HIV experts and implementers from around the world join UNAIDS in South Africa to set targets and put precision prevention programming into practice

JOHANNESBURG/GENEVA, 10 October 2022—New HIV infections are rising in an alarming number of countries, regions and cities around the world. There were 1.5 million new HIV infections in 2021—1 million higher than the 2020 target of 500 000. To support countries in driving down new infections UNAIDS and partners have brought together HIV prevention experts and implementers from the 28 countries with the highest rates of new infections to establish why they are failing to decline at scale, to discuss solutions and to help countries set ambitious prevention targets.

The 28 countries which account for three quarters all new HIV infections around the world are part of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition. The coalition was established in 2017 to build commitment, momentum, investment and accountability across governments, civil society, donors and the private sector to implement large-scale, high-coverage, equitable and high-quality prevention programmes.

During the three-day meeting participants will define country needs relative to implementing the 2025 Prevention Roadmap, develop critical steps required to implement the Road Map, including country-specific milestones, and identify strategic shifts required to work as a coalition and strengthen cross-country collaboration.

The meeting comes at a critical time. UNAIDS recent report In Danger showed that new HIV infections dropped by only 3.6% between 2020 and 2021, the smallest annual decline since 2016. It showed that in 2021, an adolescent girl or young woman (between 15—24 years old) became infected with HIV every two minutes and that 250 000 adolescent girls and young women were newly infected with HIV—more than 80% of whom were in sub-Saharan Africa. In this region adolescent girls and young women are three times more likely to acquire HIV than their male counterparts. Multiple vulnerabilities—including harmful social norms and practices, and social, economic and gender inequalities—are blocking progress for adolescent girls and young women.

“The urgency of making prevention work cannot be overemphasized,” said Anne Githuku-Shongwe, UNAIDS Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. “The opportunity we have now is to scale up what works while investing our attention on the stubborn social and structural barriers that keep girls and key populations vulnerable to new HIV infections.”

In 2021, UNAIDS estimated that key populations including gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, sex workers, transgender people, and people in prisons and other closed settings and their sexual partners accounted for 70% of new HIV infections worldwide showing that HIV prevention efforts must be concentrated among the marginalized and most vulnerable.

“Implementing this road map cannot be business as usual,” said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director a.i. Programme. “We need to be honest—we need more political leadership, more investment and a greater commitment to reach key populations to drive down new HIV infections.”

When countries scale up combination HIV prevention programmes striking successes can be achieved. For example, Côte d’Ivoire’s early expansion of key population programmes and an increase in treatment coverage contributed to a 72% decline in new HIV infections between 2010–2020. In South Africa, new HIV infections decreased by 45% in that same period as the country expanded HIV treatment and voluntary medical male circumcision, while Kenya used the same approach to reduce HIV incidence by 44%.

In other regions, several countries have achieved steep reductions in new HIV infections by focusing their combination prevention programmes on the needs of key populations. In Cambodia, Thailand and Viet Nam, new HIV infections declined by more than 60% between 2010–2020. They also fell by around half in El Salvador, Republic of Moldova and Sri Lanka showing that progress is possible.

Dr Thembisile Xulu, National AIDS Commission Director for South Africa said, “This is a great opportunity for us to strategize and strengthen our relationships among countries, share experiences and rely on each other’s strengths to reduce the rate of new infections—the hard work starts now.”

Countries have committed to a new target of reducing new HIV infections to 370 000 by 2025, a target which is achievable, but only if efforts are stepped up to reach people being left behind. The HIV Prevention Roadmap has been designed to help countries reach their targets. It includes a 10-point plan and country specific milestones to get countries on track. The new HIV prevention targets include prioritized comprehensive packages of HIV prevention services and ensuring they are available and used by 95% of people at risk of HIV infection.

The meeting in South Africa was convened by the Global Prevention Coalition in collaboration with UNAIDS, UNFPA, the National AIDS Commission Forum and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

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, 5 October 2022 — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has today announced the appointment of UNAIDS two Deputy Executive Directors.

Angeli Achrekar, who is currently Principal Deputy U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, PEPFAR, will be UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director for the Programme Branch. Christine Stegling, who is currently Executive Director of Frontline AIDS, will be UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director for the Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge Branch.

Each of them will also be an Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said:

"I am delighted to welcome to UNAIDS two exceptional leaders in the global HIV response. Angeli Achrekar and Christine Stegling are exemplars in building strong partnerships which connect communities, governments and the United Nations and achieve transformational impact. Their work has saved and changed lives and helped advance the dignity and rights of all. They are joining a UNAIDS that has been reshaped to be ready in this challenging global moment to ensure that no one is left behind. Through courageous leadership to end the inequalities which perpetuate the AIDS pandemic, the world can end AIDS. With the help of Angeli and Christine, UNAIDS will galvanise that leadership."

Angeli Achrekar said:

"I am honored to join UNAIDS and to lead the Programme Branch. I am inspired by how UNAIDS has united the world through its strategy in a shared commitment to end the inequalities which drive the AIDS pandemic. UNAIDS grounding in communities, data, programmatic insight, convening strength and bold advocacy have been central to the progress that has been made in the AIDS response, and are needed now more than ever. Together, in partnership with communities, NGOs, private sector, governments and multilateral organizations, we can and will end AIDS."

Christine Stegling said:

"I am thrilled to join UNAIDS and to lead the new Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge Branch. UNAIDS has helped advance vital progress in laws, policies, and investments needed to unlock the barriers to prevention, testing and treatment. By ensuring that science is shared, that the human rights of all are protected, that inequalities are tackled, and that communities are supported to lead, we can enable the world to meet the international pledge to end AIDS."

The UN Secretary-General's announcement will be made available at https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/personnel-appointments.

UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026, "End Inequalities. End AIDS." is available at Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026.

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, 28 September 2022—During the high-level week of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly leading African Ministers of Health joined UNAIDS, PEPFAR, global health institutions and partners in New York in rallying to sustain their commitments to end AIDS and accelerate their response to current and future pandemics. The high-level side event on “Political Leadership in the HIV Response”, highlighted continued progress on combating HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, which has been largely sustained despite the added challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong, United States Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Health Diplomacy, who was celebrating his 100th day in office said, “The HIV response has defined global health for 25 years. We have made remarkable progress, but we still have remarkable challenges going forward to end AIDS. It is time to ask where we go from here. PEPFAR, the Global Fund and UNAIDS represent the best of humanity when we apply our minds to solving problems.”  

Ambassador Nkengasong also took the opportunity to launch “Reimagining PEPFAR's Strategic Direction, Fulfilling America’s Promise to End the HIV/AIDS Pandemic by 2030”, which focuses on key priority areas including: health equity for priority populations including children, adolescent girls and young women, and key populations; long term sustainability; positioning platforms to not civil society front and centre; and leading with science.  

“Our work continues with renewed urgency to accelerate our push to end AIDS by 2030,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “The actions needed to end AIDS are also key for overcoming other pandemics and for protecting ourselves against future threats. We can end AIDS by 2030. But the curve will not bend itself—we have to pull it down together.”    

African governments were represented by Ministers of Health from Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Malawi, Rwanda and South Africa, and the Director of Public Health from Nigeria, speaking on behalf of H.E. President Buhari, and were joined by H.E. Neo Jane Masisi, the First Lady of Botswana. 

The Minister of Health of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Jean-Jacques Mbungani, said, “Despite our many challenges, the Government made the fight against HIV a national priority. In one year, we increased our domestic funding for HIV from CDF10 billion to CDF15 billion, and from 2002 to 2020, we decreased AIDS-related mortality by 42%.” 

The Minister of Health of Côte d’Ivoire, Mr Pierre Dimba highlighted the importance of integrating lessons from COVID-19 in the HIV response. “The COVID-19 pandemic showed how important it is to invest in health and enhance our focus on HIV,” said Minister Dimba. “We have reinforced our health systems and are reinforcing our network of community health workers to reach people most in need as well as working closely with the education sector.” 

Rwanda has been investing in institutional reforms in the health sector and continues to increase its own domestic health funding. “For an effective management of domestic resources we created the Rwanda biomedical center which has a multifaceted approach,” said Daniel Ngamije, Minister of Health of Rwanda. “Rather than having individual programs for HIV, TB and malaria, we have created and financed a sustainable, integrated system.”  

Senator Lizzie Nkosi, Minister of Health of Eswatini, expressed appreciation of the partnership with donors and technical partners as key to the country’s success in the HIV response.  

Minister Nkosi used the event to announce impressive new results in Eswatini’s efforts to end AIDS. “Today I announce that Eswatini has reached the epidemic control and the 95-95-95 targets,” said Minister Nkosi. “We have committed significant resources for HIV, which we will continue, in spite of COVID-19 and other pandemics. However, we couldn’t have reached this success without PEPFAR, UNAIDS and the Global Fund and so many other partners.” 

The Minister of Health of Botswana highlighted the remarkable results Botswana has achieved and recognized the strong continued support of partners in Botswana’s progress to end AIDS. “Partners have contributed a lot to our achievements. In the early days our population was about to be wiped out by HIV, but last year we celebrated surpassing the 95-95-95 targets – that would not have been possible without sustained political leadership at the highest levels and the long-term partnerships we have,” said Minister Dikoloti.  

From South Africa, the country with the world’s largest HIV epidemic, Minister of Health Joe Phaahla called for accelerated momentum to end AIDS, and the urgency of halting HIV incidence, particularly in young people in South Africa. “We have reduced the incidence of HIV by over 45%, we now have 5.2 million people on HIV treatment, and we launched our HIV strategy with a focus on young people,” said Minister Phaahla. “Going forward, our focus will be on integrating programs—lessons which we have learned through COVID and HIV. When you’re under pressure to save lives, our key is integration—political leadership to mobilize leaders in all sectors, health workers and community health workers–bringing them onboard, and to maintain the momentum.”  

Reading a statement from H.E President Buhari of Nigeria, Dr Morenike Alex-Okah, Director of Public Health for Nigeria highlighted the call to end paediatric AIDS, “I reiterate the Government of Nigeria’s full commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and other international and regional initiatives towards ending AIDS by 2030, and to addressing current and future health emergencies. As a demonstration of commitment, my government will convene African leaders and our international partners in Abuja in November 2022 to launch the Global Alliance to end paediatric AIDS by 2025.” 

Loyce Maturu from the Global Fund Advocates Network in Zimbabwe spoke about gaps in the HIV response. “We know that we haven’t done enough in the management of HIV in children, and to prevent HIV among adolescent girls and young women. We have to look at psychosocial support, mental health, and viral load monitoring, which have been missing when it comes to community engagement. We need to focus on HIV management at the community level, empower community-led monitoring, support families and strengthen community systems.”  

Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria expressed his appreciation for the support to the Global Fund at its 7th Replenishment which mobilized US$ 14.2 billion, “This is a great opportunity to say thank you to everyone who pledged contributions to the Global Fund, and particularly the implementing countries which have stepped up enormously,” said Mr Sands. “One of the great strengths of the HIV response was its relentless focus on outcomes, saving lives and reducing infections. One of the things we learned with COVID is that we have got to get smart at making investments that can serve multiple needs at once. A broader approach for health systems that can fight multiple diseases and cope with future threats.”  

Dr Matshidiso Moeti, the World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Africa, highlighted the need for governments to pick up the pace to end AIDS in Africa. “This is a fantastic convening of leaders who will play a key role in ending AIDS in Africa,” said Dr Moeti. “With HIV, we have learned many lessons. Inequities continue to be a major factor in driving vulnerability to HIV and access to services. We can make the resources go further and achieve more results for HIV.”  

Stéphanie Seydoux, France's Ambassador for Global Health concluded, “The time for implementation starts now. We know the way forward and that is country ownership, country investment.”  

The event, “Political Leadership in the HIV Response”, was co-organized by UNAIDS and PEPFAR on the margins of high-level week of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The video of the event is available at: UNAIDS/PEPFAR High-Level Side Event.  

PEPFAR 

PEPFAR is the largest commitment by any nation to address a single disease in history. Managed and overseen by the U.S. Department of State, and supported through the compassion and generosity of the American people, PEPFAR has saved 20 million lives, prevented millions of infections, and helped transform the global AIDS response. The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief - United States Department of State  

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.

High-income countries, private sector partners and developing countries, many with high HIV burdens, have all stepped up to fund the Global Fund  

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 21 September 2022—UNAIDS congratulates donors for increasing their contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund). Donors pledged US$ 14.25 billion to support efforts to end the three pandemics with more funding set to come. Donors made their pledges at the Global Fund’s Seventh Replenishment Conference hosted by the President of the United States Joe Biden.  

