Luxembourg and UNAIDS have officially launched their partnership to accelerate progress towards the implementation of the 90–90–90 target.
The collaboration between Luxembourg and UNAIDS on the target was announced at the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board meeting held in December 2014. The partnership will entail the organization of high-level thematic consultations to generate political, technical and strategic recommendations to help countries achieve the treatment target.
The first such consultation will be a technical meeting jointly organized by UNAIDS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Luxembourg, to be held on 10 and 11 February in Geneva, Switzerland. The event aims to generate a clear action agenda to close the HIV testing and treatment gap for key populations at higher risk of HIV infection, such as men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, prisoners, sex workers and transgender people.
Under the 90–90–90 treatment target, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression by 2020. Modelling suggests that achieving this ambitious target will enable the world to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, which in turn will generate profound health and economic benefits.
The recommendations of the series of thematic consultations will be used to help to achieve the 90–90–90 targets and to address the remaining challenges in the global AIDS response, such as inadequate diagnostic services, inefficient deployment of health professionals and the availability of HIV services for key populations and children.
Luxembourg is highly committed to its development cooperation efforts, being one of the few countries to still allocate 1% of its gross national income to official development assistance (ODA). The country focuses on a number of priority sectors in its development work; with over 12% of total ODA, health is the most important.
“By having agreed to champion this ambitious target, I am counting on Luxembourg’s support to spearhead a true political movement around the world where the international community is committed to addressing the remaining challenges and ultimately ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.”
Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director
“Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 requires us to put into action the very ambitious 90–90–90 target for all, including key populations. Luxembourg is proud to take on this championship challenge and will work to make sure no one is left behind.”
Marc Angel, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Foreign and European Affairs Committee, Parliament of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg
