The health and well-being of women, children and adolescents are central to building peaceful, sustainable and inclusive societies. This is why in 2010 the then United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, launched Every Woman Every Child, a global movement to mobilize and intensify action by governments, multilateral organizations, the private sector and civil society to address the major health challenges facing women, children and adolescents around the world.

Showing his support for these efforts, on 21 April United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres became the third and senior Co-Chair of Every Woman Every Child, alongside the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn. The announcement was made at a meeting of the Every Woman Every Child steering group, held on the margins of the spring meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.

Every Woman Every Child unites its partners to deliver on an integrated agenda for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health and well-being. It also puts into action a Global Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, a road map to ending all preventable deaths of women, children and adolescents within a generation and ensuring their well-being.

The core partners of Every Woman Every Child include the H6 (UNAIDS, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Children’s Fund, UN Women, the World Health Organization and the World Bank Group), the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the Global Financing Facility in support of Every Woman Every Child and the Every Woman Every Child Innovation Marketplace.

Over the past seven years, the movement has galvanized ambitious action and coordinated efforts across sectors. Since 2015, more than 60 country commitments and 150 multistakeholder commitments totalling more than US$ 27 billion have been made by the partners of Every Woman Every Child to deliver on the promises of a sustainable future for all by 2030.

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Victoria is a nurse who provides opioid substitution therapy (OST) to 50 people a day. The OST programme in Belarus started in 2007 as a pilot project with a grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Today, the programme has grown to 19 sites across the country providing OST to nearly 900 people; however, that is less than 5% of people who use opiates in the country.

Thirty-seven per cent of all people accessing OST in Belarus are living with HIV. Victoria says that OST helps people living with HIV who used to inject drugs to keep taking their antiretroviral therapy. People who are HIV-negative also rely on the programme to avoid HIV infection through injecting drug use.

The OST programme in Belarus is available to adults dependent on opioids. It includes the provision of methadone, regular medical check-ups, psychological support and the services of social workers. Eugene Halubitski has been the head of the OST programme at a clinic in Minsk since 2010. He provides medical and psychological support to many clients, including Sergey.

Sergey first enrolled in the OST programme in 2009. Since then he has found a job, got married and became a father. A 2014 study found that every US$ 1 invested into OST saves around US$ 6 from the consequences of drug dependence, such as crime, unemployment, the provision of antiretroviral therapy and AIDS-related deaths.

People who adhere to OST programmes come every day to a clinic to take a dose of methadone, which helps to alleviate their dependence on opioids.

The World Health Organization recommends increasing OST coverage to 40% of people who inject drugs in order to lower the number of new HIV infections.

The financing of harm reduction in Belarus is steadily transitioning from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to domestic resources. OST is almost completely funded by the state.

Thirteen years ago, Alexander took part in a rehabilitation programme. Today, he is a psychologist and helps others to recover from drug dependence through peer counselling, meditation and psychotherapy. His experience shows that a life free from drugs is possible.

During a visit to Belarus, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé‏ met with the staff and clients of an OST centre in Minsk, where he congratulated the work of the centre’s staff.

He said, “I can say with confidence that this is one of the best opioid substitution therapy programmes I have visited. It provides comprehensive and holistic serves which are people centred.”

Clients shared personal testimonies with Mr Sidibé. “They believe in their future now. The opioid substitution therapy programme respects people’s dignity and restores social capital,” he said.

He added that, “We see that the harm reduction programme in Belarus works and needs to be scaled up.”

The evidence of the effectiveness of harm reduction is the basis for a comprehensive package of interventions for preventing the spread of HIV and reducing other harms associated with drug use.

Photo credits: UNAIDS/Alexandr Konotop

I am writing this in memory of my colleague and dear friend Alan Silverman, a retired UNAIDS staff member and leader in the AIDS response.

Alan was one of the driving forces who created UNCARES, a groundbreaking programme to inform United Nations (UN) staff about HIV and to provide education and prevention services. UNCARES also links staff to HIV testing and to treatment if they were living with HIV.