“Leaders from around the world who have committed resources today are life savers. They have made an investment in the future of children, young people and those facing the disproportionate burden of global inequalities—especially young women and girls. They are helping to build resilient health systems and be better prepared to face emerging threats to global security,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.  

Countries rose to the challenge of increasing funding by 30%, demonstrating their confidence in the strong leadership of the Global Fund and its partners. The United States continued its position as a leader in global health by pledging US$ 6 billion, committing to invest US$1 billion for every US$ 2 billion pledged by the rest of the world. Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain and South Africa all increased their funding by 30%. A notable contribution came from the Republic of Korea which increased its contribution by 300% to US$ 100 million.  

Developing countries, many tackling large HIV epidemics also stepped up in support of the Global Fund. Burkina Faso increased its contribution by 100%, Uganda and Togo increased by 50%, Kenya by 40% and Cote d’Ivoire by more than 30%. The Central African Republic, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zimbabwe all made contributions to the Global Fund despite facing huge fiscal challenges, exacerbated by current global crises.  

“I am truly humbled to see so many developing countries, that are themselves facing multiple crises, and yet still made increased pledges to the Global Fund. I commend them,” said Ms Byanyima. 

France, the European Commission and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation all made important contributions to the Global Fund while Canada made an additional pledge of CAD 100 million for pandemic preparedness and called for increased financial contributions to UNAIDS and other partners working to end AIDS, TB and malaria. 

Two major donors are still to pledge, the UK and Italy, both of whom reiterated their support to the Global Fund and indicated they will be pledging in the coming weeks. UNAIDS urges them to match the 30% increase of their peers to get closer to the Global Fund US$ 18 billion target.  

This replenishment has mobilized the biggest global commitment to the Global Fund to date, in a context where challenging currency fluctuations made significantly increased contributions from European donors less visible when counting pledges in US dollars.  

UNAIDS congratulates Donald Kaberuka, Chair of the Global Fund Board and Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. This achievement is a strong endorsement of their leadership of the Global Fund by member states and private donors, and of our collective efforts to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.  

The HIV pandemic remains a global crisis claiming a life every minute but ending AIDS by 2030 is possible if countries continue to be bold in their financial contributions and work together to tackle inequalities. The actions needed to end AIDS will help protect the health and rights of everyone, strengthen economic development, and leave the world better prepared for future pandemic risks. 

UNAIDS will continue to work closely with the Global Fund in a joint effort to end AIDS. Since the creation of the Global Fund in 2002, UNAIDS has supported more than 100 countries in leveraging and implementing Global Fund resources—ensuring the funds are available and reach people most in need. 

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, 23 September 2022— Only half (52%) of the 1.7 million children living with HIV around the world had access to life-saving treatment in 2021, compared to 76% of adults. A recent report by UNAIDS, In Danger showed that every six minutes a child under the age of 15 died of AIDS last year. Too often, children’s voices are not being heard and their needs are not being met. As a result, the gap in progress between adults and children is widening.  

Determined that reaching children affected by HIV be made a top global priority, faith communities and health leaders came together at a high-profile event held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York to mobilize action and find effective ways forward. The event highlighted innovative models developed with faith-based organisations that have substantially improved outcomes for children, showing that more can be done. 

“We need people of faith working together with the same meaning, the same purpose and with connectedness,” said Father Richard Bauer. “We have to treat the whole person—the biomedical and the psychosocial aspects.”   

Loyce Maturu was 10 years old when she lost her mother and her brother to AIDS. When she was 12, she became ill and was taken to the clinic. She wasn’t told that she was living with HIV, and was instead just given pills to take. It was only after she stopped taking her medicine properly because she felt well that she was finally informed that she was living with HIV. She has grown up to be a champion for better care for children affected by HIV. 

“We need more than medicines if children are to take their treatment, survive and thrive,” said Ms Maturu, addressing the leaders at the event. “We need better health and psychosocial support to help us understand our condition and treatment, to learn how to grow with HIV to feel confident, valued and loved and to be able to achieve our hopes and dreams.” 

“Collectively we have been failing children and the point of coming together is to turn that around,” said Chip Lyons, President and CEO of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. “Leaders who speak about children have great power. Never miss an opportunity to speak about children.” 

