Global leaders oppose policies as discriminatory and bad for business

GENEVA/NEW YORK, 28 November 2012—This World AIDS Day, Chief Executives (CEO’s) from some of the world’s largest companies are calling for an end to travel restrictions for people living with HIV. More than 40 CEOs have signed an unprecedented pledge urging the repeal of laws and policies in 45 countries that still deport, detain or deny entry to people solely because they are living with HIV.

The CEOs represent nearly 2 million employees in industries from banking to mining, travel to technology. They include companies like Johnson & Johnson, The Coca-Cola Company, Pfizer, Heineken, Merck, the National Basketball Association, Kenya Airways and Thomson Reuters.

“HIV travel restrictions are discriminatory and bad for business,” said Chip Bergh, President & CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. “Global business leaders are coming together to make sure we end these unreasonable restrictions.”

The CEO pledge is an initiative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Levi Strauss & Co. and GBCHealth, a coalition of companies that address global health challenges.

“Restrictions on entry, stay and residence for people living with HIV are discriminatory and a violation of human rights,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Every individual should have equal access to freedom of movement. I urge all countries to remove all such restrictions based on HIV status.”

CEOs oppose HIV travel restrictions because they are discriminatory and because to succeed in today’s globalized economy, companies must be able to send their employees and best talent overseas, regardless of their HIV status.

“It’s time to send HIV travel restrictions packing,” said Kenneth Cole, CEO of Kenneth Cole Productions. “Using our collective might, I believe we can use our influence to eliminate these discriminatory practices."

The United States of America lifted its 22-year HIV travel ban in 2010. Other countries, including Armenia, China, Fiji, Moldova, Namibia and Ukraine, have also recently removed such restrictions. However, 45 countries still deny entry, stay, residence or work visas for people living with HIV. These countries include major hubs for international business.

“Travel restrictions on individuals with HIV are unnecessary and hinder the ability for individuals and companies to operate in a truly global workforce,” said Mark Bertolini, Chairman, CEO & President of Aetna.

Most HIV-travel restrictions were imposed by governments in the 1980s when less was known about the transmission of HIV, and treatment didn’t exist. Since then, we’ve learned how to effectively prevent, manage and treat HIV.

Travel restrictions vary in different countries and can include preventing people living with HIV from entering altogether or deporting foreigners once their HIV status is discovered. Restrictions also include denying work visas, prohibiting short-terms stays for business trips or conferences and blocking longer-term stays or residence for work relocations and study abroad programs.

The CEO call to end HIV-related travel restrictions, first launched at the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C., comes on the eve of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s release of a blueprint that outlines the goals and objectives for the next phase of the United States’ effort to achieve an AIDS-Free Generation.    

“Eliminating HIV travel restrictions is a win-win,” said GBCHealth Managing Director and Co-President Michael Schreiber.  “It’s the right thing to do from a humanitarian perspective and the right thing to do from a business perspective.”

Participating CEOs:

