The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board called for stronger global solidarity and shared responsibility to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 during a thematic segment held on 28 October in Geneva, Switzerland.
The thematic session, part of the Board’s 37th meeting, brought together distinguished speakers representing governments, civil society, the private sector and the international community to inform the discussion around a sustainable AIDS response.
In his keynote address, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, Chief Executive Officer of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Planning and Coordinating Agency said that the unique governance mechanism that made the AIDS response successful should be replicated in broader health issues.
Participants agreed that achieving AIDS-related targets in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be done through a Fast-Track approach which is adequately funded, equitable and addresses the needs of key populations at higher risk of HIV infection.
In recent years, several countries have been increasing domestic AIDS investments through various mechanisms, including levies, and have focused resources on high impact programmes. But significant additional funding will be required to achieve the 90-90-90 treatment target by 2020.
Participants agreed that community responses are central to the governance and implementation of the AIDS response and that ensuring the effective participation of civil society, people living with HIV and other key populations in policy development mechanisms is essential.
“Strategic investments in community responses will not happen without structural changes in the way the governments and donors allocate funds. We need a systematic way to ensure that funding reaches community groups,” said Alessandra Nilo, Co-founder and Executive Director of Gestos, an AIDS organization located in Brazil,. She added, “Indicators of inclusion, empowerment of all people, transparency, promotion and guarantee of rights-based policies will be fundamental.”
In closing the session, Luiz Loures, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director noted that the key to achievement of the SDG targets lies in innovation in the means of implementation. Strengthening the components of shared responsibility that are financing and governance to ensure efficiency will be critical factors to reaching an End of AIDS where no one is left behind.
