The old saying “What gets measured gets done” may be a cliché, but is still very true for the response to HIV. Over the years, a detailed understanding of the HIV epidemic has emerged through the collection, analysis and dissemination of data, helping programmes to reach the right people in the right place and at the right time. Having high-quality data on the AIDS response has enabled ambitious, measurable and time-bound targets to be set for tracking progress and ensuring accountability.

UNAIDS leads the world’s most extensive data collection on HIV epidemiology, programme coverage and finance and publishes the most authoritative and up-to-date information on the HIV epidemic. Under a mandate from the United Nations General Assembly, UNAIDS works with all countries to collect and analyse data on their AIDS responses and to help build the capacity to generate and use strategic information. UNAIDS data have been trusted and used by countries and organizations around the world to guide and monitor their responses to HIV since UNAIDS’ inception in 1996.

With concrete targets to be met on the way to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, it is vital to have the right data tracking whether the world is on course to meeting the commitments made in the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS.