UNSG Special Envoy on AIDS in Asia, Dr Nafis Sadik with Vice President H.E. Dr Sai Mauk Kham.
Credit: UNAIDS

A high-level United Nations delegation led by Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on AIDS in Asia, Dr Nafis Sadik visited Myanmar to take stock of the progress made and challenges remaining in the AIDS response.

During the visit, representatives from across the political spectrum in Myanmar underlined their commitment to speed up and enhance the country’s response to HIV to ensure that HIV services reach the communities most affected by the epidemic.

Vice President H.E. Dr Sai Mauk Kham, in conversations with Dr Sadik and her delegation, emphasized the need for an inclusive response to AIDS. “To deal with this epidemic, one of the top health challenges in Myanmar, the government, UN, non-governmental organizations and civil society need to work together,” said Vice President Kham.

Representatives from the networks of people living with HIV stressed their willingness to work in close collaboration with government and other partners to ensure effective results. They also highlighted the need to involve people living with HIV during the planning, design and implementation of AIDS programmes. “People living with and affected by HIV know better than anyone else what works and how to get the best impact,” said Myo Thant Aung, Chair of the national network for people living with HIV, Myanmar Positive Group.

The reduced funding available for HIV treatment and prevention was of major concern for Nobel laureate and General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi. During a meeting with Dr Sadik, Ms Suu Kyi stressed the importance of a sustained, well-managed response to AIDS in the country. “All the work needs to be closely monitored to assure accountability” said Ms Suu Kyi. She also highlighted the “importance of openness and compassion in government and the community” in the provision of HIV prevention and care programmes.

Dr Sadik called for a rapid increase in resources to ensure the sustainability of AIDS programmes in Myanmar. “Investment on AIDS in Myanmar from international and domestic sources needs to increase dramatically to assist people living with HIV and to prevent more people from becoming infected,” said Dr Sadik.

“In addition, laws, policies and practices that block access to HIV services for people living with and most affected by HIV need to be revised and removed. Only this will enable the provision of effective and sustainable HIV prevention and treatment services,” she added. The official visit to Myanmar was Dr Sadik’s last country missions as Special Envoy before the end of her tenure in July 2012.

In 2011, there were an estimated 216 000 people living with HIV in Myanmar and more than 40 000 adults and children received antiretroviral treatment of an estimated 120 000 people in need. According to the 2011 HIV Sentinel Surveillance data, HIV prevalence was 9.4%, among female sex workers, 21.9%, among people who inject drugs, 7.8% among men who have sex with men and 0.9% among pregnant women attending antenatal care services.

UNSG Special Envoy on AIDS in Asia, Dr Nafis Sadik with Nobel laureate and leader of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi.
Credit: T.M. Aung

The United Nations delegation noted the significant progress made in the national AIDS response where despite limited resources, HIV prevalence among key populations at higher risk has begun to decline and the number of people receiving antiretroviral treatment has grown substantially. However, the delegation also highlighted that two thirds of people living with HIV do not yet have access to life saving treatment and that available financial resources for AIDS in the country are expected this year to fall below levels of 2011.

“Additional resources are needed to build upon the progress made to date,” said the member of the delegation and UNAIDS Director of the Asia Pacific Regional Support Team Steven Kraus. “The necessary scale-up of HIV services will not be possible without this accelerated response.”

During the seven-day country visit, Dr Sadik and the delegation also met with the Union Minister of Health, Union Minister for Labour and for Social Welfare, Attorney-General and chairpersons of parliamentary committees.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé (left) met with the President of the Algerian Senate, Abdelkader Bensalah, at the Council of the Nation headquarters in Algiers on 2 April.

Algeria’s early and swift response to the HIV epidemic has kept national HIV prevalence low, at approximately 0.1% of the population. Since 1998, the government has offered free antiretroviral treatment to all people who are eligible. New HIV infections among children in Algeria have been virtually eliminated.

In a meeting on 2 April with the President of the Algerian Senate, Abdelkader Bensalah, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended Algeria as a champion in the AIDS response—both at home and across the region.

