UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programme, Paul De Lay and South Africa’s Minister of Social Development Bathabile Dlamini addresses an IAG Connector Event in New York, 07 June 2011.
Credit: UNAIDS/J. Szenes
The International Advisory Group (IAG) on universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support which is made up of a diverse group of HIV experts from various sectors, convened together in New York on 7 June on the eve of the UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS.
Hosted by its co-chairs Bathabile Dlamini, Minister of Social Development, Republic of South Africa and Paul De Lay, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programme, the event is follow-up action to the IAG’s recently held meeting in Johannesburg which culminated in a bold and strong consensus statement on the need for global solidarity for universal access.
The IAG’s consensus statement identified key priorities to change the trajectory of the HIV epidemic, save lives and contribute towards achieving the UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. The consultation was an opportunity for the advisory group to discuss it has been leveraged by IAG members and various organizations in preparing for the High Level Meeting.
We urge IAG members to use this experience to influence the regional and country responses to HIV and AIDS in the future
Bathabile Dlamini, Minister of Social Development, Republic of South Africa
“We urge IAG members to use this experience to influence the regional and country responses to HIV and AIDS in the future,” said Ms Dlamini who suggested that the IAG members to take a leadership role in implementing the outcomes of the High Level Meeting. “It will be important the resolutions take are put into action plans by countries.”
Echoing Ms Dlamini, Dr De Lay said, “The work of the IAG is not finished at this High Level Meeting. In fact, it is just beginning—with each IAG member: as you take the message into the foras where it needs to be heard."
The IAG is mandated by the UNAIDS’ governing body the Programme Coordination Board to review the findings of countries’ and regions’ universal access consultations as well as other global and regional studies and declarations, and advice on the way forward for the global AIDS response.
UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS
The work of the IAG is not finished at this High Level Meeting. In fact, it is just beginning—with each IAG member: as you take the message into the foras where it needs to be heard.
Paul De Lay, Deputy Executive Director, Programme
Thirty years into the AIDS epidemic, and 10 years since the landmark UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, the world has come together to review progress and chart the future course of the global AIDS response at the 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS from 8–10 June 2011 in New York. Member States are expected to adopt a new Declaration that will reaffirm current commitments and commit to actions to guide and sustain the global AIDS response.