Faith-based organizations have provided a significant proportion of HIV-related health care since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, particularly in resource limited settings. They have strong links with communities and are vital partners in work to shift opinions, reduce stigma, provide data-led evidence and reach the most marginalized in society who are often the most in need of lifesaving health services.  

“Communities of faith are the megaphone of trust in the community,” said Ambassador John Nkengasong, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Health Diplomacy. “Because of this trust we can see increased uptake of pediatric treatment by more than 20% in rural settings – we rely on you and the trust people have in you. We are committed to work with all of you to address the gaps and barriers that are creating the very alarming numbers we are seeing in children.”    

Over 70% of the 1.7 million children living with HIV are in just 10 African countries. That makes ending HIV in children an achievable goal. If those ten countries act, almost three-quarters of the challenge could be overcome. 

Stigma, discrimination, punitive laws and policies, violence and entrenched societal and gender inequalities are hindering access to care for women, adolescents and children. Faith communities can be extremely effective at breaking down stigma and calling for changes in laws and policies to ensure all people, including children, are safe and protected as they access HIV services. 

“It is your caring and compassion that changes lives and mindsets. In every community, in every country, you are trusted. Respected. Listened to in ways others are not. Your ability to influence how people understand and react to HIV is unparalleled. You are crucial – central – to this work,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.  

One of the biggest challenges is rapidly finding children living with HIV who were not diagnosed at birth or during breastfeeding and linking them to treatment. For younger children, too, it is concerning that only 63% of HIV-exposed infants in 2021 were tested by two months of age. Without treatment, 50% of infants with HIV will die by two years of age.  

New ambitious targets for diagnosing children and linking them to care have been set for 2023 and 2025, and a new Global Alliance to End AIDS Among Children has just been launched, which aims to end AIDS in children by 2030.  

In all of these efforts, faith communities play an invaluable role in helping governments, international organizations, communities of people living with HIV, service providers and many others to achieve the new targets and end AIDS by 2030. This includes especially those who face the greatest challenges in advocating for their needs —children.  

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, 19 September 2022—At the Transforming Education Summit in New York it was announced that 12 African countries* have committed to Education Plus, a bold initiative to prevent HIV infections through free universal, quality secondary education for all girls and boys in Africa, reinforced through comprehensive empowerment programmes. 

Speaking on the Leaders Day of the Summit on behalf of the Education Plus movement, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima said, “School saves lives. We are coming together to champion the right for a girl to be in a classroom and in a safe classroom. Keeping girls in school helps ensure their rights and prevents HIV. We know that if a girl completes secondary education, the risk of infection reduces by 50%. That's why we've teamed up with UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women, with governments and with civil society, to champion the education and empowerment of adolescent girls in Africa to stop new HIV infections.” 

Through Education Plus, champion countries across Africa are bringing sectors together to fight inequalities by ensuring access to and completion of secondary school, protecting girls and young women from HIV infection, sexual violence, teenage pregnancies and early marriages, and creating opportunities for access to education, health, and jobs. 

Sierra Leone, an Education Plus champion, has been reforming its education system since 2018, enrolling an additional one million learners in four years. Speaking at the Summit President Julius Madda Bio said, “We have adopted a radical inclusion policy and have achieved gender parity in school enrollment. Girls can now be educated from primary through to university free of tuition fees, and pregnant girls can once again go to school. Education is not a luxury, it is a right. We must rally the international community behind the global initiatives being launched.”  

International partners shared their backing for the initiative. Franz Fayot, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Luxembourg said, “The risks of acquiring HIV and the challenges in accessing services in sub-Saharan Africa are very real and are compounded by stigma and discrimination, as well as legal and financial barriers. Financing to support education systems to deliver gender-transformative education is urgent. It will save lives and have a hugely positive impact on economies.” 

Joyce Ouma, a young leader from the Education Plus hub, shared why young women’s movements are backing the initiative: “Some of us are still denied sexual and reproductive health information and services and sexuality education because of our age and this has a devasting impact on our lives. As young women living with HIV, we face discrimination, stigma and violence perpetrated within school environments and cannot easily seek essential medical care. Transforming education means we face these gloomy statistics head on. I urge leaders to listen and act on our collective concerns for better systems.” 

