 May 2008 Chairperson, distinguished delegates, Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, governments have prevented people living with HIV from entering or residing in their countries based solely on their HIV status. Such restrictions have stopped HIV positive people fro
In many parts of the world, lack of food security and poor nutrition are worsening the effects of the HIV epidemic. Food insecurity and poor nutrition can hasten the progression of AIDS related illnesses, while the virus itself reduces the capacity of people living with HIV to work to provide food for themselves and th
If in my country I have fans that listen to me, I am ready to endlessly tell them about HIV prevention and how it is wrong to discriminate against people living with HIV, said Tatiana Lazareva, TV Presenter and one of the 25 women from Russia and Ukraine who are participating in the Stars against AIDS campaign o
In 1990, the World Health Assembly approved the 10th Edition of the International Classification of Diseases ( World Health Organization ) on May 17, which established that sexual orientation (heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual), on its own, would no longer be considered as a disorder . For this reason May 17 is used
As part of the London School of Economics and Political Science s (LSE) speakers series on AIDS (LSEAIDS), UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot delivered a public lecture titled The future of AIDS: Exceptionalism Revisited on May 15. In his lecture, he reviewed the global response to AIDS to date and considered what
In a new report launched 14 May 2008, the World Bank reaffirms its commitment to a long-term engagement to the AIDS response in Africa. The new publication, The World Bank s commitment to HIV/AIDS in Africa: Our agenda for action, 2007–2011, reports that AIDS remains the leading cause of premature death and is a major
HamidReza Setayesh became the UNAIDS Country Coordinator (UCC) when the UNAIDS Iran office was established in March 2005. Like most UNAIDS Country Coordinators Setayesh s time is filled with the major task of coordinating the UN response on AIDS in the country. In Iran there are 13 UN offices that make up the Joint UN
The International Health Partnership (IHP+) has launched a public web site to facilitate the dissemination of information and tools related to strengthening health systems and services. The IHP+ is a partnership which includes 13 partner countries, United Nations agencies including UNAIDS , bilateral donors, civil s
The Second Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference concluded on May 5 after three-days of dialogue centred on better responding to the region s HIV epidemic. Hundreds of participants from across the region as well as representatives from the UN and other international organizations gathered in Moscow to share i
Moscow, 3 May 2008 | Dr. Peter Piot, UNAIDS Executive Director Excellencies, Friends, It is a real honor to be here at this second conference on AIDS in the region. I want to warmly congratulate the organizers, Dr Gennady Grigorievich Onischenko and all his colleagues in the Russian Government, and the members of the C
Moscow, 2 May 2008 - Starting tomorrow, the second Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference (EECAAC II), the largest AIDS-focused event to date in the region, will bring together a wide range of private and public groups at a critical time in the fight against AIDS. EECAAC II is a collaborative effort hosted by
Better HIV policies and practices in the workplace have led to more supportive attitudes towards co-workers living with HIV, the International Labour Organization (ILO) reports in its new publication Saving lives, protecting jobs . The report summarizes the activities of the Strategic HIV/AIDS Responses in Enterprises
Chiang Mai, Thailand , 25 April 2008 - The governing body of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) met in Chiang Mai from 23-25 April for the 22nd Meeting of the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB). At the meeting the United States of America took over from Thailand as the
SAN PEDRO, Cote d Ivoire - I m here because I have four children, explains a 48-year-old sex worker, who asked that her name not be used. Today she is being tested for HIV at a mobile health clinic, run by the volunteers of the Association for the Promotion of Mother, Child and Family Health (APROSAM) which is supporte
EDUCAIDS is the UNAIDS Global Initiative on Education and AIDS. It is led by UNESCO in collaboration with governments, UN partners, and civil society organizations. The initiative seeks to promote, develop and support comprehensive education sector responses to HIV. EDUCAIDS has two primary aims: to prevent the spread
Dhamiri Mustapha, a young Tanzanian woman living with HIV, was one of the 80 dignitaries who carried the Olympic flame during the five-kilometre torch relay in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, on 13 April. Dhamiri was thrilled to take part in such a high-profile event in her own country, and it provided a welcome opportunity f