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc;  Mark Bertolini, Chairman, CEO and President, Aetna; Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive, Anglo American plc; Vincent A. Forlenza,  Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, BD; Debra Lee, Chairman & CEO, BET Networks;  Andy Burness, President, Burness Communications; Lamberto Andreotti, CEO, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Muhtar Kent, Chairman of the Board and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company;  Richard Edelman, President & CEO, Edelman;  Mark R. Kramer, Founder and Managing Director,  FSG;  Glenn K. Murphy, Chairman and CEO, Gap Inc.; Jonathan D. Klein, CEO and Co-Founder, Getty Images;  John C. Martin, PhD, Chairman and CEO, Gilead Sciences, Inc.;  Karl-Johan Persson, CEO, H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB;  Dr. Chris Kirubi, Chairman, Haco Tiger Brands;  Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO, HEINEKEN NV;  Victor Y. Yuan, Chairman, Horizon Research and Consultancy Group;  Bong Yong Dam, CEO, Hub One International Company Ltd;  Jena Gardner, President & CEO, JG Black Book of Travel;  Alex Gorsky, Chief Executive Officer, Johnson & Johnson;  Kenneth Cole, CEO, Kenneth Cole Productions; Dr .Titus Naikuni, MD and CEO, Kenya Airways Ltd;  Chip Bergh, President & CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.;  Kaushik Shah, CEO/Director, Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd;  Kenneth C. Frazier, Chairman and CEO, Merck;  Heather Bresch, CEO, Mylan; David J. Stern, Commissioner, National Basketball Association (NBA); Blake Nordstrom, President, Nordstrom, Inc.;  Ji Yong, General Manager, Northeast Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd; Douglas A. Michels, President & CEO, OraSure Technologies, Inc.; Ian C. Read, Chairman and CEO, Pfizer Inc.; Tzameret Fuerst, CEO, Prepex;  Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom; Hiromasa Yonekura, Chairman, Sumitomo Chemical;  Liam E. McGee, Chairman, President and CEO, The Hartford;  James C. Smith, CEO, Thomson Reuters; Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO, Vestergaard Frandsen;  Philippe Dauman, President & CEO, Viacom; Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Unite;  Melissa Waggener Zorkin, CEO, President & Founder, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide;  Andy Payne, CEO, Wilderness Holdings Ltd;  David Sable, CEO, Y&R;  William H. Roedy, AIDS Activist and former Chairman, MTVN International

Most TB/HIV deaths can be averted if TB and HIV services work together more effectively and services are scaled up

GENEVA, 27 November 2012––Last week the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) reported that there has been a 13% reduction in tuberculosis (TB)-associated HIV deaths in the last two years. The reduction is due to a sharp increase in the numbers of people with HIV and TB co-infection accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART)––a 45% increase between 2009 and 2011.

Yet TB remains the leading cause of death among people living with HIV. UNAIDS and the Stop TB Partnership have signed a new agreement to accelerate action to achieve the 2015 goal of reducing deaths from TB among people living with HIV by 50%. 

“We are losing precious lives to TB––which is a preventable and curable disease, and it is in our power to change this. The world will never reach its goal of an AIDS-free generation without tackling TB. It is time to act now,” said Benedict Xaba, Minister of Health of Swaziland, which has the world’s highest rate of TB among people living with HIV.

People living with HIV are 20 to 30 times more likely to develop active TB than people without HIV infection.  An estimated 8.7 million people became ill with TB worldwide in 2011, among whom more than 1 million were living with HIV. Pregnant women and children are particularly at risk. If a pregnant woman living with HIV also has TB disease, the risk of death for the mother and child is higher and the risk of HIV transmission to the child more than doubles. In 2011, 430 000 out of 1.7 million AIDS-related deaths (25%) were caused by HIV-associated TB disease.

“TB/HIV is a deadly combination.  We can stop people from dying of HIV/TB co-infection through integration and simplification of HIV and TB services”, said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “The 2015 goals are clear­­­­—reduce TB deaths in people living with HIV by 50%––we can make this happen, but only if services are scaled up in countries through concerted and joint efforts.”

In 2011, at the United Nations High Level Meeting on AIDS, UN Member States set the target of halving TB/HIV deaths by 2015, which would lead to saving 600 000 lives. Three-quarters of TB/HIV deaths currently occur in just ten countries;  Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Intensifying efforts in these 10 countries would significantly accelerate progress in achieving the 2015 goal.

“TB is preventable and curable at low cost, yet we still have one in four AIDS-related deaths caused by TB, and this is outrageous. Countries have yet to fully implement the actions needed to address the co-epidemic,” said Dr Lucica Ditiu, Executive Secretary of the Stop TB Partnership. “Through a new agreement UNAIDS and the Stop TB Partnership have committed to a strong agenda of action, engaging new partners and assisting the most heavily affected countries as they integrate their HIV and TB services and build action plans.”

Preventing HIV/TB deaths

• In countries where HIV and TB are prevalent, testing for both should be provided to everyone.
• People living with HIV are far less likely to become ill with and die of TB if they begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) before their immune systems begin serious decline. All people who are eligible for ART should receive it as early as possible.
• In addition to earlier ART, people living with HIV should be protected against becoming ill with TB through a daily dose of the drug isoniazid.
• All people who test positive for HIV and are also found to have TB disease should start TB treatment immediately. After two weeks on TB treatment, they should begin ART, regardless of the status of their immune system.

New initiative launched to address HIV and sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict settings

GENEVA, 27 November 2012––The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is partnering with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) to shine a light on ending violence against women, and empowering them to remain free from HIV. 

UNAIDS will work together with UN Peacekeepers to distribute inflatable solar-powered lights to women and families, initially in five pilot countries affected by conflict, as a way of broaching the complex and sensitive issues of sexual and gender-based violence against women and HIV. This will be part of the outreach work DPKO and UN Peacekeepers conduct in communities as they secure peace around the world.

“The lights will act as a conversation starter for people to talk about the harmful link between sexual and gender-based violence against women and HIV,” said Luiz Loures, Director of Political and Public Affairs, UNAIDS. “The effects of conflict are especially acute for women and girls. In many settings, widespread sexual violence has been used as a tool of warfare, increasing gender inequalities and contributing to the spread of HIV. Ensuring that women are safe and free from violence is a step towards ensuring they stay free from HIV.”

Conditions of violence and instability in conflict and post-conflict situations can exacerbate the spread of HIV. UN Peacekeepers, because of their extensive contacts with local populations, act as agents of positive change, particularly with respect to preventing sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls and providing psycho-social services to mitigate the impact of violence.

The initiative is part of UNAIDS and DPKO’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1983, adopted in June 2011, which calls for increased efforts by UN Member States to address HIV in UN Peacekeeping missions. Resolution 1983 also calls for HIV prevention efforts among uniformed services to be aligned with efforts to end sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings.

UNAIDS is partnering with the creators of the inflatable solar-powered light, LuminAID, who will be donating up to 1000 lights through their “Give Light, Get Light” campaign. LuminAID will donate one light for every “Give Light, Get Light” package purchased during the coming months.        

The initiative is being launched to coincide with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, which started on 25 November—the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women—and concludes on 10 December 2012, Human Rights Day. The 16 Days campaign is widely used around the world to call for the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

Credit: UNAIDS

GENEVA/ YANGON, 20 November 2012—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed Nobel peace prize winner and Member of Parliament Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as a Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination. In this new role, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will call on her fellow citizens and people around the world to eliminate stigma and discrimination.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi accepted the invitation during a recent meeting with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé at her residence in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar’s capital city. She said: “It is a great honour to be chosen as a champion for people who live on the fringes of society and struggle every day to maintain their dignity and basic human rights. I would like to be the voice of the voiceless.”  

A strong supporter of the AIDS movement, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has publically engaged with people living with HIV as part of her efforts to counter stigma and discrimination. Earlier this year at a major international AIDS conference in Washington DC, USA, she delivered a message via video link, supporting people living with HIV.

“From small villages to big cities, from Africa to Asia, people are talking about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Mr Sidibé. “She is inspirational. We are honoured to have her as our UNAIDS Global Advocate for Zero Discrimination. I hope her example will inspire community leaders everywhere to speak out against stigma and discrimination.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is concerned that stigma and discrimination create an environment of fear that prevents people from accessing life-saving HIV services. “In Myanmar we are currently treating more than 40 000 people living with HIV. It is important that everyone who suspects they may be at risk seeks an HIV test and knows their HIV status early, so they can prevent new infections and can access life-saving treatment when needed.”

