Press release and statement archive

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is deeply saddened by the death of Andrew Hunter, who was known and respected for his tireless promotion of the rights of people from key populations most at risk of HIV, particularly sex workers.

The governing body of UNAIDS––the Programme Coordinating Board—has concluded its three-day meeting in Geneva. The Board called on UNAIDS to support on-going country and international processes to set revised national targets for universal access to HIV treatment.

The campaign, ‘Where history is made,’ invites guests to make history and make a pledge for an AIDS-free generation

UNAIDS expresses its deep concern that, through its recent decision on the constitutionality of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, the Supreme Court of India has re-criminalized adult consensual same sex sexual conduct. In 2009, the Delhi High Court had found unconstitutional the application of the 150-year-old law criminalizing...

HIV has taught us that health and human rights are intricately linked and that we need to protect and respect human rights and be courageous enough to confront society’s wrongs. It is unacceptable that women and girls, sex workers, people who use drugs, migrants, prisoners, men who have sex with...

A new report by Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA), supported by UNAIDS, showed that 5.4% or US$ 0.5 billion of total international funding available for HIV in low- and middle-income countries was from philanthropic sources. Globally in 2012, US$ 636 million came from private donors.

We remember his extraordinary commitment to dignity, human rights and hope

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes a US$ 12 billion commitment by international partners to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) at its Fourth Replenishment meeting in Washington DC and fully supports the new funding model.

I urge all stakeholders to continue to demonstrate your unwavering support by making the strongest possible commitment to the Global Fund. This is a morally and financially sound investment in our shared future.

The international community will decide this week in Washington whether or not to take the next big step on the path to ending AIDS. At a special conference, they will be pledging new contributions to replenish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. This is one of the...

The initiative will launch the new Zero Discrimination Day on 1 March 2014, adopting the butterfly as the transformative symbol for zero discrimination.

UNICEF report shows that new infections among adolescents could be halved by 2020 with targeted and increased investment

For the first time we can see an end to an epidemic that has wrought such staggering devastation around the world. For the first time we can say that we are beginning to control the epidemic and not that the epidemic is controlling us.

Gender-based violence is a serious violation of human rights and increases the risk of HIV infection. Recent research has established a clear association between intimate partner violence and HIV, with women experiencing such violence facing a 50% increased risk of acquiring HIV.

Renewed commitment needed in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa and for key populations.

In a bid to encourage more Ugandan citizens to know their HIV status, President Museveni took an HIV test at the Kiswa Health Centre in Kampala, Uganda in front of government officials, reporters and community members.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) expresses deep gratitude to Ambassador Eric Goosby for his outstanding work on the AIDS response as United States Global AIDS Coordinator and head of the Department of State’s Office of Global Health Diplomacy. Ambassador Goosby stepped down from his position on 1...

Shifting demographics of the AIDS epidemic demands a new focus to reach people above the age of 50––a population currently underserved by HIV services.

UNAIDS welcomes the recent lifting of all restrictions on entry, stay and residence for people living with HIV in Uzbekistan. The reforms were passed by Parliament in August of 2013 and signed by the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, on 23 September 2013.

As world leaders prepare to meet at the United Nations General Assembly to review progress towards the Millennium Development Goals—a new report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) shows dramatic acceleration towards reaching 2015 global targets on HIV.

As world leaders prepare to meet to review progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) evaluates international efforts to finance the response to the AIDS epidemic.

Globally, an estimated 4.6 million young people are living with HIV. Each day, about 2300 young people are newly infected with HIV. Many young people living with HIV do not have access to treatment or do not know their HIV status.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe of Uganda as his Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

There is no evidence that punitive approaches—particularly those that single out members of key populations––are effective in responding to HIV. On the contrary, such measures deter people most affected by HIV from accessing lifesaving HIV prevention and care services.

UNAIDS asks the Cameroonian Government to pursue a thorough investigation into the death of Mr Lembembe.

The report, Abuja +12: Shaping the future of health in Africa, published by the African Union (AU) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), reviews progress made since the AU’s 2001 Abuja Declaration—in which leaders pledged to mobilize domestic and international resources for health and remove barriers to...

The framework, entitled Treatment 2015, offers countries and partners both practical and innovative ways to increase the number of people accessing antiretroviral medicines. These medicines will not only enable people living with HIV to live longer and healthier lives, they will also help prevent new HIV infections.

Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka was the first woman to hold the position of Deputy President of South Africa. She also played a central role in the government’s HIV programme, serving as chair of the South African National AIDS Council where she took the lead in ensuring broader and more cohesive collaboration with...

In a joint visit to Kenya, the leaders of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria signaled strong partnership to defeat infectious diseases including HIV and tuberculosis (TB).

