Young people continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. While major advances have been made, access to health services, including HIV testing and life-saving treatment for young people, is still lacking in many countries.

UNAIDS, in collaboration with the PACT—a global coalition of youth organizations—launched a competition on 7 December to develop technologically solutions that will collect data to track progress made in expanding access to HIV and sexual and reproductive health information and services by young people.

The data collected by iCount will provide evidence to effectively advocate for improved policies and programmes advancing young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in at least 12 countries.

The competition will run through to 14 February 2016. The winning entry will earn US$ 15 000 for the best technological solution to develop a platform for data-driven accountability, with three honourable mentions winning US$ 2000 each. A formal bidding process will follow to decide whether the winning participant will develop the platform to collect this data. If agreed, the winning entry’s bid would pilot and roll-out the platform in at least 12 countries in 2016, as part of ACT!2015, a global youth initiative supported by the PACT and UNAIDS. 

Using iCount, young people will be able to generate their own, easy-to-understand data to inspire action and mobilize young people to advocate for their human rights and ultimately hold governments and service providers to account.

More information is available at http://youthpact.org/icount/.

Quotes

A young man wearing a striped red T-shirt and faded blue jeans enters a popular bar in downtown Quezon City, the Philippines. He starts speaking to the owner and is soon joined by several other young men. It’s 10 p.m. and the group blends in seamlessly with the other bar customers. The young men are not here to relax, though. They are peer educators and health workers employed by Quezon City’s health department.

“You just get used to it,” said Mai. “The night is to us what the day is for others. It’s the job.”

Outside, a street lamp casts an orange glow on a city ambulance that purrs softly, parked and waiting unobtrusively for clients. The group of men has come to conduct HIV counselling and testing with bar patrons and staff, who are mostly gay men or other men who have sex with men. On this steamy night they test around 50 people.

With nearly 3 million residents, Quezon City is the Philippines’ most populous urban centre and has made stopping a burgeoning AIDS epidemic a top priority.

“Quezon City is unrelenting in its effort to pursue and sustain its programme of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. We remain committed to providing preventive interventions, treatment, care and counselling to ensure our people receive a better quality of life,” said Mayor Herbert Bautista.

UNAIDS has encouraged cities to accelerate their AIDS response by front-loading investments and reaching critical HIV prevention and treatment targets. In the Philippines, Quezon City is leading the push to implement the UNAIDS Fast-Track Strategy in urban areas.

On 4 December, Quezon City hosted a meeting with representatives from cities in the Metro Manila area on how to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Participants adopted the Fast-Track approach.

UNAIDS estimates there were 6400 new HIV infections nationwide and 36 000 people living with HIV in the country in 2014. HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men was 3.3% in 2013, compared to 1.68% in 2011. Among the general population aged 15–49, the estimated HIV prevalence was lower than 0.1% in 2014.

Quezon City: a trailblazer in the country’s HIV response

While a network of facilities catering to the health needs of sex workers has existed since the 1990s in the Philippines, in 2012 Quezon City became the first city in the country to open a clinic providing services for men who have sex with men and transgender people.

Klinika Bernardo, popularly known as the Sundown Clinic, is located along a busy highway. It operates from 3 p.m. until 11 p.m., allowing a maximum number of clients to visit.

“We cater to men who have sex with men from all over the Philippines,” said Leonel John Ruiz, head physician at Klinika Bernardo. “Only 40% of our clients are from Quezon City.”

From the start, demand for services at the Sundown Clinic was high. Almost 250 HIV tests and pre- and post-test counselling services were conducted in its first two months of operation and 18 people tested HIV-positive. By the end of 2014, the clinic had conducted more than 2500 tests, of which a little more than 200 were HIV-positive. The first Sundown Clinic was so successful that the city opened a second one earlier this year.

The Sundown Clinic: a safe space for men who have sex with men and transgender people

While same-sex sexual relations are legal in the Philippines, such relationships are viewed negatively by many people and there is a high degree of stigma and discrimination towards gay men and other men who have sex with men. Fear of being outed and ostracized prevent many men who have sex with men from accessing traditional health services. Studies by city health officials show that two thirds of men who have sex with men in Quezon City have never had an HIV test.

With its row of potted plants and bright green decor, Klinika Bernardo exudes a cheerful atmosphere. It has 10 staff members, with four peer educators, who include men who have sex with men and a transgender woman. Clients can choose the educator who best suits their needs. Instead of documenting and calling clients by their name, the clinic maintains their anonymity by giving each person a number.

Staff are skilled at reassuring jittery clients.

“This is my first HIV test. I do not know what to expect,” said one young man while filling out registration forms. “I tried to read up on HIV so I would have some background information, but it took me awhile to gather the courage to come here. My partner came here with me, too, after hearing about it from our friend. We’re taking the test together.”

The young man found the staff supportive and skilled at easing his fears.

People who test HIV-positive receive counselling on antiretroviral medicines and are accompanied by staff through their initial months of HIV treatment, which is free in the Philippines.

Quezon City’s HIV programme becomes a model for other cities

Quezon City operates the Sundown clinics and has significantly increased investments in its HIV programmes in the past few years. And the city's efforts to scale up HIV testing are getting results. The number of gay men and other men who have sex with men being tested almost quadrupled between 2011 and 2014.

“In the three years that we have been operating, the perspective has definitely changed,” says Mr Ruiz. “Before, we would have a hard time inviting people for testing. Now, most of our clients are walk-ins. People are personally and actively seeking information.”

Quezon City won the prestigious Galing Pook Award for outstanding local governance in 2014 for its pioneering HIV clinics. Several other local city governments are starting to adapt the Quezon City model and establish their own clinics.

While the Sundown Clinic staff are proud of their achievements, they are looking forward to closing shop one day.

“I pray before sleeping,” says Adel, the only female peer educator at Klinika Bernardo. “I pray that there would come a day when there will be no one in need of our services. That’s what I am working for.” 

The many crises, wars and natural disasters around the globe are leaving women and adolescent girls facing a significantly heightened risk of unwanted pregnancy, maternal death, gender-based violence and HIV, says a new report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The State of world population 2015—Shelter from the storm: a transformative agenda for women and girls in a crisis-prone world is a “call to action” to meet the needs and ensure the rights of tens of millions of women and girls caught up in the turmoil of conflict and disaster. More than 100 million people are now in need of humanitarian assistance, more than at any time since the Second World War.

Although remarkable progress has been made in providing women and girls with humanitarian services in the past 10 years, not enough is yet being done to address their particular vulnerabilities, the report argues. It highlights how, for example, their risk of HIV infection is increased and how this heightened risk should inform programmes and assistance. Women and girls experiencing humanitarian crises often face sexual and gender-based violence, including rape, which is a risk factor for HIV transmission. Other factors experienced include trafficking, transactional sex and sex work.

Access to HIV prevention and life-saving treatment services can also be significantly reduced or disappear completely in times of crisis. The availability of medicines for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of the virus is often severely disrupted. In addition, women and girls with disabilities face extra vulnerability to HIV in crisis situations, with even more limited access to services and information.

Shelter from the storm sets out concrete ways in which vulnerabilities can be addressed. It refers to an internationally agreed raft of essential reproductive health services and supplies that should be available from the start of any crisis. This basic package includes programmes to prevent sexual violence and manage the consequences of it, reduce HIV transmission, prevent maternal and newborn death and illness, and integrate sexual and reproductive health care into primary health care.   

Opportunities may emerge from crisis too, says the report. The example of HIV is cited, with well-run camps with sufficient resources enabling displaced people to have enhanced access to services.

There is also an emphasis on moving away from simply reacting to crises as they emerge and embracing a pre-emptive approach that promotes prevention, preparedness and resilience. The report argues that people who are healthy, educated and have their human rights protected are likely to have better prospects in the event of a disaster. 