One the goals of the programme is to ensure that staff have a better understanding of HIV and the stigma and discrimination that exists. It also teaches people how to be part of the solutions to ensure all people living with and affected by HIV can live with dignity.

Before Alan retired, he was part of a taskforce that created materials to train UN staff about issues facing key populations including men who have sex with men, LGBTI, sex workers and people who use drugs.

Alan was always trying to make the world a better place. I will miss him. He was such an incredible friend. Words can't describe the huge amount of good he did in the world, for so many of us. 

NOTE: Eric Sawyer is a retired UNAIDS staff member and pioneering AIDS activist. 

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“No time for complacency,” is one of the key messages from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the need to accelerate progress to end the AIDS epidemic as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN Secretary-General met with the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 18 April 2017.

They discussed a wide range of issues, including the unprecedented progress made to date and how to overcome the remaining challenges. They also talked about the millions of lives saved through the commitment of the United States of America’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief programme and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“It is an honour to serve Secretary-General Guterres and to have his strong support to Fast-Track the end of AIDS,” said Mr Sidibé.

While in New York, the Executive Director also met with the UN Deputy-Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, on the UN reform agenda and with the President of the UN General Assembly Peter Thomson on the need for innovation in global health. He also met with Michelle Gyles McDonnough the new Director of the Sustainable Development unit.

GENEVA, 20 April 2017—UNAIDS warmly welcomes the appointment of Achim Steiner as the new Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The UN General Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mr Steiner for a four-year term of office at UNDP beginning on 20 April 2017.

“AIDS continues to impact global development efforts and we look forward to working closely with Mr Steiner to build on the many lessons learned in responding to HIV to advance progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

UNDP is one of UNAIDS’ 11 Cosponsors and its work includes removing punitive laws, policies and practices that exacerbate gender inequality, stigma and discrimination and hinder effective responses to HIV. It also works to strengthen governance and coordination of national HIV responses to ensure maximum impact and efficiency in efforts to end the AIDS epidemic.

UNAIDS will work closely with Mr Steiner in his new role as Administrator of UNDP in addressing the wide-ranging social and economic impacts of HIV, ensuring respect for the human rights of people living with and affected by HIV and strengthening the synergies between health and sustainable development.

Mr Steiner was the Director of Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford and Professorial Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford in 2016, prior to which he held a number of international positions, including Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (2006-2016), Director-General of the United Nations Office in Nairobi (2009-2011) and Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (2001-2006).

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.

GENEVA, 31 March 2017—UNAIDS welcomes the appointment of David Beasley as the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).

“The appointment of David Beasley comes at a critical moment,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “WFP’s work to achieve food security is at the heart of global efforts to break the cycle of hunger and poverty and essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals which include ending the AIDS epidemic.”

WFP has recently reported that more than 100 million people are facing severe food insecurity around the world and 20 million people in four countries (South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Yemen) are currently facing famine.

During humanitarian crises, access to health care services and availability of medicines for people living with HIV are disrupted, and people find it hard to meet their nutritional needs, further risking their health.

WFP, a UNAIDS Cosponsor, works to integrate food and nutrition within the comprehensive care, treatment and support package for people living with HIV and/or active tuberculosis (TB). WFP also works with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure that food security and related needs are adequately addressed among displaced, refugee and returnee populations. Together they support HIV and TB prevention and care, as well as food and nutrition assistance activities in humanitarian emergencies.

Integrating food and nutrition components in HIV and TB treatment and support packages is critical to ensuring better health outcomes for people living HIV and/or TB. In 2015, WFP’s HIV and TB programmes reached 540 000 people.

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.

Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director, met with the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, at the end of his first official visit to Belarus. During the meeting, Mr Sidibé highlighted the President’s leadership on HIV as critical to the country’s significant progress in the AIDS response.

