L to R: Anne Weber, Attaché, Permanent Mission of Luxembourg to the UN in Geneva; Daniel Da Cruz, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Luxembourg to the UN in Geneva; UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé; and Natacha Gomes, Multilateral Desk, Directorate for Development Cooperation, Luxembourg.
A delegation from Luxembourg was briefed on the latest initiatives and developments in the AIDS response by UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 9 October at UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
The discussion focused on the thematic priorities of Luxembourg, which include human rights, especially for the most vulnerable populations, women and girls, young people and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Mr Sidibé welcomed Luxembourg’s new health strategy and commended the fact that human rights are an integral part of it.
As one of UNAIDS’ top donors, the country is a long-standing champion of the AIDS response in both its domestic approach to the epidemic and through its support to countries most affected by HIV. Luxembourg is one of UNAIDS’ strongest allies in promoting human rights in the context of HIV, addressing the needs and rights of women and girls, stopping new HIV infections among children and supporting national strategic planning to advance HIV programmes in countries.
Luxembourg is one of the few donor countries in Europe that has maintained its official development assistance at 1% of its gross national income. The country has also recently passed new legislation on same-sex marriage and adoption and became the 11th European country to allow marriage equality for same-sex couples.
"UNAIDS is a privileged partner of the Luxembourg Directorate for Development Cooperation and can continue to count on its financial and political support.”
Natacha Gomes, Directorate for Development Cooperation, Luxembourg
“We have now a very tight window of opportunity between 2015 and 2020. If we don't seize it and use it to accelerate access to HIV treatment, institutionalize it and take AIDS out of isolation, we will lose all the achievements of the past years.”
Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director