UNAIDS latest report, In Danger, released in July this year showed that in sub-Saharan Africa 4 900 young women and girls (15-24 years old) acquired HIV every week in 2021. Once a person contracts HIV they require life-long treatment. In 2021 in sub-Saharan Africa, 22 000 adolescent girls and young women died of AIDS-related illnesses.  

Fostering investments in access to health, education and jobs gives results. Girls—and their communities and countries—reap multiple social and economic benefits from their completion of secondary school. An extra year of secondary school can increase women’s wages by 15-25%. Educating adolescent girls and young women in Africa could add US$ 316 billion or 10% to GDP in the period to 2025 if each country makes advances in gender parity in schooling. 

The United Nations Secretary-General recognized girls’ education and empowerment as crucial for development, "Girls’ education is among the most important steps to deliver peace, security, and sustainable development everywhere," said Antonio Guterres. 

*The 12 African Education Plus champion countries are Benin, Cameroon, Eswatini, Gabon, Gambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Senegal, Sierra-Leone, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia. 

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.

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.

As AIDS2022 in Montreal comes to a close, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said:

"Thanks to the dedication of thousands of scientists around the world, the determined organizing of civil society groups, and the support of key policy makers, the issues lifted up at AIDS2022 could enable a turning point in the global AIDS response. The new UNAIDS report released at the conference, In Danger, shows how the AIDS response has been blown off course, making action urgent.

The research presented at this conference provides new data, important scientific progress, and further evidence on the biomedical, social, and policy interventions needed to stop the AIDS pandemic. The insights and data shared by community organizations showed concretely how we can stop AIDS from snatching a life every minute and ways to tackle the inequalities driving the AIDS pandemic.

We are deeply saddened by how many researchers, officials, and people living with HIV from Africa, Asia, and Latin America were unable to come to the conference in Canada because they were unable to secure a visa. The host country of the next global AIDS conference, two years from now, must be one that guarantees that this will not be repeated and that those most affected by HIV can be fully at this important table.

Important steps forward were taken in Montreal.

This was a breakthrough conference for new long-acting ARVs to stop HIV. New research showed that injectable PrEP is among the most effective tools for preventing HIV available and that it works well in multiple populations. The World Health Organization released new guidelines and drugmaker ViiV has announced licenses for generic manufacturing of the drug in 90 countries. This could be a game changer if ViiV can provide an affordable price for low- and middle-income countries now, in the tens of dollars not hundreds of dollars, since it will be several years before generic production comes online and if generics are made available beyond these original 90 countries. 

The commitments made by African leaders and by international partners who have come together in the new global alliance to end AIDS in children could, if followed through, ensure that every child living with HIV is on antiretroviral medicine, and that no more children are infected with HIV. 

We thank the ministers and other political leaders who took part in the Conference, appreciate PEPFAR and Global Fund for the commitment demonstrated here, and call upon the many leaders who did not attend to take seriously the findings of this conference.

In particular, we call upon governments to urgently increase funding for the Global Fund and for the UN Joint Programme to enable the findings of this conference to turn into reality on the ground. As UNAIDS new report, In Danger, highlighted, courageous political leadership is essential to end AIDS and save millions of lives.”

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.

Globally, only half (52%) of children living with HIV are on life-saving treatment. UNAIDS, UNICEF, and WHO have brought together a new alliance to fix one of the most glaring disparities in the AIDS response.

MONTREAL/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 1 August 2022 – Globally, only half (52%) of children living with HIV are on life-saving treatment, far behind adults where three quarters (76%) are receiving antiretrovirals, according to the data that has just been released in the UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2022. Concerned by the stalling of progress for children, and the widening gap between children and adults, UNAIDS, UNICEF, WHO and partners have brought together a global alliance to ensure that no child living with HIV is denied treatment by the end of the decade and to prevent new infant HIV infections.

The new Global Alliance for Ending AIDS in Children by 2030 was announced by leading figures at the International AIDS Conference taking place in Montreal, Canada.