PRETORIA/GENEVA, 2 December 2015—The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, has appointed South African First Lady Tobeka Madiba Zuma as UNAIDS Special Advocate for the Health of Women, Youth and Children. During a ceremony in Pretoria, South Africa, Mr Sidibé and Madam Zuma also signed a memorandum of understanding between UNAIDS and the Tobeka Madiba Zuma (TMZ) Foundation to strengthen collaboration between UNAIDS and the TMZ Foundation.

Madam Zuma will use her position as a UNAIDS Special Advocate to speak out on issues related to women’s sexual and reproductive health, especially on HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women.

“I am delighted to be here with the First Lady of South Africa, Madam Zuma, to recognize her work to improve the lives of women and girls in South Africa, and to appoint her as UNAIDS Special Advocate for the Health of Women, Youth and Children,” said Mr Sidibé. “UNAIDS will continue to support her in her good work.”

Madam Zuma, as patron and founder of the TMZ Foundation, conducts extensive advocacy work on women’s health, with a focus on HIV, tuberculosis and breast and cervical cancer.

“I would like to thank UNAIDS for having worked with myself and the TMZ Foundation in recent years. I would also like to thank my husband, President Jacob Zuma, for taking bold steps to take us from denial to taking responsibility for the HIV epidemic,” said Madam Zuma. “I am happy and honoured, and pledge to use my position as First Lady of South Africa to raise awareness of these issues.”

Adolescent girls and young women in South Africa between the ages of 15 and 24 are at a much higher risk of HIV. It is estimated that new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women in this age group account for a quarter of all new HIV infections in South Africa.

There are a range of biological and sociological factors that place young women and girls at higher risk of HIV infection, including early sexual debut, relationships with men much older than themselves, who may already be HIV-positive, and gender-based violence.
“Girls should have books, not babies,” remarked Madam Zuma, reflecting on the high prevalence of teenage pregnancy in the country.

The memorandum of understanding between UNAIDS and the TMZ Foundation will help to advance efforts in South Africa to improve the health of women, children and young people as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

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.

Cities have a primary role to play to Fast-Track the end of the AIDS epidemic by 2030 says a report by UN-Habitat and UNAIDS.

Ending the AIDS epidemic: the advantage of cities was presented at the Africities Summit, held in Johannesburg, South Africa. The summit, held every three years, marks a critical time as cities enter the new era of the Sustainable Development Goals.

On the eve of World AIDS Day, it was announced that more than 150 cities have signed the Paris Declaration to commit to Fast-Track the end of the AIDS epidemic by 2030. The report outlines that cities and urban areas are particularly affected by HIV, with the 200 cities most affected by the epidemic estimated to account for more than a quarter of all people living with HIV around the world.

“The Fast-Track Cities approach will help urban leaders and communities to capture this opportunity,” said Alioune Badiane, UN-Habitat’s Director of Programmes. “A Fast-Track AIDS response means quickening the pace to prevent HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths. It means being focused and working with fragile communities, using methods that are known to work.”

The report highlights that city leaders have a unique opportunity to seize the dynamism, innovation and transformative force of the AIDS response to not only expand HIV services in cities but also address other urban challenges, including social exclusion, inequality and extreme poverty.

“Fast-Track cities means accelerated action—I can think of no better place than the Africities Summit to encourage leaders to commit to ending AIDS by 2030,” said Annemarie Hou, UNAIDS’ Director of Communications and Global Advocacy. “We are counting on cities to take the lead in innovating new health delivery systems to reach people who might otherwise be left behind.”

In almost half (94) of the 200 cities most affected, HIV is transmitted mainly through unprotected heterosexual sex. In the remaining 106 cities, sex work, unprotected sex between men and injecting drug use are the main drivers of the epidemics. In the Asia–Pacific region, about 25% of all people living with HIV are estimated to reside in 31 major cities, while in western and central Europe, an estimated 60% of all people living with HIV reside in just 20 cities.