Washington, D.C., London, Geneva, 8 November 2012 – Private AIDS-related funding from United States and European philanthropic donors totaled US$ 644 million in 2011, a 5% increase (US$ 32 million) from 2010 according to an annual report from Funders Concerned About AIDS (FCAA) and the European HIV/AIDS Funders Group (EFG), with support from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

While this overall increase was driven by increased funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (which represented half of all U.S.-based AIDS philanthropy), and by the majority of E.U.-based funders, decreases by the majority of U.S.-based funders largely neutralized overall growth in AIDS-related philanthropy in 2011. Analysis also reveals that few new funders are entering the field of AIDS philanthropy.

“We applaud the efforts of those that have increased their commitment at this pivotal time in the AIDS response,” said John Barnes, Executive Director, FCAA. “But these increases also mask a troubling decline in the number of private funders engaged in AIDS.  If we’re serious about an AIDS-Free generation, we must absolutely increase financial and political commitment to AIDS.”

Funding from U.S.-based philanthropies totaled $491 million in 2011, with a slight increase from 2010 (3%). The majority of U.S.-based philanthropies, however, decreased funding to AIDS, including several of the top 10 funders that shifted investments toward other health areas. Total AIDS funding from all other U.S.-based philanthropies than the Gates Foundation decreased by 5% from 2010. Among E.U.-based philanthropies, the 2011 total reached $170 million, the highest point since 2007. While the majority of E.U.-based funders increased funding between 2010 and 2011, some of this was the result of yearly fluctuations in the grant distributions, rather than from the growth of new or existing programs.

Forecasts in both the U.S. and Europe suggest that AIDS funding would likely stay the same in 2012.

“We are in an era where shared responsibility for the AIDS response is vitally important. Countries are stepping up their domestic investments for HIV but there is still a US$7 billion gap between what is needed and what is available,” said Paul De Lay, Deputy Executive Director, Programme, UNAIDS. “Philanthropic investments for AIDS are extremely important, particularly in supporting civil society led engagement which can often be missing from larger-scale donor funding plans.”  

International assistance for AIDS from donor governments has been roughly flat since 2008, while the gap between available resources and what is needed to meet global targets for 2015 grew to an estimated US$ 7.2 billion. UNAIDS’ Investment Framework to guide more efficient use of resources shows that 4.2 million new HIV infections, 1.9 million HIV-related deaths could be averted, and 15 million people could access HIV treatment if funding is scaled up to US$ 24 billion by 2015.

UNAIDS, FCAA and EFG emphasize that philanthropy has a catalytic role to play in the AIDS response through its commitment to addressing critical issues and key populations - such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and sex workers - that are often not covered by other sources of funding.

“Private philanthropy has catalyzed the development of effective interventions and held governments accountable for scaling them up,” said Ton Coenen, Executive Director, Aids Fonds, and EFG Steering Committee member. “ As treatment and prevention technologies continue to evolve, it will be our sector’s role to ensure that community-based infrastructure is strengthened further and that the human rights of vulnerable populations are protected.”

The FCAA and EFG annual resource tracking report intends to inform stakeholders about the overall distribution and trends of U.S. and E.U. AIDS philanthropy. This year’s report also features more than 40 examples of innovative and impactful strategies from U.S. and E.U. AIDS funders.

Download U.S. and European Philanthropic Support to Address HIV/AIDS in 2011 at http://www.fcaaids.org/resourcetracking

UNAIDS urges rapid scale up of HIV programmes to meet 2015 global AIDS targets

GENEVA, 12 October 2012––The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) recognizes Equatorial Guinea’s efforts in financing its entire national AIDS response from domestic resources. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo stated that “Equatorial Guinea is financing its national programmes on school HIV/AIDS prevention, condom distribution and the financing of antiretrovirals for infected populations.” He made the statement at a special side event organized by the African Union at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York last month.

“Equatorial Guinea is an example of how country ownership and shared responsibility for the AIDS response can reduce AIDS dependency,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. “As a high-income country in Africa, it has taken responsibility for investing in the AIDS response from domestic sources. Now a concerted effort is needed to expand HIV programmes in the country to stop new HIV infections and ensure that everyone who is eligible for treatment has access.”