The 2007 AIDS epidemic update reports on the latest developments in the global AIDS epidemic. The 2007 edition provides the most recent estimates of the AIDS epidemic and explores new findings and trends in the epidemic s evolution. AIDS epidemic update 2007 | Regional Summaries - 16 April 2008 AIDS epidemic update 200
Eastern Europe and Central Asia have faced significant increases in the numbers of new HIV infections in recent years. In 2007, an estimated 1.6 million people were living with HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, a dramatic increase of 150% from the 630,000 people in 2001. Such an escalating epidemic threatens to i
Civil society plays a key role in the response to the AIDS epidemic in countries around the world. Therefore it is imperative for UNAIDS to secure input from the full spectrum of civil society, including people living with HIV, at its Programme Coordinating Board meetings. UNAIDS is guided by a Programme Coordinating B
Seventy percent of the world s population identify themselves as members of a faith community, which situates communities of faith in a privileged position to influence people s behaviour and attitudes, even in relationship with the AIDS epidemic. Organizations motivated by religious faith - often called Faith-based or
Leadership is the expression of a person whose aim is to transform something for the better and to develop this potential in others. Often leadership abilities are brought to the fore by certain crises in life enabling people to discover abilities that they didn t know they had. Activist Patricia Perez is one such pers
African Ministers of Finance and Development Planning concluded their 3-day meeting with a statement reaffirming their commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa by 2015. The statement called for Governments to act urgently to scale up public sector investments in infrastructure, agricult
For millions of children, AIDS has starkly altered the experience of growing up. In 2007, it was estimated that 2.1 million children under age 15 were living with HIV and 15 million children had lost one or both parents to the virus. Millions more have experienced deepening poverty, school dropout and discrimination as
More HIV-positive children and pregnant women are receiving treatment but there is still a long way to go before the promise of an AIDS-free generation is fulfilled, according to a United Nations report released today. Children and AIDS: Second stocktaking report is a review of progress on how AIDS affects children and
Washington DC 02 April 2008-The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS praises U.S. House of Representatives passage of the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde U.S. Global Leadership on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. The global response to AIDS requires a strong, sustained commitment from
The first session of the Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 31 March to 2 April 2008. The c
The Coalition of First Ladies and Women Leaders of Latin America on Women and AIDS held its IV meeting in the Dominican Republic on 27 and 28 March 2008. The meeting, supported by UNAIDS and UNFPA, brought First Ladies and women leaders from around the region together to discuss ways of moving
High-impact interventions, such as HIV prevention programmes focused on key populations and antiretroviral treatment, should constitute the core of the HIV response across Asia recommends independent Commission on AIDS in Asia. Their new report, entitled Redefining AIDS in Asia - Crafting an effective response , was pr
UNAIDS has launched the first phase of the new editions of its global web site in French, Spanish and Russian. For the first time parts of the web site are now available in each of the 4 official languages of the organization. In a transparent process UNAIDS will continue to translate more of the content so where the
Almost quarter of a million people living with HIV died from tuberculosis (TB) in 2006 according to a new report published by the World Health Organization (WHO). The annual report, Global Tuberculosis Control 2008, also shows that nearly 3/4 million people living with HIV fell ill with TB disease in 2006, confirming t
Four outstanding journalists were honoured on 13 March in Bangladesh for their exceptional contribution to the AIDS response through journalism at the first ever UNAIDS Bangladesh Media Awards. There is a low HIV prevalence in Bangladesh. As a consequence, there is a relatively low level of knowledge and awareness abou
There are never enough hours in the day, says Miriam Maluwa, Jamaica , the Bahamas & Cuba UNAIDS Country Coordinator. The one thing I have learnt is that as country coordinator you have got to be responsive to the needs of the county.
Washington DC 13 March 2008-The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS commends the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approval of the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. The United States leadership role in the global response to AI
It was already a cold night, in Dushanbe Tajikistan and it was made worse that the heating to building was cut off. The indoor temperature had dropped to -40 decrees Celsius. It was however 31 January 2008 the deadline for countries to send their responses for the UNGASS reporting system. Undeterred by the freezing tem
The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) met for its 51st session in Vienna 10-14 March 2008. At this session governments assessed the progress achieved in meeting the goals defined in 1998 UN General Assembly Special Session on Illicit Drugs. UNAIDS delivered a statement to the 51st session of the Commission on Narcotic
The Global Implementation Support Team (GIST) was formed in July 2005 following the Global Task Team (GTT) recommendation that: The multilateral system establish a joint UN system-Global Fund problem-solving team that supports efforts to address implementation bottlenecks at country level. The overarching purpose of th
UNAIDS and UNICEF Regional Support Teams (RST) for Latin America have signed a cooperation agreement with the Lions Club International (LCI) in Central America. The cooperation agreement will allow the organizations to join forces in response to HIV with the goal of promoting universal access to HIV prevention, treat
Meeting Information and Registration Available Online at: www.hivimplementers.com Washington, DC - HIV/AIDS implementers from around the world will gather in Kampala, Uganda from June 3-7 for the 2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers Meeting. Recognizing the rapid expansion of HIV/AIDS programs worldwide, the focus of this year s
International Women s Day on 8 March is a global day of celebration to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. The theme of 2008 is Investing in Women and Girls . UNAIDS Special Representative Mary Fisher and the women artisans of the Lusaka Zambia jewellery project believe income generation projects are c
International Women s Day is celebrated internationally each year on 8 March. While this date has been celebrated since the early 1900s, the United Nations has observed March 8th as International Women s Day since 1977 to highlight that active participation, equality and development of women is necessary for securing p
The Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA) held the first ever Global Forum on Human Resources for Health in Kampala, Uganda from March 2-7, 2008. The GHWA, hosted and administered by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been created to identify and implement solutions to the health workforce crisis.
Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, governments and the private sector have implemented travel restrictions with regard to HIV positive people wishing to enter or remain in a country for a short stay (e.g. business, personal visits, tourism) or for longer periods (e.g. asylum, employment, immigration, refugee rese
The Global Health Workforce Alliance (GHWA) is convening the first ever Global Forum on Human Resources for Health in Kampala, Uganda from March 2-7, 2008. The GHWA, hosted and administered by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been created to identify and implement solutions to the health workforce crisis.
Washington DC 28 February 2008-The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS welcomes the news that the United States House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has approved the Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde Global Leadership on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008. This action sen
According to the 4th World Health Organization (WHO) report on anti-tuberculosis drug resistance released on 26 February, multi-drug resistant tuberculosis* (MDR TB) has been shown to be almost twice as common in tuberculosis (TB) patients living with HIV compared to TB patients without HIV. The report presents the
The biannual international microbicides conference Microbicides 2008 ran 24 - 27 February in New Delhi under the theme Striving towards HIV Prevention . The biannual international Microbicides 2008 conference concluded Wednesday 27 February in New Delhi. The scientific and networking conference was opened on Sunday by
President of the Catholic Bishop s Conference of India , Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo presents UNAIDS Executive Director, Dr Peter Piot the Blessed Mother Teresa International Humanitarian Award at a ceremony held on 26 February 2008 in New Delhi, India. The first ever Blessed Mother Teresa International Humanitar
Geneva, 26 February 2008 - The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are alarmed at recent reports of human rights violations committed against people on the basis of their sexual orientation and their actual or presumed HIV
The biannual international microbicides conference Microbicides 2008 will run 24 - 27 February in New Delhi under the theme Striving towards HIV Prevention . The gathering will enable knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public health workers and advocacy organizations and will provide a forum for the dis
Cairo/Geneva 21 February 2008-The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS urges all parties concerned in the recent arrests, to understand that HIV infection is a condition that requires appropriate treatment and care. All people living with HIV are entitled to such treatment and care without being discriminated aga
Ahead of next week s biannual international microbicides conference Microbicides 2008 running 24 - 27 February in New Delhi we take an in-depth look at microbicides. In part 1 of this 2-part series we look at why they are considered significant in the response to HIV. In part 2 the challenges to the development of this
The annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) began in 1994 as a small meeting of scientists studying HIV and clinicians treating people with HIV. It is now one of the most important annual HIV gatherings and provides a forum for basic scientists, clinical investigators, and global health re
Friends and colleagues, welcome to this 21st meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board. As you know, last week the United Nations was the victim of a terrorist attack that killed more than 60 people. So before we start, I d like to ask you to join me for a minute s silence, to commemorate the life of our drive
The 2008 Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science took place in Boston, USA from 14-18 February and brought together science and technology professionals from 56 countries to discuss the latest scientific breakthroughs and challenges. President of the AAAS, Nobel Prize winner Mr. David Baltimo
It is now 12 years since UNAIDS started work, 12 years in which the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has matured into a truly global institution, supporting national AIDS responses in more than 80 countries. During those 12 years, we have established close relationships with a wide range of partners-networks
Nairobi/Geneva 11 February 2008--The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS ( UNAIDS ) is concerned about the short and long-term impact of the recent disruption in Kenya on the country s response to the AIDS epidemic. In recent years, Kenya has made significant progress in responding to AIDS with trends showing a
Cairo/Geneva 11 February 2008-The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS urges all parties concerned, including the media, to understand that HIV infection is a condition that requires appropriate treatment and care. All people living with HIV are entitled to such treatment and care without being discriminated agai
Continuing with the web special series Making a difference , which focuses on the work of UNAIDS staff at country level, www.unaids.org talks to UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Ethiopia , Roger Salla Ntounga, his role, his motivations and how one document is making history in the AIDS response. Roger has been the UNA
The role of Christian faith in responding to the AIDS epidemic was the focus of a consultation that took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 28 January to 2 February. The focus of the consultation was to discuss how Christian faith and practice can deepen engagement, compassion, and effectiveness in HIV prevention
The Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV and AIDS (OAFLA), held their 5th Extra Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa from 1-2 February. More than 30 first ladies (or their high level representatives) attended the assembly which was held in parallel with the African Union Summit. The First Lady of
In compliance with the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS signed by UN member states in June 2001, 122 countries have submitted their country progress reports to UNAIDS . The reports, submitted every two years, reflect the progress made by countries in their response to the AIDS epidemic. The deadline for submis
Research shows that 89% of AIDS related home based care givers in the North West Province and Mpumalanga in South Africa were depressed or showed signs of depression. The research was presented at the recent World Federation for Mental Health expert forum convened in Cape Town, South Africa, on 29-31 January 2008.
Geneva, 1 February 2008 - Following the recent publication of an article on antiretroviral treatment and sexual transmission of HIV in the Swiss medical journal Bulletin des medecins suisses , UNAIDS and WHO reiterate the importance of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention including correct and consistent use of c
UNAIDS Special Representative Her Serene Highness Princess Stephanie of Monaco has convened a meeting of HIV positive leaders in her home town of Monaco. The meeting, entitled HIV+ Monaco which is taking place from 24-26 January has been organized in collaboration with The Government of Mona
The World Economic Forums initiative for health the Global Health Initiative , supported by UNAIDS , has released the first report on Business Coalitions at the World Economic Forum s annual meeting in Davos. The report is an in-depth study of the activities of Business Coalitions and will help define how they can bett
The Mexican Minister of Health, Dr Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos, made a recent visit to UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva to meet with Exective Director Dr Peter Piot to discuss plans for the upcoming International AIDS Conference taking place in Mexico City from 3-8 August 2008. The meeting follows on from Dr Piot s visi
UNAIDS works closely with the private sector and recognises the significant contribution the business community makes to the global response to the AIDS epidemic. This week, world business leaders will come together at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss global priorities for 2008--including the business com
Country experiences of joint reviews of national AIDS responses were discussed and analyzed at a consultation organized by UNAIDS which took place in Geneva on 15 - 16 January 2008. The meeting was part of a process to develop guidance for National AIDS Councils and their partners at country level to help plan and exec
Working towards the global efforts to reach universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services for all those in need, UNAIDS has renewed its collaboration with the International HIV/AIDS Alliance. The first agreement, which ran from 2004 to 2007, enabled strong civil society mobilisation for HIV p
UNAIDS/World Health Organization Press Release - January 8, 2008
8 JANUARY 2008 | ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA -- National health ministers, public health leaders and HIV/AIDS experts convene today at the first-ever international conference on task shifting to scale up access to HIV/AIDS treatment and, at the same time, expand the global health workforce. Task shifting is a process whereby
One of the major constraints to addressing both the AIDS epidemic and global access to essential health care services is the serious shortage of healthcare workers. WHO, UNAIDS and the US President s Emergency Pan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) are launching innovative new guidelines to help strengthen health systems through
In the first of web special series focusing on the work of UNAIDS staff at country level, http://www.unaids.org/ talks to UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Ukraine , Dr Ana Shakarishvili, about the response in the country, her role and her motivations. In the two years that Ana Shakarishvili has been the UNAIDS Country
India hosted its largest ever gathering of people living with HIV in December 2007. Over 7,000 people living with HIV came together in Shilparamam-Hyderabad on 7 December for a special event organized by the Andhra Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) with the support of UNAIDS
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