Commissioners conclude that defeating the AIDS epidemic and delivering good health and rights are non-negotiable pillars in the post-2015 development agenda

A new report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF shows a huge acceleration in the roll out and uptake of antiretroviral therapy since 2011. A record 9.7 million people living with HIV were accessing treatment in 2012 compared to just...

New global report released at IAS 2013 highlights funding trends, opportunities and challenges for HIV prevention R&D

And calls on Member States to honour their commitment towards agreed HIV targets and goals

New report also shows that access to treatment remains unacceptably low for children––only 3 in 10 children in need of treatment have access in most of the ‘Global Plan’ priority countries

Commissioners announced ahead of first meeting of the UNAIDS and Lancet Commission: From AIDS to Sustainable Health to be held in Lilongwe, Malawi on 28-29 June

On this 10th anniversary of PEPFAR we are able to celebrate its extraordinary success. Not only did it achieve its initial goals but it has surpassed them by a wide margin. By 2012 PEPFAR was supporting treatment for more than 5 million people and providing care and support to 15...

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes new findings announced today that an antiretroviral medicine, taken daily as a prophylaxis, can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 49% for HIV-negative men and women who inject drugs.

The Joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes the recent announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) that for the first time a non-surgical device (PrePex™) has been pre-qualified for the purpose of adult male circumcision for HIV prevention.

ILO Director-General and UNAIDS Executive Director launch new programme on voluntary and confidential HIV counselling and testing to reach 5 million workers world-wide

UNAIDS’ new panel will convene a series of scientific consultations to ensure that the best scientific evidence is used to inform the global response to HIV

African leaders reviewed progress made in implementing a Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity for AIDS, TB and Malaria Response in Africa, which they adopted last July to chart a new course for the continent’s response to the three diseases.

The Champions for an HIV free Generation, first launched in 2008 by His Excellency Festus Mogae, former president of the Republic of Botswana, have pledged to ramp up efforts to stop new HIV infections in children, end stigma and discrimination and expand effective HIV prevention and treatment programmes across Africa.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and leading medical journal The Lancet have convened a new commission of political and health leaders to explore the post-2015 agenda of AIDS and global health.

African and G8 governments have made significant progress against several major commitments to improve health in Africa over the past decade, but must commit to new investments for AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria.

As the African Union (AU) begins its 21st summit in Addis Ababa, celebrating 50 years of African unity, The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has released Update a new report on the AIDS response in Africa, documenting the remarkable recent progress against HIV on the continent.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is deeply saddened by the death of Shivananda Khan, an AIDS activist who was known and respected for his tireless promotion of the rights of men who have sex with men and transgender people.

The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 20 May marking a new commitment to the HIV response in the Arab Region.

More than 30 years ago, gay men lit the first spark that kindled the world’s response to the AIDS epidemic. Thanks to the audacity and courage of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people, we have now seen extraordinary progress against AIDS around the world.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) joins partners and allies around the world in recognizing World AIDS Vaccine Day.

The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes Ambassador Roberto Azevêdo of Brazil as the as the next Director-General of the World Trade Organization.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes the announcement made by the Rt Hon George Osborne, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the United Kingdom will meet its target of spending 0.7% of gross national income on international development this year.

Every day more than 1000 people living with HIV die of tuberculosis. This is unacceptable. Today we have the knowledge and the power to stop HIV and TB in their tracks. By integrating HIV and TB services and systems, we can save millions of lives and millions of dollars.

“I give my warm wishes to Pope Francis as he assumes the papacy. His unwavering commitment to serve people most in need is an inspiration to us all,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “I look forward to working with His Holiness so that the Catholic Church can advance...

On this day when we honour women, let me speak directly to the men. As husbands and partners, brothers and sons, we must be part of the solution to build a world where women and men are equal.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and UNICEF welcome a new case study, which found a baby treated with antiretroviral drugs in the first 30 hours of life and who continued on HIV treatment for 18 months appeared to be functionally cured.

The United Nations Secretary-General has appointed Ray Chambers as the first Special Envoy for Financing the Health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As part of his expanded role, Mr Chambers will promote increased investment by the public and private sectors for the AIDS response.

The new agreement is a significant step forwards in HIV treatment for children as very few antiretroviral drugs are formulated for paediatric use. In 2012 UNAIDS estimated that 72% of children living with HIV who were eligible for treatment did not have access.

UNAIDS and UNDP today launched a new Issue Brief TRIPS transition period extensions for least-developed countries. The Issue Brief outlines that failure to extend the transition period for least-developed countries to become fully compliant with the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) could seriously impede access to...

The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) applauds Senegalese President Macky Sall on his election as chairperson of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development’s (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee.

The United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes the recent law reforms in Mongolia that have removed all travel restrictions and other discriminatory provisions for people living with HIV. The reforms which were passed by Mongolia’s Parliament in mid-December of last year took effect on 15 January 2013.

The campaign aims to harness the power of football to raise awareness of HIV