UNAIDS PCB – Statement
Agenda Item 2
Update on the AIDS response in the Post-2015 development agenda
26 October 2015 – UNAIDS PCB Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland
Thank you Mr. Chair,
This statement is made on behalf of the Stop Aids Alliance, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Aids Fonds/STOP AIDS Now!, the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD), and the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+).
We acknowledge the crucial role of UNAIDS thus far in positioning HIV and AIDS within the Sustainable Development Goals. Now that the global development framework is in place, the focus will be on the means of implementation, including financing for the target of ending AIDS.
We appreciate the information provided in the background document for this agenda point. In this statement, we would like to highlight three key areas of concerns where we call upon UNAIDS to show its strong leadership for the post-2015 era:
1. Strengthen engagement of donors to ensure continued commitment to ending AIDS. A system of shared responsibility is needed, where funding comes from both domestic and international sources. With great concern we are witnessing a funding backlash from donors; In September, Denmark announced a proposed HIV funding cut for the fast track period and last week we learned that Germany will not host the Global Fund replenishment meeting. These developments are especially disheartening, and directly undermine national commitments to our collective global targets. Fast track funding is imperative in meeting our Fast Track targets and ensuring that no one is left behind. We call on donors to live up to the promises made to help meet the sustainable development goals and reverse the cuts to HIV/AIDS.
The High Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS, UNGASS on drugs, and the Global Fund replenishment process are crucial opportunities to secure political and financial commitment to achieve these targets. More immediately, we recognize the catalytic role that UNAIDS is well positioned to play in this upcoming 2015 World AIDS Day. With our 2020 targets a mere 4 years away, UNAIDS has a critical and integral role in mobilizing political will across the SDGs to shed the ‘business as usual approach’ and to confirm that the necessary resources are rallied. We look forward to working in close collaboration with UNAIDS to make this December 1st a game-changer in our collective movement to end AIDS.
2. Working to ensure that Universal Health Coverage schemes cover comprehensive services for HIV including prevention, treatment and support services for all. There is a risk that countries will seek to advance progress towards Universal Health Coverage by focusing on treatment only and, on easier-to-reach populations, while excluding key populations and prevention services. UHC is a critical way for ending AIDS so long as it includes comprehensive services for HIV that reach all people who need it.
3. Showing leadership in the SDG indicator setting process by advocating with the UN Statistical Commission for strong global HIV indicators under the target to End AIDS as well as other relevant targets and by supporting countries with the development of robust national indicators on HIV. These indicators should be developed through inclusive processes at the global and country level including meaningful civil society and community engagement.
People living with HIV, communities and civil society more broadly have played a key advocacy role to ensure that HIV and AIDS remains a priority in the post-2015 era. We will continue to play a critical role advocating for effective and inclusive means of implementation and look forward to working closely alongside member states, the UN family, particularly the UNAIDS Secretariat and its co-sponsors, to move this agenda forward.
Thank you.
Stop Aids Alliance
International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Aids Fonds/STOP AIDS Now!
Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development (ICAD)
Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+)