President Lukshensko acknowledged the strategic partnership between Belarus and UNAIDS as being essential to the progress made in the country. In 2017, UNAIDS will commemorate 20 years since the opening of its office in Minsk.

Mr Sidibé called on President Lukashenko to build the momentum and put Belarus on the Fast-Track to end AIDS, as was called for by the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS. Mr Sidibé encouraged President Lukashenko to continue to scale up the successful HIV prevention programmes among populations at higher risk of HIV infection and make Belarus the first country in eastern Europe and central Asia to end AIDS.

The President presented the Medal of Francysk Skaryna to Mr Sidibé in recognition of his contribution to the global AIDS response and the development of health care in Belarus.

Belarus has been certified by the World Health Organization as having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV. It has full coverage of antiretroviral therapy for all women and children living with HIV and increased government funding for the national AIDS response to cover more than 80% of all AIDS expenditures.

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The AIDS response in Africa has come a long way and the continent is seeing results in many areas, including the dramatic reduction in the number of babies being born with HIV and an equally dramatic increase in access to HIV treatment. Nevertheless, inequalities in access to health, especially for key populations and adolescent girls and young women, remain a major barrier to ending AIDS as a public health threat in Africa by 2030.

These issues were the focus of a high-level dialogue between the Champions for an AIDS-Free Generation in Africa, a distinguished group of former presidents and influential African leaders, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and civil society representatives in Pretoria, South Africa, on 30 March.

The Royal Commonwealth Society, which promotes the values of the Commonwealth of Nations, has found that 41 of its 53 member states criminalize consensual same-sex relationships in some way. Across these member states, many of which are in Africa, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people face high levels of discrimination, harassment and violence in their everyday lives. 

Adolescent girls face a higher risk of HIV infection, with those in the age group 15–19 being the only age group for which AIDS-related deaths are increasing in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015, an estimated 64% of all adolescents aged 15–19 years living with HIV in the region in 2015 were girls.

Participants in the dialogue made it clear that removing barriers that are holding back progress in the AIDS response, such as punitive laws, prosecutions, policies and practices that block access to HIV services, is critical to reaching the people being left behind.

The round-table dialogue was convened by the Champions, the Royal Commonwealth Society, Access Chapter 2, the Kaleidoscope Trust and the African Think Tank on HIV, Health and Social Justice. It is one of the advocacy mechanisms and platforms that these partners will use to respond to these complex issues.

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UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé visited a generic medicine manufacturer in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 24 March following his attendance at a meeting of francophone mayors on HIV. CIPHARM, the leading pharmaceutical company in Côte d’Ivoire, produces a number of medicines, ranging from antihistamines to antibiotics. During the visit, Ibrahim Diawara, the Chief Executive Officer of CIPHARM, told Mr Sidibé that the company wanted to begin the production of antiretroviral medicines.

UNAIDS has been encouraging the local production of antiretroviral medicines in Africa, the continent with the highest HIV burden. In western and central Africa, three out four people living with HIV do not have access to treatment.

Mr Sidibé committed UNAIDS’ help for CIPHARM to fulfil the norms of the World Health Organization for antiretroviral therapy production and to promote regional and local production.

Since 2014, the Economic Community of West African States has pursued a Regional Pharmaceutical Plan to strengthen its pharmaceutical industry and ensure the production of quality, safe and affordable medicines accessible by the region’s population. 

UNAIDS is working with countries to ensure that, by 2020, 30 million people living with HIV are accessing treatment.

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High-level representatives of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden came together on 28 March to discuss how to accelerate efforts in implementing the UNAIDS Fast-Track approach to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. During the Nordic consultation, hosted and chaired by State Secretary Ulrika Modéer, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sweden, the participants discussed obstacles and opportunities for progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, shared his vision and perspective on the opportunities towards ending AIDS and spoke about the recent reform of UNAIDS. The link between sexual and reproductive health and HIV was discussed, as was the need for greater efficiencies, reform in the global health architecture in order that health becomes more effective and a reduction of fragmentation. 

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