Advocacy
Documents
15 years of the AIDS response (2000 - 2015)
14 July 2015
How AIDS changed everything... A look back at the key moments in the AIDS response
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27 February 2025
Impact of community-led and community-based HIV service delivery beyond HIV: case studies from eastern and southern Africa
30 January 2025

Press Release
UNAIDS launches conceptual digital gallery on HIV to reach out and engage new audiences
14 July 2015 14 July 2015UNAIDS opens first exhibition on new digital gallery as UNAIDS launches its new book, How AIDS changed everything—MDG 6: 15 years, 15 lessons of hope from the AIDS response.
GENEVA, 14 July 2015—UNAIDS launched today the White Table Gallery, a new digital platform that will host exhibitions relating to the AIDS response. The first exhibition, entitled Everyday Objects and a Cat, shows how “things” can hold special meanings in the AIDS response and represent bigger ideas around health and development.
The new gallery is an extension of the new UNAIDS book, How AIDS changed everything—MDG 6: 15 years, 15 lessons of hope from the AIDS response. The book includes lessons learned from reaching the AIDS targets of Millennium Development Goal 6 that can inform and transform the work towards achieving the sustainable development goals.
“Innovation and inspiration have been key to the success of the AIDS response. By continually pushing ourselves to ask “what’s new and what’s next” we have remained at the cutting edge of global health,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Platforms like the White Table Gallery will enable us to engage with new creative partners.”
As in every exhibition, individual pieces tell their own story, but also contribute to explain and give meaning to the bigger picture of which they form a part. The White Table Gallery intends to explain the AIDS epidemic using digital media in order to raise awareness and engage young people. The digital platform uses photos, videos, images and audio files to capture stories and moments in time. Everyday Objects and a Cat will run through to October 2015.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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Update
Fast-Tracking the AIDS response for young women and adolescent girls in Africa
08 June 2015
08 June 2015 08 June 2015Considerable advances have been made in the global response to the AIDS epidemic over the last decades. Despite this progress, however, young women and adolescent girls in Africa are still being left behind.
In the sub-Saharan region, AIDS-related illnesses remain the leading cause of death among girls and women of reproductive age. In 2013, 74% of new HIV infections among African adolescents were among adolescent girls. Young women and adolescent girls acquire HIV on average five to seven years earlier than young men, and in some countries in the region HIV prevalence among this population can be as much as seven times that of their male counterparts.
In order to guide regional and global advocacy and inform political dialogue on HIV prevention and treatment among young women and adolescent girls, UNAIDS and the African Union have launched a joint report entitled Empower young women and adolescent girls: Fast-Tracking the end of the AIDS epidemic in Africa.
The document outlines three political commitments to advance the rights and empowerment of Africa’s young women and girls to help Fast-Track an AIDS response firmly rooted in gender equality and social justice. The commitments are to stop new HIV infections among young women and adolescent girls in order to ensure that AIDS is no longer the leading cause of death among adolescents; to empower young women and adolescent girls through comprehensive sexuality education; and to prevent HIV infections among children and keep their mothers alive.
The launch took place on 8 June as part of the 26th Gender is My Agenda Campaign pre-summit to the African Union meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Quotes
“It is fitting that this report is launched here in Africa, as this is the epicentre of the global AIDS epidemic. It is here that we must Fast-Track our responses in order to help end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”
“The commitment to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 cannot be attained unless a strategic and comprehensive focus is placed on young women and adolescent girls in every single African country.”
“In the absence of a vaccine, ending gender-based violence, keeping girls in school and empowering young women and adolescent girls are the best options we have available.”
“We need to educate our children to speak out and we need to speak to them their own language. They need to know that HIV is real. The best teacher is the mother and the best place to educate young women and girls is in the home.”
“As we work with our communities, our networks, our health service providers and our governments, we must commit to demanding a comprehensive focus on young women in the AIDS response.”
Documents
HIV treatment in Africa: A looming crisis
15 June 2015
Africa’s leadership on AIDS has sharply increased life expectancy and steadily reduced new HIV infections. Hopes are high, but these gains are at grave risk. Continued dependency on external AIDS funding and imported medicines and diagnostics threatens to put the future of AIDS beyond Africa’s control.
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27 February 2025
Impact of community-led and community-based HIV service delivery beyond HIV: case studies from eastern and southern Africa
30 January 2025
Zambian football star Racheal Kundananji named UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Education Plus in Zambia

23 January 2025
Lost and link: Indonesian initiative to find people living with HIV who stopped their treatment

21 January 2025


Feature Story
First Lady of Cameroon honoured for her work on HIV
04 June 2015
04 June 2015 04 June 2015During a three-day visit to Cameroon, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé named the First Lady, Chantal Biya, as a Special Advocate. Through her foundation and the non-profit organization African Synergy against AIDS and Suffering, Ms Biya has been advocating for the protection, education and health of women and children for more than 20 years, especially in the context of HIV.
“This award recognizes the work the First Lady has done for decades for mothers and their children, said Mr Sidibé. “We cannot forget the pioneers.”
President Paul Biya, who participated in the ceremony, which was held at the Unity Palace on 1 June, expressed his commitment to the AIDS response and said, “The government and African Synergy against AIDS and Suffering will double their efforts in the response to HIV.”
During his visit, Mr Sidibé met with 16 mayors from the cities of Douala, Bamenda and Yaoundé, home to 30% of people living with HIV in Cameroon. The mayors signed the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities, which calls for ending the AIDS epidemic in cities by 2030.
Mr Sidibé also met representatives of civil society, including religious leaders, and joined Minister of Health André Mama Fouda at the launch of an HIV prevention campaign with truck drivers. In a meeting with the minister, Mr Sidibé noted that the country’s increase in national funding for the AIDS response had had good results and would have a positive impact on development.
Region/country
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Update
Access to HIV testing at work in Nigeria
22 May 2015
22 May 2015 22 May 2015On 1 May, Workers’ Day, UNAIDS joined up with the International Labour Organization’s VCT@WORK initiative to scale up voluntary counselling and HIV testing in Nigeria.
The VCT@WORK initiative aims to increase access to HIV testing services in the workplace and refer people living with HIV to HIV treatment, care and support services. It also aims to empower workers by providing them with information about HIV and encouraging them to find out their HIV status.
As part of the initiative, the Nigeria Labour Congress organized events throughout the country’s 36 states, bringing together workers, professionals, students and members of civil society organizations. Nearly 6000 Nigerian workers—including 1300 young people—took an HIV test. People who tested positive for HIV were referred to appropriate health services for follow-up.
In Abuja in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), service providers linked to the National Agency for the Control of AIDS provided free multidisease screening, which included HIV testing and measurement of blood pressure, blood sugar and body mass index. This multidisease screening approach has proved to be effective in increasing the uptake of HIV tests and offers more value to workers who come to test. The FCT was selected since it is one of the 13 states that account for 70% of people living with HIV in Nigeria.
The VCT@WORK initiative of the International Labour Organization and the UNAIDS ProTest HIV initiative are joining forces to expand the reach of HIV testing to workers and young people worldwide. Both initiatives aim at demystifying and normalizing HIV testing and are exploring ways in which this can be achieved.
Quotes
“I cannot wait to see the sight of a team of health professionals coming to take our blood pressure and conduct checks for blood sugar and HIV for my fellow mechanics.”
“If workplaces embrace the VCT@WORK initiative it could signify one of the most important advances we’ve seen in expanding access to HIV testing within a healthy, enabling environment and linked to ongoing support, including treatment.”
“We can defeat HIV by testing today and accessing life-saving treatment. The VCT@WORK/ProTest HIV movement offers this opportunity. Let’s Fast-Track the response by scaling up HIV testing.”
Resources
Region/country
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Update
Life Ball raises funds for AIDS response
18 May 2015
18 May 2015 18 May 2015The Life Ball 2015 united celebrities and partners in the Austrian capital, Vienna, for one of Europe’s biggest fundraising events for HIV.