During his meeting with Mr Bensalah at the Conseil de la Nation headquarters in Algiers, Mr Sidibé acknowledged the critical role that Algeria has played in mobilizing high-level commitment for the AIDS response within the African Union and in the League of Arab States. He noted that Algeria’s Chairmanship of the Group of 77 (G-77) provides an important platform for galvanizing further support for the regional response to HIV.

Touching on a theme from his recent missions in Africa, Mr Sidibé praised Algerian leaders for funding more than 93% of national HIV programmes through domestic sources. “Across Africa, too many countries remain too dependent on external HIV aid. Algeria’s country-owned HIV response is an example for others to follow,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Mr Bensalah underscored that the Algerian government hopes to finance 100% of its AIDS response in the coming years. He said that Algeria is committed to the targets of the 2011 Political Declaration on AIDS and to the UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

A call for a more inclusive society

Meeting later in the day with Algeria’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Mr Bouabdellah Ghlamallah, Mr Sidibé requested the Minister’s support in ensuring a more inclusive society based on tolerance, compassion and respect for all human beings. He said that people of Islamic faith could promote HIV prevention by serving as a bridge between scientific evidence and social change.

Mr Ghlamallah reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for people living with HIV and populations at high risk of HIV infection. He said that the Ministry would continue to support El Hayet—a non-governmental organization of people living with HIV—in its efforts to reach the goal of zero discrimination.

“Religion must play an important role in preventing HIV and addressing questions around drug use and sexuality,” said the Minister.

Partnership to promote AIDS research

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé (left) and the Algerian Minister of Health, Dr Djamel Ould Abbès, signed an agreement on 2 April to create an African AIDS Research Centre in Tamanrasset, Algeria.

During his mission, the UNAIDS Executive Director signed an agreement with the Minister of Health, Dr Djamel Ould Abbès, to establish an African AIDS Research Centre in Tamanrasset, a city in southern Algeria. Scheduled to open in 2013, the Centre will facilitate the regional exchange of scientific knowledge and expertise in the domain of HIV and public health.

“This is a ‘win-win’ partnership between UNAIDS and the Government of Algeria,” said Dr Ould Abbès, noting that the collaboration would marry the technical expertise of UNAIDS with Algeria’s national resources and regional contacts.

Addressing stigma and discrimination

Speaking with key partners in the HIV response on 1 April—including health professionals, government officials, AIDS activists, people living with HIV and representatives of the United Nations—Mr Sidibé underscored the need to intensify national and regional efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination.

“Stigma drives people living with HIV and populations at high risk of HIV infection underground,” said Mr Sidibé. “It prevents vulnerable populations from accessing the HIV and health services they need.”

The HIV epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been on the rise since 2001.
Credit: UNAIDS/P.Virot

“We will save no effort to prevent new HIV infections and new AIDS related deaths in our region,” said H.E. Dr Abdel Latif Wreikat, Minister of Health of Jordan and the Chair of the 37^th Session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Health held on 14-15 March 2012 in Amman, Jordan.

At the session, the Council of the Arab Ministers of Health, representing the member countries of the League of Arab States, officially launched the Arab AIDS Initiative. This initiative aims at accelerating national and regional AIDS responses to achieve the targets set in the 2011 Political Declaration on AIDS. “We are committed to maintain HIV prevalence low in the Arab countries” stressed Dr Wreikat.

At the heart of the new initiative are the development of a “Unified Arab AIDS Strategy on HIV and AIDS” and the constitution of a technical committee to follow up the development and implementation of the new strategy. Overall, the strategy will help countries in the region to better understand their epidemics; create stronger political commitment and higher investment on AIDS; and will contribute to streamline AIDS within the wider development agenda. The technical committee will review the global targets of the Political Deceleration and develop a regional roadmap to reach them by 2015.

Sima Bahous, Assistant Secretary General of the League of Arab States expressed their determination to “work with our Member States to meet the commitments they made in signing the Political Deceleration on AIDS.”

This unprecedented initiative culminates a growing partnership between UNAIDS and the League of Arab States. A series of regional and sub-regional consultations and workshops took place during 2011 to unite Arab countries in their responses to AIDS. These trainings, which took place under the umbrella of the League of Arab States, were facilitated by UNAIDS who helped develop the agenda as well as the recommendations. UNAIDS has also assisted countries throughout the year in reviewing their National Strategic Plans to ensure that human rights were included in their national AIDS responses.

