Press release and statement archive

World-leading virologist appointed to head new African Union-based public health body

As 2016 draws to a close, UNAIDS welcomes new funding commitments from our partners in the Nordic region for 2017.

At its 39th meeting, the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board welcomed the significant progress made in the response to HIV and stressed the need for sustained investment, strengthened commitment, partnerships and innovation to enable more countries to accelerate the delivery of services to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The communities most affected by HIV must be meaningfully involved in the AIDS response if we are to overcome the stigma, discrimination and denial of human rights that continue to put people at risk of HIV and deny them access to HIV prevention and treatment services.

Upon the release of compelling new evidence of national AIDS programme successes in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, UNAIDS congratulates the countries as well as the United States of America for its consistently outstanding support to the global AIDS response.

On the eve of World AIDS Day, UNAIDS has hosted a special event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States of America, to commemorate World AIDS Day. The event, Moving Forward Together: Leaving No One Behind, was also held to honour the leadership of the United Nations...

UNAIDS recognizes Mr Ban for his outstanding efforts to ensure access to HIV services for all and for speaking out for the most marginalized in society.

Today, we commemorate World AIDS Day—we stand in solidarity with the 78 million people who have become infected with HIV and remember the 35 million who have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the first cases of HIV were reported.

UNAIDS and media partner StarTimes are working together to reach millions of people with World AIDS Day messages on the theme of HIV prevention. UNAIDS has produced two short videos that promote the life-cycle approach to HIV prevention—finding HIV solutions for everyone, at every stage of life. StarTimes will broadcast...

In support of the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on 10 December, Human Rights Day, UNAIDS is calling for urgent action to keep girls in school, end gender-based violence and...

New UNAIDS report shows that people are particularly vulnerable to HIV at certain points in their lives and calls for a life-cycle approach to find solutions for everyone at every stage of life

At the close of the 2016 BRICS Summit in Goa, India, leaders of the BRICS countries (Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) have underlined the imperative of advancing cooperation and action to respond to the epidemics of HIV and tuberculosis.

UNAIDS extends a warm welcome to the new Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres. Mr Guterres will succeed the current United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, who leaves office at the end of this year, having held the position since January 2007.

On this International Day of the Girl Child, UNAIDS strongly supports the call by the United Nations for better age- and sex-specific data that can be used to improve the health and well-being of girls aged 10–19 years old.

UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Victoria Beckham and her son, Brooklyn Beckham, have completed a three-day mission to Kenya with Born Free Africa and UNAIDS to raise awareness about HIV.

The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé, has appointed the First Lady of Namibia, Monica Geingos, as UNAIDS Special Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls.

UNAIDS applauds all donors and partners for their demonstration of a strong commitment to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund).

Ahead of the Fifth Replenishment Conference of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (Global Fund), to be held in Montreal, Canada, on 16 and 17 September, UNAIDS is calling on donors to fully fund the Global Fund.

Chinese version of award-winning book is launched at the Opening Ceremony.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé has presented the President of Xinhua News Agency, Cai Mingzhao with the UNAIDS Leaders and Innovators Award in recognition of his leadership as a media partner and his contribution to the AIDS response

Ten exceptional community-based organizations have won the 2016 Red Ribbon Award for their inspiring work towards ending or reducing the impact of the AIDS epidemic. They were presented with the prize in a special session at the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) in Durban, South Africa.

Funding declined from a majority of donor governments assessed, including the U.S.

Globally, new HIV infections among adults and children were reduced by 40% since the peak in 1997. However, new analysis from UNAIDS shows that new HIV infections among adults have stalled, failing to decline for at least five years. The report outlines what is needed to step up prevention efforts

UNAIDS has appointed Swiss tennis player Timea Bacsinszky as a Global Advocate for Young People. The announcement was made during the Women’s Tennis Association Ladies Championship Gstaad, taking place in Gstaad, Switzerland, from 9 to 17 July.

At its 38th meeting, the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board has stressed the need for accelerated action, increased investment, intensified partnerships and innovation in community-led service delivery to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Supporters of UNAIDS attended its annual fundraising gala on 13 June. Held at Design Miami Basel on the eve of the Art Basel art festival, the gala raised more than US$ 1 million to support the work of UNAIDS to increase access to HIV prevention and treatment services worldwide, particularly...

UNAIDS joins the United Nations Secretary-General in extending condolences to the families of the victims

Former United Nations Secretary-General recognized for his outstanding and remarkable contributions to the AIDS response

The new Political Declaration adopted by United Nations Member States charts a course to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030

Following the adoption of the 2016 United Nations General Assembly Political Declaration new investment fund recognizes the need to ensure no one is left behind in the AIDS response

At the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, taking place in New York, United States of America, the Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) has called for the stronger integration of services to improve health outcomes among adolescent girls and young women.