According to the new report, data from 30 countries that have conducted nationally representative household-based population surveys show that HIV prevalence among people 15–49 years old living in urban areas is higher than among those living in rural areas in most countries.

Zero discrimination and full engagement of key populations will be crucial to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030

HARARE/GENEVA, 30 November 2015—On the eve of World AIDS Day 2015, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, stressed the need to reach people most affected by HIV as he spoke at the opening of the Community Village at the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA).  

Mr Sidibé joined hundreds of civil society members, people living with and affected by HIV and other participants at the official opening of the Community Village, where he also underlined the importance of engaging key populations in global, national and local responses to HIV.  

“Key populations are helping us to break the conspiracy of silence,” said Mr Sidibe. “I commend your courage and leadership for building an inclusive and effective response to HIV.”

The Community Village provides a space for grassroots and community-based organizations to present innovative, local responses to the AIDS epidemic and to share information on programmes that are working best among their communities.

“Being here is an opportunity to stand in solidarity with African key populations—sex workers, men who have sex with men, women who have sex with women, trans-diverse persons, people who use drugs, people with disabilities and people living with HIV—in order to end AIDS,” said Regional Coordinator and Executive Director of the African Sex Workers Alliance, Daughtie Ogutu.

The knowledge shared in the Community Village is critical as the most marginalised in society continue to face the greatest challenges in accessing HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services. This is due in large part to persistent stigma and discrimination and other human rights violations, which are drastically increasing the vulnerability of key populations to HIV.

“Coming from a network of women living with HIV, this is a safe space to learn and share with fellow communities,” said Lilian Mworeko, Executive Director, International Community of Women Living with HIV East Africa. “It gives a voice to some of the issues and concerns we have and helps us find solutions.”

Ahead of the conference, UNAIDS joined representatives of key populations including people who inject drugs, gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people and people with disabilities who came together at a pre-conference meeting to discuss common challenges and approaches to advancing health and protection for their communities. The participants explored innovative programmes and solutions led by key populations to increase access to HIV services, monitor human rights violations, eliminate discrimination in health-care and other settings and create the leadership required for inclusive AIDS responses in Africa.

The 18th ICASA conference comes at a critical time in the response to HIV in Africa, as UNAIDS urges countries to Fast-Track their efforts over the next five years, focusing on the locations and populations most affected by HIV to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. 

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.

Fast-Track Strategy to reach people with HIV prevention and treatment and end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat 

DURBAN/GENEVA, 1 December 2015—On World AIDS Day 2015, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, has said that countries are on a countdown to ending their AIDS epidemics and that if swift and effective action is taken over the next five years, one by one they will break their epidemics so that they cannot rebound.

Mr Sidibé made the remarks as he joined the Deputy President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, at South Africa’s national World AIDS Day event, which was held in the Ugu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province on 1 December.

Introduced by Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Health of South Africa, Mr Ramaphosa reflected on what World AIDS Day means to him: celebrating the courage of people living with HIV, evaluating the progress―or lack thereof―of the national AIDS response, recognizing partners and recommitting to the goal an HIV-free generation.

“This is the time for all of us to rise, act and protect. As a nation we must rise to the challenge and be confident that we can succeed,” said Mr Ramaphosa. “Yes, we will be triumphant and yes, we will make progress. As a nation and as individuals we must act to support and encourage others, and we must protect ourselves and those near to us.”

In his remarks, Mr Ramaphosa thanked Mr Sidibé for his role in encouraging South Africa to lead the charge towards ending AIDS.

“South Africa’s story is one of moving from denial to acceptance, from dependency to ownership and from despair to hope, with impressive results,” said Mr Sidibé. “South Africa has shown us not to be afraid of our future, but to shape it.”