“We are pleased to see AIDS at the top of the priorities of the Arab League at a time of competing political priorities in the rapidly changing Arab World,” said Hind Khatib, Director of UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Middle East and North Africa. 

The HIV epidemic in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has been on the rise since 2001. Although the overall HIV prevalence in the region is still low, the rise in new infections has put MENA among the top two regions in the world with the fastest growing HIV epidemic. Approximately 500 000 people are living with HIV in the region and AIDS-related mortality has almost doubled in the past decade among both adults and children.

The HIV epidemic is primarily concentrated among people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men and sex workers. However, the epidemic reflects the diversity of the region with different populations more heavily affected in different places. Such diversity is further amplified by differing attitudes, policies, political commitments and the availability of and access to HIV prevention and treatment services in the different countries.

From left to right : Cameroonian football star Samuel Eto'o, Issa Hayatou, Chairperson of the African Football Confederation, First Lady of Gabon Sylvia Bongo Ondimba and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé travelled to the West African nation of Gabon on 23 January to lend his support to an innovative campaign launched by the Sylvia Bongo Ondimba Foundation—a charitable organization run by Gabon’s First Lady.

 The campaign, called “CAN without AIDS,” uses sports as a platform to reach millions of people with messages on HIV prevention across Africa, particularly youth. Timed with the 2012 Coupe d’Afrique des Nations (or “CAN”)—a football championship co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea—the campaign is supported by Cameroonian football star Samuel Eto’o and Didier Ovono, captain of Gabon’s national football team.

In a meeting at the First Lady’s offices in Libreville, the capital city of Gabon, Mr Sidibé thanked Madam Sylvia Bongo Ondimba for integrating the UNAIDS vision of “three zeroes”—Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths—in the “CAN without AIDS” campaign. He encouraged the First Lady to continue her efforts to strengthen the HIV response in Gabon and across the continent.

“I am very happy to be associated with the President and the First Lady of Gabon in this important campaign,” said Mr Sidibé. “UNAIDS will continue to work with the First Lady’s Foundation beyond the CAN 2012 tournament, and we want young people to respond to our call for a final score of zero,” he added.

After the football tournament ends in mid-February, “CAN without AIDS” will focus on the national HIV response in Gabon, with each quarter of the year dedicated to one of the “three zeroes.” UNAIDS and the First Lady’s Foundation signed an agreement to work together on this country-focused campaign.

Meeting with Gabon’s Head of State

In a separate meeting with President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon on 23 January, Mr Sidibé congratulated the Head of State for his personal engagement in the HIV response—nationally and globally. The UNAIDS Executive Director thanked the President for his participation in the June 2011 UN General Assembly High Level Meeting on AIDS, and for his leadership in the adoption of an historic Security Council resolution on AIDS.

During their discussion, Mr Sidibé and President Ali Bongo Ondimba expressed concern over Africa’s dependence on external financing for the HIV response. “The level of development aid is a reflection of our own commitment,” noted President Ondimba. “I am ready to open the debate on AIDS dependency with colleagues to find local solutions,” he added.

An estimated two-thirds of AIDS expenditures in Africa come from external sources. Between 2009 and 2010, international investments for AIDS dropped by 13%.

AIDS advocacy with football star Samuel Eto’o

Later in the day, UNAIDS Executive Director held a joint press conference with Samuel Eto’o at the Agondjé stadium in Libreville.  Mr Sidibé emphasized that an international football player like Eto’o can carry a powerful message to young people in Africa and beyond—including Eastern Europe, where the HIV epidemic is growing at a rapid rate.

Samuel Eto'o (pictured left) and the UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

During the press briefing, Mr Eto’o underscored the need to openly discuss HIV-related issues and to find solutions. “I hope HIV will stop being taboo in our communities,” he said.

The visit to Gabon culminated with a symbolic gesture: the release of 50 000 red and white balloons above the stadium in the presence of the First Lady, Samuel Eto’o, the UNAIDS Executive Director, the Chairperson of the African Football Confederation, Issa Hayatou, and the Director-General of the First Lady’s Foundation, Guillaume Adam.

First Deputy Minister of Health of Libya, Dr. Adel M. Abushoffa (Left) and UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé

A Libyan delegation headed by the Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Adel M. Abushoffa met with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé on 24 January at UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The aim of the meeting was to set up the short-term priorities for the country’s response to AIDS as well as to establish the basis for the development of a strong national AIDS plan.

Libya is gradually recovering from civil war. As a result the country is spearheaded by a transitional government that has the rebuilding of social and health services among its priorities, including HIV. 

“We have important and urgent issues to tackle regarding the provision of health services to the people of Libya, including the need to deal with refugees coming from all parts of the country,” said Mr Abushoffa. “We count on UNAIDS to help us re-establish a functioning health system through an integrated approach to resolve the post crisis health situation in the country.”

During the meeting, UNAIDS offered its support and expertise to the government in defining an inclusive strategy that will bring all sectors together to effectively respond to AIDS in the country. In collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS will also provide technical guidance to the government in terms of monitoring the epidemic, identifying priorities and building the government’s capacity to take ownership of the response. 

“We are encouraged by Libya’s pursuit of democracy,” said Mr Sidibé. “UNAIDS will do its part in providing solutions for the reconstruction and sustainability of the health system, helping the country provide universal access to HIV services to all it citizens.”

HIV surveillance needed

Peripheral health services in the country are hardly functioning due to shortage of liquidity, supplies and staff. The remaining functioning hospitals carry the burden of primary care and additional caseload of war wounded due to the occasional fighting still taking place. The transitional government is also faced with other immediate health challenges such as securing drug supply; disease control; information and surveillance.

The HIV prevalence prior to the war was estimated at 0.13% based on a 2006 survey with the main mode of transmission being the sharing of contaminated injecting equipment among drug users. Mr Sidibé pointed out the importance of accurate and up-to-date HIV information in order to develop evidence-based programmes that efficiently respond to specific contexts. 

Between 2000 to 3000 people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment before the war. Now the ARV supply has been interrupted for more than six months. Despite efforts from the Ministry of Health to procure the HIV drugs, challenges remain. The ministry of Health together with WHO has discussed the possibility to launch an appeal to get immediate supply of ARVs on loan from other countries or from drug companies. UNAIDS will coordinate the work of the UN in collaboration with the transitional government in order to re-construct the procurement and supply system of ARVs to restore the continuity of services and support to people living with HIV.

Credit: UNAIDS

On World AIDS Day, 1 December 2011, the President of the Republic of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma, officially launched the new South African National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV, STIs and TB, 2012–2016.

To frame the NSP, the South African government has adopted UNAIDS vision of ‘zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths’. South Africa however, has added a fourth zero to the plan: ‘zero new infections due to mother-to-child transmission’.

“The addition of the fourth zero shows South Africa’s commitment towards the elimination of new HIV infections among children,” said UNAIDS Country Coordinator Dr. Catherine Sozi. “South Africa has already seen a 50% reduction in mother-to-child HIV transmission between 2008 and 2010. With the prioritization of preventing new HIV infections among children in the new NSP, we are confident that a new generation free of HIV is in our sight,” she added.

The NSP is the product of a long consultative process which the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) held with the relevant government line ministries, civil society sectors and the private sector. As President Jacob Zuma remarked in his speech on World AIDS Day, the NSP “belongs to all South Africans and all sectors”. 

It also takes into account the bold targets set at the High-Level Meeting on AIDS that took place in New York in June 2011. The new plan denotes the country’s seriousness in honouring the commitments made by adopting the ‘Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS: Intensifying our Efforts to Eliminate HIV/AIDS’ at the High-Level Meeting.

In total there are five overarching goals of the NSP: to halve the number of new HIV infections; ensure that at least 80% of people who are eligible for treatment for HIV are receiving it (at least 70% should be alive and still on treatment after five years); halve the number of new TB infections and deaths from TB; ensure that the rights of people living with HIV are protected; and halve stigma related to HIV and TB.

It is the first time that the national plan includes tuberculosis in its goals and strategic objectives. This is due to the high co-infection of HIV and TB in the country, estimated to be approximately 70% in people living with HIV and/or TB. South Africa has the third highest TB incidence in the world, following only China and India.