World leaders commit to reach three goals and 20 new Fast-Track Targets by 2020, including doubling the number of people on HIV treatment and reaching all people with prevention services

United Nations Member States agree to reach ambitious new targets by 2020, pledging to leave no one behind and end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030

Concerted global efforts have led to a 60% drop in new infections among children, which has averted 1.2 million new HIV infections among children in 21 priority countries since 2009

Thailand today received validation from WHO for having eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, becoming the first country in Asia and the Pacific region and also the first with a large HIV epidemic to ensure an AIDS-free generation. The Minister of Health of Thailand was presented with the certificate...

United Nations agencies congratulate Belarus for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and syphilis and Armenia and the Republic of Moldova for eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis, respectively. During a ceremony in New York City, elimination validation certificates were presented to the ministers of health of the three...

UNAIDS has appointed amfAR Chair and leading fashion designer Kenneth Cole as a UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador. The announcement was made at a special event held on the eve of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, taking place in New York, United States of America, from...

More than 30 cities playing a leading role in the AIDS response meet to discuss ongoing strategies and innovations in their cities that are improving health and development

UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, stresses the importance of a people-centred approach at up-coming United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS

New report from UNAIDS shows that the number of people accessing antiretroviral medicines has more than doubled since 2010

The First Lady of Panama, Lorena Castillo de Varela, said that accelerating the AIDS response and empowering women and girls is key to ending the AIDS epidemic

From 8 to 10 June 2016, world leaders, government representatives, HIV programme implementers and civil society organizations from across the world will gather at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States of America, to chart the way forward to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030...

On HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, UNAIDS calls for greater resources and increased collaboration among governments, the scientific community and the private sector to advance research towards finding an effective HIV vaccine.

UNAIDS stands with people and organizations around the world in commemorating the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT) on 17 May, the day 26 years ago when the World Health Organization declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. The IDAHOT theme for 2016 is mental health and well-being.

Antiretroviral therapy to be offered to all people living with HIV as soon as possible after HIV-positive diagnosis

New report from the United Nations Secretary-General warns that major gains could be lost if action does not accelerate over the next five years and urges countries to react by front-loading investments and increasing action.

UNAIDS welcomes the United Nations General Assembly’s call for Member States to consider effective public health measures to improve outcomes for people who use drugs and urges countries to implement programmes that reduce the impact of the harms associated with drug use.

A new UNAIDS report says insufficient coverage of harm reduction programmes and policies that criminalize and marginalize people who inject drugs are failing to reduce new HIV infections

UNAIDS International Goodwill Ambassador Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has completed a mission to the United Republic of Tanzania to assess progress made in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and to see how young people are engaging in the country’s AIDS response.

Civil society urges United Nations Member States to include financing, services and rights commitments as priorities in the 2016 Political Declaration on Ending AIDS

Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS, UNAIDS announced new investment needs to Fast-Track the AIDS response. The projected need of US$ 26.2 billion in 2020 is down from a previous estimate of US$ 30 billion. New findings suggest that the world can reach ambitious...

On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, UNAIDS is calling for stronger partnerships and a united approach to end the twin epidemics of TB and HIV and save millions of lives. It has never been more urgent for governments, the medical and scientific communities, the private sector and people affected by the...

As part of the global effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), countries around the world reported major gains in the health and wellbeing of women and children between 1990 and 2015. The global rate of maternal mortality fell by 47 per cent and child mortality declined by 49...

UNAIDS welcomes the roll-out of South Africa’s National Sex Worker HIV Plan, 2016–2019. Launched by the Deputy President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, in his role as the Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), this unique plan will ensure equitable access to health and legal services for...

UNAIDS and telecommunications operator Orange have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on a new project to strengthen links between health-care providers and people living with and affected by HIV through the use of mobile technology.

On International Women’s Day, the world must reaffirm its commitment to achieving full respect for women’s human rights both as a moral obligation and as a keystone for a safer, fairer and healthier world.

In just under 100 days, world leaders will gather in New York to agree on ways of ending the AIDS epidemic for good

On 1 March, people around the world will be joining together to celebrate Zero Discrimination Day. This year’s theme is Stand Out and encourages everyone to stand for fair and just societies.

Results from two recent studies of a monthly vaginal ring show modest protection from HIV infection for women

Every day, more than one million people acquire a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and every year there are estimated to be around 80 million unintended pregnancies.

On World Cancer Day, UNAIDS calls for greater investment in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer and underlines the additional benefits to be achieved for women and adolescent girls from a coordinated response to HIV and cervical cancer.

UNAIDS welcomes Filippo Grandi as the new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Mr Grandi took over as head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 1 January 2016, succeeding António Guterres, who left last week after more than 10 years in office.