HIV prevalence is high in Equatorial Guinea. At the end of 2009, around 5% of the adult population were living with the virus, an estimated 20 000 people. According to its 2012 country progress report, more than 4500 people have access to antiretroviral therapy in Equatorial Guinea—48% of people eligible for treatment in 2011. The report also states that less than 19% of pregnant women living with HIV received antiretroviral therapy to stop HIV transmission to their children, compared to 57% who have access globally.

The United Nations Development Programme, at the request of the government, is supporting the procurement of antiretroviral medicines and HIV testing kits. The United Nations Country Team is providing technical support. UNAIDS will continue to support Equatorial Guinea in further accelerating its AIDS response and achieving the 2015 global AIDS targets.

New report highlights progress and gaps in the AIDS response and calls for increased investment from countries and donors

KINSHASA, DRC, 12 Oct 2012—Member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie (IOF) have made progress towards the goals of the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration on AIDS, according to a new report from UNAIDS entitled “Decision Point La Francophonie: No new HIV infections, no one denied treatment.” Results vary widely and—among IOF countries in sub-Saharan Africa—progress is lagging in key areas such as preventing new HIV infections among children and scaling up HIV treatment.

“The end of the global AIDS epidemic now appears to be attainable,” notes President Abdou Diouf, Secretary-General of La Francophonie. He adds: “This report reveals that the fruits of success are not equally distributed within the French-speaking world—an illustration of the fundamental inequalities that exist both within La Francophonie and in the wider world.”

A total of US $2.6 billion will be needed annually by 2015 to address the AIDS response in IOF countries of sub-Saharan Africa, according to the report, released on the eve of the 14^th Summit of the La Francophonie in Kinshasa. Based on current investment trends, the estimated AIDS funding gap for these countries will be US$ 1.5 billion. Filling this gap will require a significant boost in investment from both international donors and countries, the report finds.

“The international community must meet its commitments for francophone Africa, and high-income francophone countries must take the lead,” said Mr Sidibé. “At the same time, low- and middle-income francophone countries must also increase their share of investments based on economic strength and disease burden.”

Bridging the investment gap

According to the report, low- and middle-income IOF countries in sub-Saharan Africa have the capacity to scale up domestic AIDS resources by increasing health spending in line with economic growth and by reallocating HIV resources according to each country’s relative burden of disease.

Based on these assumptions, IOF countries in sub-Saharan Africa could boost annual domestic AIDS spending by at least US$ 120 million by 2015—a 70% increase over current funding levels. The report calls on international partners to fill the remaining investment gap of approximately US$ 1.4 billion—a 160% increase over current funding commitments.

HIV treatment

An estimated 826 000 people in low- and middle-income IOF countries were receiving HIV treatment in 2011, up from just 26 000 in 2003, according to the report. Increased access to HIV treatment in IOF countries resulted in a nearly 30% decline in AIDS-related deaths between 2004 and 2011.

Despite commendable progress, an estimated 970 000 people are still waiting to access life-saving HIV treatment in IOF countries—accounting for 14% of the global treatment gap. Moreover, there are wide disparities in treatment coverage: two IOF member states, Rwanda and Cambodia, have reached more than 80% coverage of antiretroviral therapy while some countries provide less than 5% coverage.

Taken as a whole, IOF countries in sub-Saharan Africa achieved 43% coverage of HIV treatment in 2011 compared to 59% coverage in non-IOF countries in the region. Among IOF countries in the region, just one in five pregnant women living with HIV has access to antiretroviral therapy for her own health and only 15% of children eligible for HIV treatment are receiving it.

Preventing new HIV infections among children

Programmes to prevent new HIV infections among children are gaining momentum across sub-Saharan Africa. Among IOF countries in the region, there was an estimated 34% decline in new HIV infections between 2005 and 2011—from 73 000 to 48 000.

Despite progress, an estimated 450 000 children are living with HIV in low- and middle-income IOF member states of sub-Saharan Africa; coverage of HIV medicines to prevent transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their children in these countries remains low, at 36%. This compares to 62% coverage among non-IOF countries in the region.