Organized by Gery Keszler, Chair of the nongovernmental organization AIDS LIFE, this year’s event featured Charlize Theron, representing the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, Sean Penn, on behalf of the Clinton Health Access Initiative, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern Europe and Central Asia Vera Brezhneva, Mary J. Blige, representing AmFAR, and fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier, who hosted this year’s Life Ball fashion show. Conchita Wurst, winner of the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, performed at the opening show in front of thousands of people.
The evening’s activities began with the AIDS Solidarity Gala, a fundraising dinner under the patronage of Austrian Federal President Heinz Fischer and Editor of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani, and co-hosted by UNAIDS and AIDS LIFE at the Hofburg Palace.
A portion of proceeds from the gala will be used by UNAIDS to implement the first-ever regional HIV awareness campaign in eastern Europe and central Asia. The campaign will feature Ms Brezhneva, whose popularity and social media following will reach millions of people.
At the First Ladies Luncheon, hosted by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and Fashion for Development, Ms Theron highlighted the needs of young women and girls in southern Africa. The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach project works to provide girls with the tools to protect themselves from becoming infected with HIV.
This year’s Life Ball Crystal of Hope was awarded to Sentebale, a nongovernmental organization working in southern Africa founded in 2006 by Prince Harry of Wales and Prince Seeiso of the Lesotho Royal Family. Its goal is to help children in Lesotho affected by the HIV epidemic and extreme poverty.
With more than 1500 volunteers and hundreds of commercial partners volunteering their time and support, each year the Life Ball generates millions of euros to support national HIV programmes in Austria and programmes around the world.
Quotes
"For 23 years, the Life Ball has succeeded in making a clear statement for open-mindedness and tolerance and against exclusion.”
"Everyone should know their HIV status and have access to life-saving HIV treatment, no matter who they are, where they live or whom they love."
"It is sad that in 2015, the issues of “social AIDS” and stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV are still a characteristic of our society. The Life Ball is a loud scream for inclusion and tolerance addressing these challenging issues. I wish that one day, there won't be any need for the Life Ball anymore."
"UNAIDS is calling on all partners to unite in ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030."
Resources





Update
Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation in Africa celebrate partnerships
15 April 2015
15 April 2015 15 April 2015The Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation in Africa—a distinguished group of former Presidents and influential African leaders—hosted a dinner in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 13 April to celebrate the role played by partnerships in ending the AIDS epidemic.
The evening included speeches to welcome five new Champions, a powerful contribution from a mother living with HIV and a special musical performance from Loyiso Bala, UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador for South Africa. Private sector representatives also pledged their support to move forward with the Champions.
Champions who attended the dinner included Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana and Chairperson of the Champions, Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia, Alpha Oumar Konaré, former President of Mali, and Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa.
The dinner came at the end of the first of three days of meetings and talks between the Champions and their partners to mark a strengthened commitment to ensuring that all children are born free from HIV and that both children and mothers living with HIV have access to life-saving treatment. During the day, the Champions also announced that they are extending the scope of their work to cover adolescents and HIV.
Partners attending the three day-meeting include UNAIDS, the South African Development Community (SADC), the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the Economic Community of West African States and the South African Broadcasting Corporation) Foundation.
Quotes
"The 21st century can only be Africa's century if our young people manage to stay healthy and free from new HIV infection, because the inconvenient fact shows us that they are at high risk of new infections."
“I am honoured to attend this very important meeting. I am going to work and work until the job of ending the AIDS epidemic is done. I don’t know about you but I’m ready.”
"Once the cause of ending AIDS is attained, the Champions become winners and we render ourselves irrelevant."
“We have the knowledge and the science to end the epidemic, but we need political leadership to break the complacency and to restore the urgency to the AIDS response.”
"We have a duty to protect young people and provide them with the continuity of care. We must realize that we can’t do business or grow our economies with an unhealthy workforce.”
"The Champions can be our voices so that governments can be encouraged to provide HIV prevention, treatment and care services to all women living with HIV."

