International leadership

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, 29 October 2024—Today, at a special event organized for the G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministerial, the Brazilian government and experts from the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics backed calls for efforts to break the “inequality-pandemic cycle” that is fueling continued disease emergencies. Two crucial measures could enable the world to tackle current and future pandemics.

They urged leaders to recognise, for the first time in G20 history, inequality as a driver of pandemics, requiring both measurement and decisive action. They also championed boosting the development, production and supply of life-saving health products in every region of the world.

Evidence gathered by the Global Council on Inequality clearly demonstrates the inequality-pandemics cycle. Inequalities within countries and between them deepen the disruption and loss of life in current and recent pandemics, from AIDS to COVID, mpox and Ebola. Failure to address these inequalities is leaving communities across the world vulnerable and exposed to future outbreaks.  This presents an important opportunity for the G20, which sets the agenda for international financing, to focus attention and action on the social determinants of pandemics.

The dependence of countries across the Global South on medicine production in the Global North has also been shown to undermine pandemic responses. They are consistently last in line to receive life-saving vaccines and medicines, despite bearing much of the world’s disease burden.

Nísia Trindade, Brazil’s Minister of Health, who is also a member of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics, declared: “By building production capacity in every region, we can learn from past mistakes by ensuring that medicines for neglected and socially determined diseases are made around the world and that capacity is available to respond swiftly to future outbreaks.”

Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Prize Winning Economist, Co-Chair of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics, explained: “Reforms in both the developed and developing countries and in international agreements and institutions, and investments which help broaden the production of medical products and reduce prices are vital to address market failures and accelerate access to medicines for the people in greatest need.”

Sir Michael Marmot, Professor of Epidemiology and Director of the Institute of Health Equity at University College London, Co-Chair of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics noted: “The evidence is clear: social determinants increase the intensity of pandemics. The greater the inequality in society, the worse is the pandemic. But we also know we can intervene against these with education, social protection measures, and making societies more fair. Re-investing in the public good and upholding of human rights will make societies less vulnerable to pandemics.”

H.E. Monica Geingos, former First Lady of Namibia and Co-Chair of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics set out: “To effectively end the AIDS pandemic and prepare for future health crises, we must confront the complex web of inequalities that exacerbate these challenges. Inequality encompasses more than just income disparities; it includes social, political, and health inequities that intersect in significant ways. The geopolitical landscape further complicates these dynamics, as nations characterized by pronounced inequality are disproportionately impacted by the responses to pandemics. This systemic inequality is often reinforced by international frameworks that perpetuate and deepen existing disparities, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive and equitable approaches to health and governance.”

The two initiatives—addressing inequality as a pandemic driver and the move to boost regional health product production— offer a unique opportunity for G20 leaders to take transformative action towards greater health equity and global health security, speakers agreed.

Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director and Convenor of the Inequality Council, remarked: "President Lula has put equality at the heart of Brazil’s G20 agenda. He is right. Inequalities need to be addressed urgently, and the production of medicines and vaccines expanded across the world, or the next pandemic will hit us even harder. G20 leaders here in Rio have the opportunity to transform the way the world responds to outbreaks and pandemics by tackling the inequalities which drive them. We are counting on G20 leaders to seize this moment to save lives and protect the health of everyone.”

Joe Phaahla, Deputy Minister of Health, South Africa, confirmed: “As we assume the G20 presidency in 2025, South Africa will continue to champion the agenda of universal health coverage through equity, solidarity and innovation.”

Tributes were paid to the Ministry of Health in Brazil for its leadership in advancing these critical issues at the G20, including proposing a new Global Coalition for Regional Production, Innovation and Equitable Access and including social determinants of pandemics in the work of the G20 Joint Health and Finance Ministers task force.

Notes for editors

Brazil proposes the establishment a Global Coalition for Regional Production, Innovation and Equitable Access Alliance for Regional Production and Innovation. It is bringing together a network of key actors, including countries, academia, private sector, and international organizations, for research and development and production of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and strategic supplies to combat diseases with strong social determinants and that mainly affect vulnerable populations. For more information on the G20 Health Working Group, see the G20 website: https://www.g20.org/en/tracks/sherpa-track/health

About the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics

The Council was established by UNAIDS in 2023 and is comprised of experts from academia, government, civil society and international development actors committed to implementing evidence-based solutions to address inequalities fuelling AIDS and other pandemics. It is chaired by Nobel Laureate Professor Joseph Stiglitz, Former First Lady of Namibia Monica Geingos, and Professor Sir Michael Marmot who chaired the Commission on Social Determinants of Health. Learn more at inequalitycouncil.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.

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 27 September 2024—At the 79^th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) and the Summit of the Future in New York, global leaders called for the revitalization of multilateralism to address pressing global crises, drawing on the success of the global AIDS response as a model of hope and global solidarity.

"Multilateralism is not a theory – it is the way we save lives and keep the world secure,” Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, told the General Assembly. “When leaders work together for a common mission – anything is possible.”

At a special event convened by UNAIDS, the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria on 24 September 2024, leaders from governments, communities, business, and international organizations all testified to how multilateralism had driven the extraordinary gains made in the fight against AIDS, and how the path to addressing other global challenges had been illuminated by the global HIV response.

“The AIDS response shows what is achievable when leaders unite, when communities are empowered, when inequalities are tackled, when human rights are protected and when science-based policy is backed by political will,” said United Nations Deputy General-Secretary, Amina Mohammed.

UNAIDS data shows that at the end of 2023, more than 30 million people were accessing life-saving HIV treatment, compared to just 7.7 million in 2010. The data also show that since 2010, AIDS-related deaths have been halved, and new HIV infections among children have been reduced by 62%.

Across the week of the UN General Assembly, leaders set out concrete commitments to ending AIDS by 2030. These include closing gaps in access to HIV prevention, treatment and care, ending stigma and discrimination, accelerating innovation and access to new HIV technologies, and mobilizing domestic and donor resources for the HIV response.

UNAIDS set out how ensuring the end of AIDS as a public health threat, and enabling the success of the Sustainable Development Goals, require bold action to tackle global inequalities. Ms Byanyima shone a light on the financing crisis which is choking sub-Saharan Africa, leaving health and HIV services chronically underfunded. "Public debt needs to be urgently reduced and domestic resource mobilization strengthened to fully fund the global HIV response and end AIDS by 2030," said Ms. Byanyima.

Two young HIV activists, Ibanomonde Ngema from South Africa and Jerop Limo from Kenya, supported by UNAIDS to meet leaders at the UN General Assembly, called on governments to work with young people as partners. "Young people are key to ending AIDS. Leaders need to listen to us and include us in policy-making to ensure the progress made is sustained," said Jerop Limo.

Watch Special Event: Revitalized Multilateralism: Recommitting to Ending AIDS Together

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.

Global leaders unite to recommit to ending AIDS during the 79^th United Nations General Assembly in New York

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 24 September 2024—The extraordinary advances made in the global HIV response are a success story of multilateralism. At the end of 2023, 30.7 million people out of a total of 39.9 million people living with HIV worldwide were on life-saving treatment — four times higher than the 7.7 million who were on treatment in 2010. Since 2010, AIDS-related deaths have been halved and new HIV infections among children have been reduced by 62%.

At a special event at the UN General Assembly, co-convened by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, leaders pledged to sustain and accelerate investments, political leadership and policy reforms that will continue the momentum needed to end AIDS and sustain progress beyond 2030.

UNAIDS data shows that the end of AIDS as a public health threat is achievable by 2030, if countries, communities and partners close the gaps holding back progress.

The United Nations Deputy General-Secretary, Amina Mohammed, said the AIDS movement stood out as a beacon of hope and resilience and thanked leaders for committing to end AIDS by 2030: “The AIDS response has been a powerful testament to what is achievable when leaders unite, when communities are empowered, when inequalities are tackled, human rights are protected and when science-based policy is backed by political will.”

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima told the leaders making commitments, “you have proven the power of global solidarity, you have shown that multilateralism is not a theory – it is the way we save lives and keep the world secure. Ending AIDS is a political and financial choice. Today I am confident that you will make it a reality.”

Jerop Limo, a young Kenyan activist living with HIV, reminded leaders about the life-changing impact of progress in the HIV response: “As world leaders, your achievement in the HIV response is not only measured in numbers. Those numbers are me.”

Countries, communities and partners from around the world shared renewed commitments, include ensuring HIV prevention and treatment reaches everyone in need; ending HIV-related stigma and discrimination; accelerating research and innovation; and mobilizing additional domestic resources for HIV to sustain the progress in the HIV response.

A selection of quotes from leaders

President George W. Bush, in a video message recorded for the event, emphasized the need for steadfast commitment to reach global goals:

“In 2003, my administration launched PEPFAR with bipartisan support from Congress. Nearly 22 years later, PEPFAR has saved more than 25 million lives, and more than 5 million babies have been born HIV free. We are on the verge of an AIDS-free generation but at this critical moment the people of Africa still need our support. We should be proud of PEPFAR’s tremendous successes, and we should keep going until the job is done.”

William Ruto, President of Kenya:

“The undeniable success and impact of Kenya’s response to HIV demonstrates the potential of strong partnership. I must emphasize that our steadfast commitment to multilateralism has been the cornerstone of these achievements, enabling us to implement high impact interventions that have saved lives.”

Russell Dlamini, Prime Minister of Eswatini:

“The HIV response is our collective responsibility. Our journey is far from over and HIV/AIDS remains unfinished business. The 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat may not be achieved unless we revitalize multilateralism and multisectoral approaches. Predictable and sustained funding for HIV/AIDS must be increased. Today I would like to take this opportunity to ask all stakeholders to recommit to supporting the HIV response.”

Terrance Michael Drew, Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis:

“It will be challenging for the Caribbean to maintain the gains we have made without the continued relationship with the international community. We have gained much but if we take our eyes off the ball we can lose much and what we have gained we should try not to lose. We cannot take our foot off the pedal but must continue to press until we get to the point where HIV/AIDS is no longer a public health crisis.”        

John Nkengasong, Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator of United States Government Activities to Combat HIV/AIDS Globally:

“We cannot be tired in the fight against HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS will not be tired with us. It is here with us. On behalf of PEPFAR we are committed to sustaining people on life saving treatment. Second, we are committed to working in partnership with everyone here to ensure we close the inequity gaps.”

Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria:

“Two decades ago, AIDS was claiming millions of lives with devastating consequences for families and communities around the world. Together, we joined forces and rejected this injustice, forcing this disease into retreat. That remarkable progress we have made can be an inspiration for ending AIDS as a public health threat for good. It is a goal within our grasp. That requires reaching all people in need of HIV prevention and treatment services and breaking down all barriers to health services.”

Ms. Minata Cessouma Samate, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs & Social Development:

“There has been major progress in the last four decades of the AIDS response but to end AIDS this commitment must continue. On the African continent we need continued engagement and funding—for primary healthcare and to end AIDS. The AU commission is engaged but we need international support to ensure that everyone has access to quality HIV treatment and healthcare services and we need the transfer of technologies to be able to produce quality treatments on the continent. It is multilateralism that will allow us to end AIDS in Africa.”

Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health of South Africa:

“South Africa has the largest burden of HIV in the world with 7.8 million people living with HIV and 5.8 million are on antiretroviral treatment, and we are in the process of putting 2 million more people on treatment. With domestic financing and with solidarity from multilateralism we are very confident that we can end AIDS by 2030.”

Dr. Shrimati Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health of India:

“This platform emphasizes the multilateralism needed to achieve the SDG goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Breaking the silence and building synergies is the mantra of the government of India and we are committed to achieving the target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. It is imperative to consolidate the gains made in this journey. I’m confident that with our collective efforts and genuine partnerships, we can build a future towards a healthier world.”

Mr. Pierre Dimba Minister of Health of Côte d’ Ivoire, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage:

“Today’s focus on multilateralism is critical, because multilateralism has enabled important progress in the fight against AIDS. But the last few miles will be difficult because the challenges are many. We have put in place a plan, including a financing plan and have strengthened our surveillance systems and integrated health services which allows us to work more globally in our approach to HIV prevention, testing and treatment. But we need support from partners to strengthen our capacities and to allow us to benefit from new innovations so that our country isn’t left behind.”

Dame Emma Walmsley, Chief Executive Officer, GSK: 

“Our commitment to get ahead of HIV together and ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 is underpinned by three simple priorities. First, we believe in innovation, inspired by what matters most to the people that we serve. We are developing longer acting options exploring new types of innovative drugs that offer the option to treat at home and our focus on finding a cure is relentless. Secondly, we are committed to enabling access to our medicines, there is no point in innovation without it, regardless of who you are or where you live.  Lastly, and that is what this is all about here today, we get ahead of disease together with the power of partnership. Working across sectors we enable the fastest rollout of a child friendly treatment now available in 90 countries and our commitment to communities is unwavering.”

Daniel O'Day, Chief Executive Officer, Gilead Sciences:

“Upon approval our intention is to make Lenacapavir available at no profit to Gilead in the countries where the need is greatest and until voluntary licensing partners can supply high-quality low-cost versions. We are working around the clock to finalize the direct voluntary licensing costs agreements that will facilitate rapid transfer of technology, allow Gilead to support licensees and getting up to speed quickly and help provide a robust network of manufacturers that is able to produce high volumes at competitive costs. It is my great hope and belief that we are on the brink of the next great advancement in the global fight to end HIV/AIDS.” 

Silas Holland, Executive Director, Infectious Disease and Neuroscience Policy, Merck:

"Since 1985, Merck has been engaged in research and development efforts that have led to significant discoveries transforming the way that HIV is treated. The company is committed to continuing to invest in all stages of R&D to discover, develop and enhance access to innovative HIV treatments and prevention options, as well as developing novel agents for a cure, aiming to improve the lives of people living with HIV. Merck remains committed to collaborative efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030."

Rev. Gibstar Makangila, Executive Director, Circle of Hope, and Faith Representative, Zambia: 

“Our commitment in the faith community and faith-based organizations is that by 2050 we expect 1 billion young people to be living in Africa. What are we going to do about that? What we propose is a new energy, a new engagement that is based on equity, love, tolerance and inclusiveness. As faith-community we are cognizant of the changing dynamics on the ground and therefore our commitment is that we will support all programmes based on an inescapable responsibility and also empathy, compassion, integrity, passion and ethics.” 

Ms. Youk Sambath, Secretary of State, Ministry of Health, Cambodia:  

“Cambodia has made huge progress in its national AIDS response. New HIV infections have been reduced by 46% and AIDS deaths by 36% from 2010 to 2023. Cambodia is one of seven countries worldwide to first reach the targets of 90-90-90 in 2017. I thank PEPFAR, the Global Fund, UN agencies and UNAIDS, without whom these results would not have been possible.” 

Ms. Laura Rissanen, State Secretary, Ministry of Social Security, Finland:

“Today we are still facing many challenges—the global HIV response is at a crossroads and there is no time to waste. The ambitious goal to end AIDS by 2030 as a public health threat can only be achieved by putting human rights and gender equality at the core of HIV response efforts. Finland is strongly committed to enhancing human rights, in particular the rights of women and girls, LGBTQI people, and people living with HIV. We therefore value and support the human rights advocacy efforts of UNAIDS. We must all continue to pull together in these difficult times to ensure that we will reach the finish line leaving no-one behind.”

Mr. George Ternes, Director General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Luxembourg:

“We have all the tools and knowledge. We have everything we need to end AIDS by 2030. The message is that Luxembourg will be there. You can count on our continued support. It is normal that at the end of a fight, you confront the most difficult task. Now there are some really critical ones and the stigma that keeps you from living a normal life in society because you are under treatment for HIV/AIDS – it’s still existing, it’s a major obstacle.” 

Ms. Carina Connellan, Director of the Multilateral Unit in the Development Cooperation and Africa Division, Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland:

“UNAIDS is a longstanding and highly valued partner of Ireland. Ireland is committed to HIV prevention, especially for those at risk including adolescent girls and young women. Health systems strengthening is a priority for Ireland and we know that effective collaboration among global health actors is vital for strong and resilient health systems. It is very important to acknowledge successes, but we know that significant challenges remain. Ireland’s focus will be very much on reaching those who are furthest behind first. Ireland will continue to be a close partner of UNAIDS, and we will work together with affected communities and all stakeholders to end AIDS.”

Mr. Jean Bernard Parenteau, DG for Health and Nutrition, Global Affairs Canada: 

“What really concerns us is the increased vulnerability of women and girls due to the stigma of accessing sexual and reproductive health services, which continues to threaten progress. This is one of the reasons that motivates Canada to commit to making the Global Fund replenishment a success. This also motives Canada to continue its 10-year commitment to global health and rights in the fight against AIDS. Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights are key to the AIDS response. With a feminist approach, a rights-based approach, Canada is committed to 2030 and beyond.”

Mr. Haoliang Xu, Associate Administrator, UNDP, on behalf of UNAIDS co-sponsors:

“The Summit of the Future is about the future of multilateralism, so this is the first concrete step to follow up on the implementation of the pact for the future. For HIV we know the job is not done. Every minute someone dies of AIDS and 1.3 million new HIV infections occur every year so there is a lot still to be done. The co-sponsors of UNAIDS commit to multilateralism and to ending HIV as a public health threat by 2030 and to sustain progress beyond 2030. We are committed to scaling up programmes to achieve results because HIV is about livelihoods, it’s about rights and it’s about dignity. We are committed to working effectively to achieve the task we set out to achieve.”  

The quotes shared above are only a sample from an event which featured commitments by dozens of leaders which are being compiled. UNAIDS will continue to update and share details.

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.

BEIJING, 15 July 2024 – The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and China signed two new Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to advance joint strategic efforts to end AIDS in China and globally.

The first agreement was signed on 10 July by Wang Hesheng, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission and Administrator of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration (NDCPA) and Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, in Beijing. UNAIDS and China have agreed to deepen their collaboration to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, within the context of China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The agreement acknowledges China’s commitment to take a leadership role in the global HIV response including mobilizing partners and supporting efforts to end AIDS in middle- and lower-income countries. 

Mr Wang thanked UNAIDS’ for technical support and guidance around China’s HIV response, particularly in formulating HIV response plans and strategies, monitoring and assessment, as well as UNAIDS’ data collection and analysis.

“We expect to continue and further our cooperation with UNAIDS with this MOU,” he said. “The first steps will be to boost communication and coordination, and actively participate in global health governance.”

According to the agreement, NDCPA will make an annual contribution of USD$1 million to UNAIDS from 2025 to 2029, totaling USD$5 million, which includes increased core funding.

The other agreement signed in Beijing on 13 July with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) addresses critical global development issues to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which includes promoting health and ending AIDS globally, especially in other developing countries in Africa and Asia Pacific.

Luo Zhaohui, Chairman of the CIDCA recognizes UNAIDS’ leadership in the global HIV response and encouraged UNAIDS to apply for more Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF) to address the HIV epidemic.

“Let’s work together to improve people’s health especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.” he said. "HIV is a new area for CIDCA but UNAIDS has a lot of experience so there is huge prospect to have more cooperation.”

As part of this agreement, UNAIDS and CIDCA will fund projects in developing partner countries through policy coordination, community engagement, capacity building and technical insight.

Since its founding in 2019, the CIDCA has provided steady financial support to UN agencies and developing member states. As highlighted at the annual Steering Committee of UNSDCF, 13 UN agencies mobilized more than US$ 100 million in South-South funding, predominantly from CIDCA, which assisted 85 partner countries in the areas of COVID response and resilience, social inclusion, agriculture, climate and energy efforts. Earlier this year, UNAIDS received the first GDF to support Iran’s upscaling of rapid HIV testing. UNAIDS is the second UN entity to sign a MOU with the CIDCA.

UNAIDS looks forward to deepening cooperation with China especially in South-South Cooperation and China-Africa cooperation in the areas of local drug production as well as supporting partner countries.

Ms Byanyima said, “Global South solidarity is the bedrock of the HIV response. It is only by standing together that we can end AIDS by 2030 and I welcome steps towards a deeper partnership building China and African countries.”

UNAIDS will also closely work with the African Union, the African Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the African Medicine Agency.   

Ms Byanyima’s week-long mission to China is her first to the country since she became Executive Director of UNAIDS.

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.

On 19 June 2024, the United Nations General Assembly convened to evaluate the progress made in the response to the AIDS epidemic. The yearly session provided a platform for Member States to reflect on achievements, confront persistent barriers, and chart a course forward towards ending AIDS by 2030. The UN Secretary-General’s progress report formed the basis of the debate. 

Member States celebrated the significant achievements towards ending AIDS, while highlighting ongoing challenges that must be overcome to reach the promise of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.   

The commitment to the 95-95-95 targets and the progress made in eliminating vertical transmission of HIV, especially through the use of decentralized community-based services, were highlighted as pivotal to the success of the HIV response.  

Many member states stressed the crucial role that promoting a human rights-centered approach has had in the fight against HIV. They highlighted the significance of comprehensive multi-sectoral responses, including education on sexuality and robust support for sexual and reproductive health and rights. They pointed to the harm of actions that undermine gender equality and LGBTQI+ rights. They emphasized the shared duty of every country to protect everyone’s human rights.  

The need for continued global solidarity and enhanced multilateral cooperation was emphasized as key to tackling the remaining challenges. Calls for increased domestic and international funding were echoed, noting that sustained investment is crucial to maintaining progress and for expanding access to innovative prevention and treatment options.  

The UN General Assembly annual review served as a poignant reminder of the collective responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of all people affected by HIV. 

Inspired by the lessons learnt from the AIDS response, the upcoming Summit of the Future scheduled for September 2024 will explore how common challenges can be overcome. 

Against a backdrop of geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainties, the HIV response serves as a beacon of how multilateral solidarity saves and transforms lives. 

SALVADOR, BRAZIL, 6 June 2024—At the G20 preparatory meeting in Brazil, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Winnie Byanyima, today urged governments to support a new G20 Alliance, proposed by the Brazilian government, to enable life-saving medicines to be produced in every part of the world. Co-Chair of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS, and Pandemics Sir Michael Marmot also called on G20 delegates to address the social determinants of pandemics, such as education and human rights, as a concrete part of the G20’s pandemic preparedness efforts.

The medicines initiative aims to create a global alliance of local and regional manufacturers of drugs, vaccines and other health technologies and unite a diversified network of local and regional producers to ensure an adequate supply of medicines and technologies for everyone, everywhere.

Ms Byanyima called on the G20 to ensure that the alliance takes a bold approach that strengthens efforts to fight dengue and other neglected diseases, improves global defences against future pandemics, and accelerates access to the latest technologies against HIV.

“Focusing together on neglected diseases and the major killers of vulnerable people is not only strategic, it can deliver during future pandemics,” said Ms Byanyima. “We can be thankful that, for all its devastation, COVID-19 responded to a vaccine, unlike HIV. There is no reason to believe the next pandemic will be like COVID-19.  We need to build capacity for vaccines and treatment.”

The responses to many diseases that impact vulnerable populations – from Ebola to Mpox to HIV – would benefit greatly from this initiative, Ms Byanyima told governments today.

“The alliance can supercharge the HIV response. It can supercharge the production pipeline for innovations,” said Ms Byanyima. “An alliance could also build capacity where it is not. The majority of people living with HIV, who get up every day and take that pill, live in Africa. But few of those drugs are actually made in African countries.”

“Brazil’s leadership and experience in this area has inspired this global effort. And we need the support of the whole G20 to make it a success.”

The agenda of the G20 meeting on health is helping to push global health policy towards tackling the systemic inequalities that drive ill-health.  UNAIDS is coordinating a Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics that is gathering evidence on how inequalities deepen and prolong pandemics, including HIV and COVID-19. That evidence is being shared with policymakers at the G20 and other international forums.

On Monday, world-renowned expert Sir Michael Marmot gave a keynote address the G20 meeting on the potential of focusing concretely on the social determinants to strengthen pandemic preparedness, predict the severity of future pandemics, and  improve the efficacy of responses.

“Improving health leads to a better economy. And the way to improve health is not just to invest in healthcare, but in the social determinants of health,” Professor Marmot said. “For example, in Botswana, there is clear evidence that the longer young people remain in education, the lower the rates of HIV.”

Addressing social determinants, building manufacturing capacity, and enabling people everywhere to access the whole range of HIV prevention and treatment options, including the latest long-acting technologies, is vital for ensuring the end of AIDS as a public health threat. The G20 initiatives would play a key role in achieving that objective in a sustainable way, while also contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and supporting efforts to quickly respond to the next pandemic.

Notes for editors

Brazil's main proposal for the G20 Health Working Group is to establish the creation of an Alliance for Regional Production and Innovation. This initiative aims to establish a network that brings together key actors, including countries, academia, private sector, and international organizations, for research and development and production of vaccines, medicines, diagnostics, and strategic supplies to combat diseases with strong social determinants and that mainly affect vulnerable populations, such as dengue, malaria, tuberculosis, Chagas disease, and leprosy. For more information on the G20 Health Working Group, see the G20 website: https://www.g20.org/en/tracks/sherpa-track/health

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.

WASHINGTON/GENEVA, 15 April 2024—A new report released today by UNAIDS and Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria shows how countries are leveraging their HIV responses to both ensure impact on the HIV response and also to improve broader national health and well-being. The report finds that investing now to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 will not only follow through on the commitment to end the pandemic but also magnify the broader health benefits of HIV specific investments.

The report, Expanding the HIV response to drive broad-based health gains, profiles country examples from Colombia, Côte D’Ivoire, Jamaica, South Africa, Thailand and Uganda. Experiences in these six countries indicate that strengthened HIV responses have contributed to broader health benefits. Far from being in isolation, HIV treatment, prevention and care programmes are also helping to build more robust health systems that enhance access to people-centred care and bolster pandemic preparedness.

For example, the integration of HIV and non-HIV specific services is increasing access to holistic, comprehensive health services needed for people living with and affected by HIV. In Côte d’Ivoire, Jamaica, South Africa and other countries, service platforms originally developed to respond to HIV are leveraged to provide a broad range of health services, including prevention, screening and treatment of noncommunicable diseases.

HIV care is inspiring models of care in other areas. In Colombia, a model of care specifically developed for HIV is now being used for the provision of comprehensive, coordinated care for other chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Health system components strengthened through HIV investments are also improving a wide array of health outcomes in addition to those related to HIV and AIDS. In Côte D’Ivoire, laboratory systems strengthened through HIV investments are contributing to diagnostic services for multiple health issues, including maternal and child health, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and COVID-19.

As progress lags in achieving many of the health targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, efforts to end AIDS stand out as a beacon of hope. Since 2010, annual new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have declined globally by 38% and 51%, respectively.

Angeli Achrekar, Deputy Executive Director of Programmes at UNAIDS, said “This report highlights the need for more purposeful efforts by countries to identify and capitalize on ‘win-win’ opportunities that efficiently and effectively increase the reach of health services to accelerate progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and to reach other health-related Sustainable Development Goals.”

The report concludes with a series of recommendations to further leverage the wider health benefits through increased and sustained HIV investments. It says that particular attention is required to maintain and further strengthen investments in robust, sustainable community networks of people living with HIV and key populations, including networks led by women and young people.

Chris Collins, President and CEO of Friends of the Global Fight, said: “The HIV response is a force for multistakeholder engagement, human rights-based programming, community leadership and constant innovation. These are strengths we need to bring to health services more broadly, including pandemic preparedness and Universal Health Coverage. But this catalytic role for the HIV response is only possible if governments, donors and communities invest adequately and commit to accelerated progress against HIV.”

To join the April 16 (09:00 ET/15:00 CET) webinar highlighting the report findings, please register here.

Thank you to the Elton John AIDS Foundation for its support of this project.

Friends of the Global Fight

Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria advocates for U.S. support of the Global Fund, and the goal to end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. For more information about Friends of the Global Fight, visit www.theglobalfight.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.