A roadmap to accelerate progress

Speaking at today’s press conference, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé urged francophone leaders across the globe to collectively push forward the AIDS response in IOF member states. “It is decision time for La Francophonie,” said Michel Sidibé. “While our actions so far are laudable, they will not take us to the finish line. We must redouble our efforts for the AIDS response and act decisively,” he added.

For the 29 francophone countries in Africa, the African Union’s Roadmap on Shared Responsibility and Global Solidarity has defined the steps needed in financing, health governance and access to medicines to help countries build long-term, sustainable solutions to HIV. The Roadmap—launched under the leadership of President Boni Yayi of Benin—was endorsed in July 2012 by African Heads of State and Government.

In 2011, an estimated 3.1 million people were living with HIV in low- and middle income IOF countries in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 10% of the global total. HIV prevalence varies widely among member countries in sub-Saharan Africa—from less than 0.3% to 5% of the adult population.

NEW YORK/GENEVA, 24 September 2012—On the eve of the 67^th United Nations General Assembly, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed global Indian icon Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as International Goodwill Ambassador. In her new role she will help raise awareness on issues related to stopping new HIV infections in children and advocate for increased access to antiretroviral treatment.

Mrs Rai Bachchan has been involved in humanitarian issues for many years and will now have a special focus on HIV. "I am honoured to accept this appointment. Spreading awareness on health issues, especially related to women and children, has always been a priority for me. And now, as a new mother, I can personally relate to this––the joys and concerns of every mother and the hopes that we have for our children. I strongly believe that every baby should be born free from HIV. And I wish that every woman living with HIV stays healthy and has access to treatment. I promise that with UNAIDS, I will do my utmost to make this happen."

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé welcomed Mrs Rai Bachchan to the UNAIDS family. “Mrs Rai Bachchan is respected and admired by millions of people around the world,” said Mr Sidibé. “I am convinced that through her global outreach, Mrs Rai Bachchan can help UNAIDS reach its goal of eliminating new HIV infections among children by 2015.”

The main focus of Mrs Rai Bachchan will be to advocate for the Global Plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive. This plan was launched at the United Nations in June 2011.

The Global Plan focuses on 22 countries including India, which account for more than 90% of all new HIV infections among children. Twenty one of them are in sub-Saharan Africa, where the estimated number of children newly infected with HIV fell by 25%, from 360 000 in 2009 to 270 000 in 2011. Progress in sub-Saharan Africa has been made possible through rapid improvement in access to services that prevent new infections in children. There was a dramatic increase in coverage of services in the 21 sub-Saharan African countries between 2009 and 2011: from 34% to 61%. HIV transmission rates from mother-to child have also declined since 2010 with the introduction of more effective prophylaxis regimens.

“Through her work in raising awareness of the issues and advocating for increased access to services Mrs Rai Bachchan will be instrumental in helping to ensure that no more babies are born with HIV and that their mothers stay alive and healthy,” said Mr Sidibé. “We look forward to working with her to reach our collective goals.”

At the Red Ribbon Award special session, the winners were congratulated by many eminent personalities including Mr. Sidibé, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott, Minister of Health and Social Affairs of France, Marisol Touraine and International Coordinator and CEO GNP+, Kevin Moody. Credit: UNAIDS/Chris Kleponis.

WASHINGTON, DC, 25 July 2012— Ten community-based organizations, which have shown exceptional and inspiring action on AIDS were honoured with the 2012 Red Ribbon Award in a special session of the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) on Wednesday. The Red Ribbon Award is the world's leading award for innovative and outstanding community work in the response to the AIDS epidemic.