Press Release
Champions come together to announce strengthened efforts for an AIDS-free generation in Africa
13 April 2015 13 April 2015JOHANNESBURG, 13 April 2015—The Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation gathered together today to announce new efforts to ensure that all children in Africa are born free from HIV and that children living with HIV have access to life-saving treatment. Since young people continue to be deeply affected by the epidemic, the Champions also announced that they will add adolescents and HIV to their portfolio of work.
“The Champions are determined to keep HIV high on the continental agenda,” said Festus Mogae, Chairperson of the Champions. “We will leave no one behind and we will not rest until Africa has reached the goal of an AIDS-free generation.”
During their three-day meeting, the Champions are scheduled to hold high-level discussions with the President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, the Deputy President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, and leading figures from the private sector.
The Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation was launched in 2008 by Mr Mogae, the former President of Botswana. The Champions transcend political partisanship to speak freely and independently about the issues that need solutions, both publically and behind the scenes. Since November, five new leaders have joined their distinguished ranks: Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa; Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi; Alpha Oumar Konaré, former President of Mali; Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria; and Hifikepunye Pohamba, former President of Namibia.
“Today, we come together as a strengthened group of Champions to reaffirm our commitment to ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV and to ensuring that mothers and children already living with HIV stay healthy,” said Ms Banda. “I am proud to be involved in the Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation.”
As the Champions reaffirmed their commitment to an AIDS-free generation, they were joined by partners that include UNAIDS, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and private sector representatives.
“The Champions have been steadfast in calling for improved HIV prevention and treatment options, and there has been progress,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé. “Now, with their ranks strengthened, the Champions will be even stronger advocates to fast-track the AIDS response in Africa to ensure that every baby is born free from HIV and that their mothers stay healthy.”
“An AIDS-free generation is within our grasp if we use the scientific knowledge, data and tools at our disposal,” said Ambassador Deborah Birx, United States Global AIDS Coordinator and United States Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy. “I am inspired today by this committed group of leaders, who are using their wisdom and influence to move towards an AIDS-free generation in Africa.”
“We need leaders like the Champions who are unafraid to speak out and put AIDS at the very top of Africa’s health agenda,” said Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Other partners of the Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation include UNICEF, the World Bank, the South African Development Community (SADC), the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the Economic Community of West African States and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
The risk of a mother living with HIV passing the virus to her child can be reduced to 5% or less if she has access to antiretroviral medicines during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding.
“Women need strong partners like the Champions so they receive access to proper HIV counselling, treatment and prevention services,” said Lorraine Mashishi, a mother living with HIV. “Women living with HIV can avoid passing the virus on to their children if they get the support they need.”
Currently 21 of the 22 countries that are part of the Global Plan to eliminate new HIV infections among children by 2015 and keeping their mothers alive are in Africa. Since 2009, there has been a 43% decline in new HIV infections among children in these countries, but there were still 210 000 (180 000–250 000) new HIV infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa in 2013. Only 42% of children exposed to HIV were tested for the virus within the recommended two months. Without treatment, half of all children living with HIV will die by the age of two and the majority will die by the age of five.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region most affected by the AIDS epidemic—in 2013, there were 24.7 million (23.5 million—26.1 million) people living with HIV in the region.
The Champions are:
- Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana and Chairperson of the Champions.
- Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi.
- Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique.
- Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia.
- Alpha Oumar Konaré, former President of Mali.
- Benjamin William Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
- Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of South Africa.
- Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria.
- Hifikepunye Pohamba, former President of Namibia.
- Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
- Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, former Vice-President of Uganda.
- Edwin Cameron, Justice of the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
- Miriam Were, former Chairperson of the Kenya National AIDS Control Council.
Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation
The Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation is a distinguished group of former presidents and influential African leaders committed to an AIDS-free generation. Individually and collectively, the Champions rally and support regional leaders towards ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat. The Champions transcend political partisanship to speak freely and independently about the issues that need solutions, both publically and behind the scenes. www.aidsfreechampions.org
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.