In addition to the United Nations agencies, the alliance includes civil society movements, including the Global Network of People living with HIV, national governments in the most affected countries, and international partners, including PEPFAR and the Global Fund. Twelve countries have joined the alliance in the first phase: Angola, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Consultations by the alliance have identified four pillars for collective action:

1. Closing the treatment gap for pregnant and breastfeeding adolescent girls and women living with HIV and optimizing continuity of treatment;
2. Preventing and detecting new HIV infections among pregnant and breastfeeding adolescent girls and women;
3. Accessible testing, optimized treatment, and comprehensive care for infants, children, and adolescents exposed to and living with HIV;
4. Addressing rights, gender equality, and the social and structural barriers that hinder access to services. 

Addressing the International AIDS Conference, Limpho Nteko from Lesotho shared how she had discovered she was HIV positive at age 21 while pregnant with her first child. This led her on a journey where she now works for the pioneering women-led mothers2mothers programme. Enabling community leadership, she highlighted, is key to an effective response.

“We must all sprint together to end AIDS in children by 2030,” said Ms. Nteko. “To succeed, we need a healthy, informed generation of young people who feel free to talk about HIV, and to get the services and support they need to protect themselves and their children from HIV. mothers2mothers has achieved virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV for our enrolled clients for eight consecutive years—showing what is possible when we let women and communities create solutions tailored to their realities.” 

The alliance will run for the next eight years until 2030, aiming to fix one of the most glaring disparities in the AIDS response. Alliance members are united in the assessment that the challenge is surmountable through partnership.

“The wide gap in treatment coverage between children and adults is an outrage,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. “Through this alliance, we will channel that outrage into action. By bringing together new improved medicines, new political commitment, and the determined activism of communities, we can be the generation who end AIDS in children. We can win this – but we can only win together.”

"Despite progress to reduce vertical transmission, increase testing and treatment, and expand access to information, children around the world are still far less likely than adults to have access to HIV prevention, care, and treatment services," said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. "The launch of the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children is an important step forward – and UNICEF is committed to working alongside all of our partners to achieve an AIDS-free future."

“No child should be born with or grow up with HIV, and no child with HIV should go without treatment,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Gheberyesus, WHO Director-General. “The fact that only half of children with HIV receive antiretrovirals is a scandal, and a stain on our collective conscience. The Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children is an opportunity to renew our commitment to children and their families to unite, to speak and to act with purpose and in solidarity with all mothers, children and adolescents.”

Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health of Nigeria, pledged to “change the lives of children left behind” by putting in place the systems needed to ensure that health services meet the needs of children living with HIV.

Nigeria, Dr Ehanire announced, will host the alliance’s political launch in Africa at a Ministerial meeting in October 2022.

About 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.

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. Follow UNICEF on Twitter and Facebook.

About WHO

Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance at a safe and healthy life. We are the UN agency for health that connects nations, partners and people on the front lines in 150+ locations – leading the world’s response to health emergencies, preventing disease, addressing the root causes of health issues, and expanding access to medicines and health care. Our mission is to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Learn more at www.who.int and follow WHO on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, and Twitch.

MONTREAL, CANADA 29 July 2022—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) welcomes the latest data released by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which demonstrate the life-saving impact of PEPFAR funding and programmes on countries and communities. UNAIDS also applauds the continued, strong bipartisan leadership of the United States in the global response to HIV.

“PEPFAR’s latest impressive results show the outstanding impact and unique contributions of the United States to meeting the 2025 global HIV targets,” said Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director. "At a moment when some other bilateral donors retreated from their global commitments, the United States Administration and Congress continued to give strong, and critical support to PEPFAR, enabling countries to transition from epidemic control towards ending their AIDS epidemics,” said Ms Byanyima. “Together we are rallying other donors to follow the United States’s example.”

PEPFAR announced the new data on the opening day of the 24^th International AIDS Conference, presenting the life-saving impact of PEPFAR investments and programmatic support to partner countries.

Ambassador John Nkengasong, United States Global AIDS Coordinator and Special Representative for Health Diplomacy said, “Comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment programmes have always been a priority for PEPFAR. Through the reduction of incidence and prevalence of HIV among adolescent girls and young women, women of childbearing age, and adult men, an additional 3.5 million babies were born HIV free between 2004 to 2021 and a total of 5.5 million babies have been born HIV-free as a result of PEPFAR and its partners.”

PEPFAR’s statement can be read at https://www.state.gov/pepfar-shows-impact-with-5-5-million-babies-born-hiv-free-due-to-comprehensive-program-efforts/

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.