National stakeholders agreed that in order to achieve the bold targets outlined in the plan there is a need to scale up resources even amidst the current global economic crisis. Owning the resources to fund the plan was seen as key to an effective HIV response. In 2010, South Africa funded almost two-thirds of its own response and committed more than $1 billion to it. For the current plan, alternative sources of funding are being explored such as applying a tax to financial transactions.

From left to right: President of the World Council of Churches, Abune Paulos I. Ambassador Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS Coordinator, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, African Union Social Affairs Commissioner Ms Bience Gawanas, Minister of Health of Mali, Ms Madeleine Ba Diallo, former president of Botswana, Mr Festus Gontebanye Mogae, Minister of Health of Algeria, Mr Oueld Zbel Yastahel Kadad, and the Minister of Health of Rwanda, Dr Agnes Binagwaho. 5 December, 2011.
Credit: UNAIDS/J. Ose.

African leaders met on Monday 5 December at a special roundtable session during the International Conference of AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA 2011) to take stock of the efforts and promises made towards the AIDS response, the challenges and the way forward to fulfill these commitments.

Participants at the roundtable session were UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé, former president of Botswana, Mr Festus Gontebanye Mogae, Ambassador Eric Goosby, United States Global AIDS Coordinator, Minister of Health of Algeria, Mr Oueld Zbel Yastahel Kadad, Minister of Health of Rwanda, Dr Agnes Binagwaho, Minister of Health of Mali, Ms Madeleine Ba Diallo, African Union Social Affairs Commissioner Ms Bience Gawanas and the President of the World Council of Churches, Abune Paulos I.

Initial discussions evolved around the role of African leaders in the HIV response and the efforts devoted to mobilize resources locally. In his opening remarks, Mr Sidibé called upon African leaders to find ways to sustain and scale up progress made in the region while trying to be more independent from external resources. “If we don’t have political leadership the transformation of the AIDS response in the region will not happen,” said Mr Sidibé.

Participants articulated the efforts and promises made toward the AIDS response, in particular with respect to the Millennium Development Goals and the Abuja and Maputo declarations. “We have created a political platform but we must keep AIDS high in the political agenda,” said Ms Gawanes. “Now is the time when these declarations need to be translated into better life for people,” she added.

Ambassador Goosby reiterated the commitment from the United States towards an HIV-free generation as well as his government’s decision to scale up efforts to put more people on HIV treatment.

The speakers highlighted the progress made in the AIDS response, both in Africa and globally, but were quick to stress that challenges still exist and continue to arise. All participants agreed that if HIV prevention programmes are to be fully implemented communities must be engaged and adequately funded.

WASHINGTON D.C./GENEVA, 8 November 2011—The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) commends the United States Government on its continued leadership in the AIDS response following the call by the US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for global solidarity to “change the course of the epidemic and usher in an AIDS-free generation”.

“Leadership from the United States has been vital to the AIDS response to date and will be key to seizing this historic opportunity,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Secretary Clinton has reaffirmed the United States’ Government’s strong commitment to this effort and has described a vision that should inspire us all. I hope that her call will galvanize leadership from around the globe to accelerate efforts to end the AIDS epidemic.”

In her speech, the US Secretary of State outlined the far-reaching impact of scaling up scientifically proven prevention strategies in combination with new and emerging developments in HIV science and research. These strategies include: elimination of new HIV infections among children, increased voluntary medical male circumcision, and expanded access to treatment.

Earlier this year UNAIDS highlighted the significance of the recent research demonstrating that people who access treatment early can reduce their likelihood of transmitting HIV to a partner by 96%. The potential impact of treatment for prevention will change attitudes, connect communities and motivate millions of people find out their HIV status and to talk openly with their partners about HIV.

To achieve an AIDS-free generation, the US Secretary of State reiterated UNAIDS’ call for greater engagement and investment in the global AIDS response by both donor and recipient countries.

UNAIDS underlines the importance of shared responsibility in the AIDS response. Shared responsibility is one of the central pillars of UNAIDS’ strategy to reach zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths by 2015.