Political leadership, community engagement and global solidarity have changed the face of the epidemic in South Africa.

In 2009, only a few hundred thousand people had access to antiretroviral therapy in South Africa. In just six years the number more than tripled, and in 2014 more than 3 million South Africans were accessing the life-changing treatment.

This was made possible by the government’s commitment and investment in the national response to HIV. South Africa invests US$ 1.8 billion dollars in the AIDS response—the second largest domestic investment in the world and the biggest in Africa. South Africa also secured a 53% reduction in the price of the provision of antiretroviral medicines. This has allowed more people to have access to treatment and has saved the country almost US$ 685 million over a two-year period.

The World AIDS Day event included participation by community champions, people living with HIV and a range of civil society organizations. A candle lighting ceremony was held to remember and honour loved ones lost to the AIDS epidemic.

“The world is facing a fragile five-year window of opportunity to break the epidemic and keep it from rebounding,” said Mr Sidibé. “We will not win against AIDS without communities. They are essential partners for the future success of the AIDS response.”

By supporting community organizations and strengthening local services, countries will be able to reach people who are still being left behind in the response to HIV. Ensuring access to HIV services for key populations will lead to healthier and more resilient societies. It will also significantly advance efforts to prevent new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, and to eliminate HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

UNAIDS estimates that a record 15.8 million people are now accessing treatment globally. However, 21.1 million people still do not have access to treatment and 17 million people do not know they are living with HIV. With attention to location and population, countries will be able to redistribute resources to improve access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services and close the gaps towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. 

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.

Red Ribbon Award—honouring the best in community support to people living with and affected by HIV

1 December 2015—On this year’s World AIDS Day, UNAIDS and civil society partners, in collaboration with the organizers of the 21st International AIDS Conference, jointly announce a global call for nominations for the 2016 Red Ribbon Award. The award, which will be presented at the 21st International AIDS Conference, to be held in July 2016 in Durban, South Africa, honours community-based organizations for their contributions to the response to AIDS.

Community-based organizations have been instrumental in achieving the progress made so far towards ending the AIDS epidemic, which has seen new HIV infections fall by 35% since 2000 and AIDS-related deaths fall by 42% since the 2004 peak. Moreover, 15.8 million people living with HIV now have access to antiretroviral treatment.

Winning a Red Ribbon Award is highly respected by community-based organizations around the world. In 2014, more than 1000 nominations were received. The award not only brings a deserved spotlight on the most inspiring and innovative community responses, it also highlights the crucial importance of the community response to HIV and helps communities advocate for their involvement in the AIDS response with local, national and global leaders and decision-makers.

The biennial award is given to 10 organizations that have shown outstanding community leadership and action on HIV. The five award categories are:

• Good health and well-being (Sustainable Development Goal 3).
• Reduced inequalities (Sustainable Development Goal 10).
• Gender equality (Sustainable Development Goal 5).
• Just, peaceful and inclusive societies (Sustainable Development Goal 16).
• Global partnerships (Sustainable Development Goal 17).

These categories highlight the key elements of the UNAIDS Fast-Track Strategy targets to be met by 2020 to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. Community-based organizations active in these categories have an important role to play in achieving the UNAIDS 90–90–90 treatment target by 2020 of 90% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 90% of people who know their HIV-positive are on treatment and 90% of people on treatment have suppressed viral loads.

Each winner of the award will receive US$ 10 000. Representatives of each winning body will present the work of their organization, their priorities, the challenges they face and their approaches to community engagement at the 21st International AIDS Conference.

Nominations will be accepted from 1 December 2015 to 14 February 2016. Nominations can be submitted online at www.redribbonaward.org, where further information can be found. Community-based organizations* working to halt and reverse the spread of HIV are encouraged to apply.

* Please note that only community-based organizations with an annual operating budget below US$ 200 000 should be nominated, and that organizations should have been established for more than one year at the time of nomination.

For more information, please visit www.redribbonaward.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 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

The central role that adolescents must play in the AIDS response was discussed during a two-day consultation held on 25 and 26 November in Harare, Zimbabwe. As part of the All In platform, adolescents from around the world came together to identify ways to meaningfully engage with governments as well as international, civil society and youth organizations.

Adolescents face many challenges that hinder their engagement in the AIDS response. Owing to their age, adolescents are often perceived as only recipients of HIV programmes and not involved in their design, implementation or evaluation.

While there is growing evidence that youth participation contributes to effective policies and programming for young people, the participants stressed the need for investing resources, mentoring, capacity-building and developing adolescent-friendly materials to support their active participation in HIV programming.

AIDS is the leading cause of death for adolescents in Africa and the second leading cause of death among adolescents globally. Deaths are declining in all age groups, except among adolescents. While adolescents are one of the populations being left behind in the reduction of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths, they are also too often left out of important discussions related to policies and programmes that affect their health and lives.

Through a participatory process, an adolescent engagement road map was developed. Adolescent leaders agreed that in order to assure commitment, leadership, partnership and responsibility for ending the AIDS epidemic, they must be supported to organize and better engage with key stakeholders in policies, programming and service delivery.

In addition, the participants defined advocacy priorities to mobilize adolescent and youth communities in their respective countries in order to Fast-Track the AIDS response for adolescents. Key priorities include addressing gender equality, scaling up HIV testing, treatment, care and support, as well as adolescent-friendly information and services, and increasing funding for adolescent and youth-led programmes.

Described as an agenda for collective action, All In provides an opportunity for amplifying initiatives and investments by all stakeholders and addressing the social, political and legal contexts to ensure that no adolescents are left behind.

The All In adolescent consultation held in Harare was coordinated by UNAIDS and the PACT, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund, the United Nations Population Fund, UN Women, the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Development Programme.

Quotes

The global AIDS response requires emphasis on the people not reached by essential services, the places that are hardest hit and the people who bear the brunt of social inequality. Robert Carr’s entire professional life as a social worker, academic, advocate and activist was dedicated to pointing the Caribbean, and the world, in that direction.

On 10 November, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé visited the Kingston, Jamaica, offices of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition—founded by Mr Carr in 2004—where he paid his respects to Mr Carr, who died in 2011, and recommitted to his legacy. Ending AIDS as a public health threat would not happen without concrete investments in addressing social exclusion and promoting human rights, Mr Sidibé said.

Mr Sidibé said, “I will always hold dear the memory of Robert Carr, because he helped us understand we will never end the AIDS epidemic if we don’t deal with people who are excluded.”

Mr Carr was a past Co-chair of both the Global Forum on MSM & HIV and the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS. He was at various times Policy and Advocacy Director of the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations and a member of both the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights and the nongovernmental organization delegation to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board. 

In the Caribbean he mobilized partners around the goal of addressing the deep-seated prejudices that left people excluded and often criminalized, pushing them away from HIV services.

Carolyn Gomes, Chairperson of the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition, said, “Robert’s vision is beginning to take shape.” She pointed to several aspects of the organization’s work, including helping to strengthen the Caribbean Sex Worker Coalition, collaborating with the Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities and supporting burgeoning transgender groups in different countries.

“We try to continue Robert’s special legacy, his subversiveness”, Ms Gomes said. “He spoke truth to power but also had a genuine heart and insistence that voices be heard.”

During the visit Mr Sidibé paid tribute to Mr Carr’s parents, Peter and June Carr. He was presented with Who cares? The economics of dignity, a book Mr Carr co-authored that calls for increased emphasis on people who provide care and support to people living with HIV.

Mr Sidibé reaffirmed his commitment to the Robert Carr Civil Society Networks Fund, which seeks to strengthen international collaboration and provide funding to civil society networks assisting inadequately served populations. Community organizations, he emphasized, are critical to reaching the Fast-Track Targets.