The 2012 winning organizations are from Egypt, Haiti, India, Iran, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Russian Federation and Uganda. Over 1400 nominations from more than 120 countries were received by the Red Ribbon Award secretariat, which is hosted by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) in partnership with other UN organizations, AIDS 2012, the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS, STOP AIDS NOW!, the Global Network of Women Living with HIV/AIDS and the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations.  A technical review committee of civil society representatives selected the winners. Each of the winning organizations will receive a US$10,000 grant and international recognition for their innovation and leadership and have been invited to participate in AIDS 2012 in Washington D.C.

“The winners of the Red Ribbon Award 2012 have accomplished so much with so little. They work at the grassroots level in very challenging situations to ensure that vulnerable groups and people living with HIV get the information, services and opportunities they need,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. “Communities are where the response to AIDS started and it is their energy, innovation and leadership that have set us on the course to end of AIDS.”

At the Red Ribbon Award special session the winners were congratulated by many eminent personalities including Mr. Sidibé, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott, Minister of Health and Social Affairs of France, Marisol Touraine and International Coordinator and CEO GNP+, Kevin Moody.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit presented the award to the winners and said, “I am proud to give the awards to these outstanding organizations, whose actions in the communities they serve truly make a difference to people affected by HIV. The community response to HIV is at the heart of the AIDS response.”

Nobel laureate and General Secretary of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi delivered her remarks through a video. She stressed the importance of community-based organizations and said, “By strengthening the community we strengthen our chances of achieving democracy and of building up strong democratic institutions."

The UNAIDS Executive Director presents the Red Ribbon Award in the category 'Prevention among/by people who use drugs' to representatives of the Afraye Sabz Association, based in Iran's Kermanshah Province, which has increasing numbers of people living with HIV, specifically among young people who inject drugs. Credit: UNAIDS/C. Kleponis

The Red Ribbon Award was first presented in 2006 and since then has been handed out every two years at the International AIDS Conference.  This year there were five award categories and the ten winners are listed below by category:

1)     Prevention of sexual transmission

The Help, Myanmar focuses on prevention, care, support and advocacy for men who have sex with men (MSM) and works to ensure that the voices of MSM are heard and their issues taken up at the national level. All members of the HELP are MSM and almost half are living with HIV. More

SEROvie, Haiti, focuses on the health and rights of Haiti’s sexual minorities and became a vital source of aid, support and advocacy for sexual minorities following the January 2010 earthquake. SEROvie conducts HIV prevention, health referrals, and psychological and social support, as well as home-based care visits, vocational training and a micro-credit programme. More

2)     Prevention among/by people who use drugs

Afraye Sabz Association, Iran is in Kermanshah Province, which has increasing numbers of people living with HIV, specifically among young people who inject drugs. The association promotes HIV awareness, especially among youth, by providing educational and other complementary services, as well as support to PLHIV and their families.

Espolea, Mexico offers a space where young people feel free to think, create and perform and focuses on three central issues for young people: HIV, gender, and drug policy. The group works for a consolidated, comprehensive national agenda for young people, that encourages their participation locally, nationally and internationally.

3)     Treatment, care and support

The Kenya Hospices & Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA), Kenya represents all of the country’s palliative care service providers. Its mission is to scale up palliative care services and ensure those in need receive the services. Approximately 27% of Kenyan hospice patients receive palliative care for HIV and AIDS and KEHPCA has advocated extensively for the integration of palliative care into health services in Kenya. More

Positive Women’s Network (PWN+), Sri Lanka works to empower its PLHIV members and reduce the discrimination and stigma that women living with HIV face when accessing health services. The group also advocates for global and national policies and runs two drop in centres operated by PLHIV for PLHIV to provide safe, secure, confidential and stigma-free environments for counselling services, financial and emotional support. More

4)     Advocacy and human rights

Initiative Group ‘Patients in Control’, Russian Federation is a grassroots initiative started in 2010 that now involves about 50 leading activists from across Russia. It organizes street actions, press conferences and roundtable discussions focused on issues such as drug stock-outs and the absence of HIV treatment guidelines. The group has achieved significant results in terms of government action on these issues. 

Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+), India seeks to improve the treatment and facilities for PLHIV and provides a platform to help empower patients to make informed treatment decisions. Over the years the group’s work has expanded from a support group to service delivery and human rights advocacy. More

5)     Stopping new HIV infections in children and keeping mothers alive, women's health

Giramatsiko Post Test Club, Uganda, is an organization for and run by rural women living with HIV. The organization provides skills and knowledge for HIV prevention, care, support and treatment. It advocates for the rights of women living with HIV and their families and empowers women by increasing their livelihood skills. The organization has established 19 Post Test Clubs. More

Global Youth Coalition against AIDS (GYCA) Egypt is a group of young activists working to raise community awareness around health issues, specifically taboo topics such as sexual and reproductive health and rights, and advocating for a human rights-based approach to HIV/AIDS interventions that includes accurate information, condoms and needle exchange for young people. They have an initiative which works with women from low-income communities.

US Congress hosts bipartisan briefing “Together we will end AIDS” with Congressional leaders from both political parties and leaders to discuss ways to invest smartly in the AIDS response and explore opportunities ahead

US Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) speaks at the Congressional breakfast briefing at the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, 24 July. Credit: Office of Senator Leahy

WASHINGTON, DC/GENEVA, 24 July 2012—Senators Patrick Leahy and Lindsey Graham, Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, today hosted a briefing to find ways of maximizing new opportunities to respond to HIV. Moderated by Ms. Gwen Ifil of Washington Week & PBS NewsHour, the meeting brought together members of both the Republican and Democratic parties, as well as leading figures in the response to AIDS—who offered their contributions on how they can help make the response to HIV faster, smarter and better.

“With bipartisan support we are going to take the issue out of politics and strengthen families and communities,” said Senator Leahy.

Joining the Senators were the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Representatives Kay Granger and Nita Lowey.

“We have to be targeted, we have to be smart and we have to use these resources as effectively as possible,” said Representative Granger.

In 2011, the United States invested more than US$ 4.5 billion to the AIDS response in low- and middle-income countries. The global amount needed by 2015 is estimated to be between US$ 22-24 billion. If investments remain at current levels, the shortfall will be around US$ 7 billion.

"What America has done for itself has made it strong. What America has done for others has made it great,” said Sir Elton John, in his role as a philanthropist and humanitarian. “Your support for PEPFAR has saved millions and millions of lives. Please do not take your foot off the accelerator!"

Sir Elton and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé helped convene the meeting and welcomed His Excellency Mr Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe, Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, and several former African Heads of State to the briefing.

“In South Africa we have committed to getting to zero,” said Deputy President Motlanthe. “We have expanded services—we set ourselves a target of providing HIV counselling and testing to 12 million people. We have actually succeeded in testing 20 million people for HIV and other health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure so that they could be referred and given support.”

Many low- and middle-income countries are stepping up domestic investments to fill the investment gap. South Africa, which funds more than 80% of its AIDS response domestically, invested nearly US$ 2 billion in 2011.

Speaking on the role of faith based organizations and the private sector Dr. Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church, and Mr. John Megrue, President of the Business Leadership Council for a Generation Born HIV Free, offered increased support from the two pivotal sectors.

Florence Ngobeni-Allen, an Ambassador for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, thanked the American and South African governments, telling the more than 200 guests that she was a beneficiary of coordinated support, “I lived it. I walked it.” Ms Ngobeni learned of her HIV status 16 years ago after losing her child to the virus. Now, a mother of two HIV negative boys, she urged the group to continue its work. “Without your dedication and leadership, both here and in my home country of South Africa, the lifesaving services I’ve personally received, and that I have had the opportunity to share with other women like me, would be unavailable,” she said.

“As we have seen today, HIV is unique in the way that it evokes passion and mobilizes people around a common goal—ending the epidemic,” said Mr Sidibé. “We must build on this momentum and energy to drive it forward.”  

The briefing was held in Washington, DC where the 19th International AIDS Conference is taking place. It is being held in the United States for the first time in more than 20 years.