UNAIDS is already working closely with PEPFAR and other partners around the world to achieve the ambitious goals UN member states committed to in the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. Achieving these goals will bring the world one step closer to an AIDS-free generation.

Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga (left) shakes hands with UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé following a meeting at the Prime Minister’s office in Nairobi on 2 November.

In a meeting with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga on 2 November, UNAIDS Executive Director commended the Government of Kenya on progress in the country’s HIV response, including the significant scale-up in treatment access and expansion of services to prevent new HIV infections among children.

Over the past decade, Kenya has stabilized its rate of new HIV infections. National adult coverage of antiretroviral therapy has expanded from an estimated 4% in 2004 to 72% in 2010. About 78% of pregnant women living with HIV are now receiving antiretroviral treatment to prevent new HIV infections in their children, compared to 21% in 2006.

“Building on the momentum of this year’s High Level Meeting on AIDS, we are seeing unprecedented support for our vision of zero new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive,” said Mr Sidibé, while meeting with the Prime Minister in Nairobi. “I congratulate the Government of Kenya for translating this goal into action on the ground.”

Prime Minister Odinga said that the Government of Kenya will pursue the initiation of a national declaration calling for the elimination of new HIV infections among children by the year 2015. “I will lead all line ministries to support this critical goal,” he said.

The Prime Minister underscored that Kenya’s new constitution, adopted in August 2010, is a model for equity and social inclusion. “This is a great opportunity for us to lead on HIV and human rights for the people of Kenya who need access to services and justice,” he said. Greater financial contributions from national sources will be critical to ensure the long-term sustainability of Kenya’s response to AIDS, he added.

The UNAIDS Executive Director commended the Government of Kenya for establishing the Kenya HIV/AIDS Tribunal under the Kenya HIV Prevention and Control Act—one of the first tribunals in the world aimed at increasing access to justice for people affected by HIV and addressing HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

Mr Sidibé’s meeting with Prime Minister Odinga launched his two-day official UNAIDS mission to Kenya. During the mission, the UNAIDS Executive Director will meet Kenya’s Minister of Special Programmes, the Minister of Public Health and Sanitation and the Minister for Medical Services. He will also deliver opening remarks at a consultation for Global Fund Implementers.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and Luxembourg’s Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Marie-Josée Jacobs.

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé commended the country’s contribution to the AIDS response and its support to UNAIDS at a meeting with the Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, Marie-Josée Jacobs in Luxembourg.

“The Government of Luxembourg has been a longstanding partner in the global AIDS response and has shown strong leadership through its engagement in social justice against social disparities,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé.

During his visit Mr Sidibé also met with the Minister of Health, members of parliament, senior officials from the Directorate for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representatives from youth groups.

Since the beginning of the epidemic Luxembourg has been committed to the AIDS response and supports many programmes around the world. The country is expanding its response to HIV and is focusing on gender equality and stopping new HIV infections among children with special emphasis on women and girls and young people.

"Besides its bilateral commitments in public health and more specifically in the response to AIDS, Luxembourg maximizes the impact of its international development cooperation by working with strategic partners such as UNAIDS,” said Minister Jacobs. “Luxembourg will focus its efforts on three tracks which are crucial for the global AIDS response: HIV prevention, treatment and research.” 

From 2005 to 2011, Luxembourg has contributed more than EUR 32.8 million to the work of UNAIDS. Today its commitment to AIDS is stronger than ever, with financial commitments remaining firm despite difficult economic times.

During the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS in June 2011, Minister Jacobs chaired a pivotal panel on HIV prevention. Mr Sidibé commended her engagement and briefed her on current issues including Treatment for Prevention, Treatment 2.0 and the important link between HIV and non-communicable diseases. He also emphasized that UNAIDS will continue to work closely with Luxembourg to ensure that AIDS remains high on global political agenda and that the progress made to date is not put in jeopardy.

The visit concluded with a conversation with youth representatives. Mr Sidibé emphasized the importance of strengthening the leadership of young people in the global AIDS response as well as the need for a prevention revolution to break the trajectory of the epidemic. "Young people don't want to be passive beneficiaries but active players for change. They are refusing to accept stigma and exclusion.”