Update

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé has praised President Ali Bongo Ondimba for his leadership on HIV and shared his conviction that Gabon is on the right path to ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. During a meeting with President Bongo Ondimba on 28 November, Mr Sidibé urged the country to accelerate the implementation of the UNAIDS Fast-Track approach. President Bongo Ondimba reaffirmed Gabon’s commitment to eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV and to reaching the UNAIDS treatment target by 2020.

Gabon has made progress in its HIV response that needs to be consolidated. Between 2004 and 2014, new HIV infections fell by more than 64% and AIDS-related deaths fell by 50%, although there has been a worrying rise in adolescent AIDS-related deaths. Access to antiretroviral therapy has dramatically increased, but 53% of adults and 72% of children living with HIV are still in need of treatment.

A number of global initiatives, such as HIV and cities and All In, to end adolescent AIDS, have recently been launched by the Gabonese authorities with the support of UNAIDS and partners. Such initiatives will help translate commitments to Fast-Track the HIV response into targeted actions and rapid results. Accelerating the AIDS response in Gabon will also contribute to improving the performance of health and social services in the country.

During his two-day visit to Gabon, Mr Sidibé also met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Vice-Premier, the Minister of Health, Social Affairs and National Solidarity, the First Lady and young people living with HIV engaged in a promising entrepreneurship programme. He also launched the global UNAIDS ProTestHIV initiative, which encourages young people to know their HIV status.