UNAIDS

Domestic resources have been the main pillar of HIV funding over the last decade, but alarmingly, we are witnessing a decline in domestic contributions for the 4th consecutive year, with a 6% decline in 2023. To #endAIDS, we need increased investment in the HIV response. https://lnkd.in/eNPXXRjx

Day 3 at #AIDS2024 kicked off with an important conversation on Anti-Racism and Decolonization in Global Health. Our Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, mentioned that “health is shaped by inequities like racism, sexism, and capitalism. 75% of people living with HIV are Black or people of color.” She further asked the important question: "How can we fight and end it without addressing the elephant in the room: racism?", and explained how UNAIDS has transformed many aspects of its work through a feminist and anti-racist lens, stressing on “We’re building an inclusive, equitable workplace that welcomes diversity and have developed and adopted our Feminist Principles to guide this effort—a radical approach for a UN entity.” A major highlight was the launch of the Global Parliamentary Platform on HIV and AIDS. Over 370 Parliamentarians from more than 45 countries have already signed the Founding Declaration, pledging to work with communities, civil society, governments, institutions, and multilaterals to build the necessary democratic and political pressure for a more determined HIV response. The Platform is hosted by a Secretariat formed of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, the Global TB Caucus, and the Global Equality Caucus, and supported by the International AIDS Society, UNAIDS, STOPAIDS, and WACI Health. The platform will help restore political momentum behind what is not only achievable but also one of humanity’s greatest achievements of global solidarity: ending the global pandemic of HIV and AIDS. In a session co-organized by UNAIDS and PEPFAR on sustainability, Jaime Atienza Azcona, UNAIDS' Director Equitable Financing, noted that many countries in the Global South are burdened by high debt, causing significant suffering among their citizens. He stated that these countries should be relieved of debt distress to better care for their populations' welfare. UNAIDS delegation also reiterated the urgent need to identify and address the inequalities and disparities that prevent HIV programs from reaching communities and locations in need, and to turn the prevention crisis around. Read Statement: https://lnkd.in/g6XmxMh9 UNAIDS also hosted an IG Live with Winnie Byanyima on youth participation in decision-making. Watch it here: Instagram Live - https://lnkd.in/gBDKn9Q6 For ongoing updates, follow us on Twitter (X): https://lnkd.in/euvP5Bum

UNAIDS is delighted to announce the launch of the Global Parliamentarian Platform on HIV and AIDS (GPP) at #AIDS2024. Over 370 Parliamentarians from more than 45 countries have already signed the Founding Declaration, pledging to work with communities, civil society, governments, institutions, and multilaterals to build the necessary democratic and political pressure for a more determined HIV response. The Platform is hosted by a Secretariat formed of the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, the Global TB Caucus, and the Global Equality Caucus, and supported by the International AIDS Society, UNAIDS, STOPAIDS, and WACI Health, and will provide the space, tools, and resources to unite, strengthen, and amplify the leadership of parliamentarians committed to ending AIDS and new HIV transmissions. By doing so, it will help restore political momentum behind what is not only achievable but also one of humanity’s greatest achievements of global solidarity: ending the global pandemic of HIV and AIDS.

Pank Sethi from Positive East shares his work, highlighting the stories of those impacted by the criminal justice system and people living with HIV. His powerful exhibition is featured at this year's #AIDS2024.

HIV prevention and treatment services can only reach those in need if human rights are upheld, unfair laws are abolished, discrimination and violence are tackled, funding is increased and ensuring equitable access to medicines and innovations. Read the latest #GlobalAIDSUpdate2024: https://lnkd.in/eNPXXRjx

Day 2 at #AIDS2024 continued with more inspiring moments and powerful discussions! UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Christine Stegling, met with Dr. Do Xuan Tuyen, Deputy Minister of Health of Viet Nam, praising the Government for covering 97% of antiretrovirals and advancing key programs to further #endAIDS as a public health threat. In various sessions, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Directors Angeli Achrekar and Christine Stegling stressed the urgent need to tackle social justice issues that affect women, girls and key populations, and to remove harmful punitive laws that worsen inequalities and harm marginalised communities. Aligned to the message of the new UNAIDS Global AIDS Update Report, they urged leaders to take a right path - that of strong political will, increased funding, tailored solutions and programs and that of solidarity, to accelerate efforts and ensure the sustainability of the HIV response. The role of community is especially critical at a time when civil society are facing challenges, such as shrinking spaces and funding. The NGO DELEGATION TO THE UNAIDS PCB held a discussion highlighting the importance of community leadership in the HIV response in designing and implementing programmes and policies that are tailored to the unique needs of individuals and communities living with and affected by HIV. Another session hosted by civil society organisations from Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia highlighted the challenges they faced, and urged for more coordinated efforts among communities, experts and governments.  UNAIDS also held an Instagram Live conversation with Paul Mavesere Ndhlovu, UN Youth Office's Young Leader for the SDGs, hosted by MTV Staying Alive Foundation’s Stephanie Ndlovu. Watch the conversation on Instagram in case you missed it! https://lnkd.in/gH_bVxHB  For ongoing updates, follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/UNAIDS

"Young people inspire. They lead." Powerful message from Shamin Mohamed Jr. from LetsStopAIDS at #AIDS2024! Hear his message 👇

At the opening of #AIDS2024 in Munich, our Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, delivered a powerful speech urging political and business leaders to ensure that AIDS is fully funded, to free developing countries from crippling debt, to make the long-acting medicine Lenacapavir available, accessible, and affordable to everyone, everywhere, and to stand for justice. Listen to her full speech 👇

UNAIDS thanks Chancellor Olaf Scholz for announcing Germany as the newest member of our Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-related Stigma and Discrimination. Protecting rights is key to protecting health. Thank you Germany 🇩🇪 for your commitment!

The #AIDS2024 conference is officially opened! In the opening ceremony, Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, addressed thousands of attendees, including people living with, affected by, and working on HIV and urged political and business leaders to ensure that the work of AIDS is fully resourced, relieve developing countries of debt, ensure global access to the long-acting medication Lenacapavir, and uphold justice. She called on everyone to continue to walk the path of solidarity together, and in urgency to #endAIDS by 2030. Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany announced that Germany is joining UNAIDS’ Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate all Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination, becoming the third EU country to join this initiative. Day one also saw the launch of UNAIDS' flagship report, "Global AIDS Update: The Urgency of Now, AIDS at a Crossroads." The report revealed that of the 39.9 million people living with HIV globally, 30.7 million (77%) are receiving treatment—a significant public health milestone. Panelists, including Winnie Byanyima, Parliamentary State Secretary Sabine Dittmar, Dr. Sharon Lewin, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, and Friedel Dausab, called for decisive leadership to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Following the report launch, the Eastern Europe and Central Asia press conference presented regional figures showing a 20% increase in new HIV infections since 2010, along with a 34% rise in AIDS-related deaths. These alarming statistics highlights the urgent need for increased efforts in these regions. UNAIDS delegation participated in multiple sessions throughout the day, including the Global Alliance Roadmap to Ending AIDS in Children. A new report released during this session highlighted the urgent need to scale up HIV services. Additionally, at the Robert Carr Fund session, UNAIDS, Pepfar, key populations, and donors discussed sustainable, long-term funding for civil society networks and strategies to counter anti-rights and gender movements in today’s complex political climate. The day was also marked by the launch of the "Youth Next Level," a joint UNAIDS and Y Global initiative. This guidance provides practical recommendations to expand HIV youth-led responses at global, regional, and national levels. For ongoing updates, follow us on Twitter: https://x.com/UNAIDS