UNAIDS calls for global freedom of movement for people living with HIV in 2010

GENEVA, WASHINGTON DC, 4 January 2010 - UNAIDS strongly welcomes the elimination of travel restrictions based on HIV status by the Republic of Korea, effective 1 January 2010. It also commends the United States for full implementation of the final rule that removes entry restrictions which means that travellers living with HIV can freely enter the United States of America as of today.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated President Lee Myung-bak on the Republic of Korea's decision. "I applaud President Lee for his country's leadership in ending restrictions towards people living with HIV that have no public health benefit," said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

"I repeat my call to all other countries with such discriminatory restrictions to take steps to remove them at the earliest."

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Map of countries, territories and areas that have some form of HIV-related restriction on entry, stay or residence

Over the past 25 years, the HIV epidemic has brought to the forefront gender, racial and socio-economic inequalities in all cultures. However, across the African continent, national law and law enforcement has not always protected people most vulnerable to HIV.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the United Nations Development Programme, the International Association of Women Judges and the International Commission of Jurists are convening a two-day meeting of 30 eminent jurists from across Africa to address some of these issues and discuss the role of the judiciary in the AIDS response.

The meeting will take place from 10-12 December during which participants will review a number of HIV-related judgements from the region and will engage with other experts including people living with HIV, members of vulnerable populations and non-governmental organisations working on HIV and the law in Africa. Key issues to be discussed during the meeting will include, among others:

• Science and evidence-informed judicial responses to HIV
• Unfair discrimination against people living with HIV
• Using the law to protect women and mitigate the impact of the epidemic
• Therole of the criminal law in the AIDS response
• Using the law to ensure, expand and sustain access to treatment in Africa

Members of the press are invited to attend the opening session "HIV, law and the judiciary: realizing rights in the response to the pandemic".

UNAIDS Press Contact

Chiara Frisone | frisonec@unaids.org | tel. +27 11 517 1515 / +27 828 804 729

NEW YORK/GENEVA/BARCELONA - 30 November 2009 - National efforts to combat AIDS, particularly preventing mother-to-child transmission, are showin positive results, but mnay HIV and AIDS affected children still struggle to have their basic needs met, according to a report launched today by four United Nations agencies.

The report, titled Children and AIDS: The Fourth Stocktaking Report, 2009 and published jointly by UNAIDS, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), features data on interventions that protect women and children from HIV and AIDS and a set of principles to guide accelerated action.

The data shows there has been significant progress in some countries in both treatment to avoid mother-to-child transmission and testing of pregnant women for HIV. Treatment to prevent mother-to-child transmission is now provided to 95 per cent of those in need in Botswana, 91 per cent in Namibia and 73 per cent in South Africa -- all countries with high HIV prevalence. Progress is particularly evident in South Africa, where coverage was risen from just 15 per cent in 2004.

Downloadable documents

• Children and AIDS: 4th Stocktacking Report
• One page summary - Children and AIDS: 4th Stocktacking Report
• Key Facts - Children and AIDS: 4th Stocktacking Report

Efforts towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support are bringing AIDS out of isolation

Geneva / Shanghai, 24 November 2009 - According to new data in the 2009 AIDS Epidemic Update, new HIV infections have been reduced by 17% over the past eight years. Since 2001, when the United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS was signed, the number of new infections in sub-Saharan Africa is approximately 15% lower, which is around 400,000 fewer infections in 2008. In East Asia, new HIV infections declined by nearly 25% and in South and South-East Asia by 10% in the same time period. In Eastern Europe, after a dramatic increase in new infections among injecting drug users, the epidemic has leveled off considerably. However, in some countries there are signs that new HIV infections are rising again.

The report, released today by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights that beyond the peak and natural course of the epidemic, HIV prevention programmes are making a difference.

Download Outlook 2010
Download AIDS Epidemic Update

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and WHO are publishing a new double report ahead of World AIDS Day, the UNAIDS Outlook 2010, which explores new ideas and ways to use the data collected in the companion report, the AIDS Epidemic Update.

This year's report holds interesting new data on the impact of the AIDS response on epidemic trends, gives in depth analysis of how the epidemic has evolved over the past eight years and whether HIV prevention programmes are keeping up with these shifts.

The report also details how funds could be better utilized to make more of an impact which will prove essential in the wake of the economic crisis.

UNAIDS will be holding two rounds of press calls on the day of the release to brief journalists about the new report. Please join either the 10:00 GMT call or the 16:00 GMT call and dial in 10 minutes before the briefing begins to register.

Date, time Tuesday 24 November 2009 - 10:00 GMT and 16:00 GMT

Speakers

Paul De Lay, UNAIDS, Deputy Executive Director, Programme
Teguest Guerma, Acting Director, HIV/AIDS Department, WHO

Dial in Numbers Please call in 10 minutes before the briefing begins

South Africa (toll free): 0800 998664
Switzerland (toll): 044 580 46 23
Switzerland (toll free): 0800 87 50 01
France (toll): 01 707 09505
France (toll free): 0805 110 279
UK (toll): 0203 043 2466
UK (toll free): 0800 0517098
USA (toll): 703 6219130
USA (toll free): 1866 3859 214

PIN Code On connecting, type PIN code 18599449#, record your name and media outlet, and then press the # key again. To ask a question during the Q&A session, type 01.

If your country of residence is not included above, dial in numbers or dial +41 (0)44 580 16 72 for assistance.

Note: The main press launch will be held in Shanghai with the Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé. To view the press conference live please go to: mms://61.135.179.108/news1 at 08:30 GMT on Tuesday 24^th November.  You can also to link directly from the UNAIDS homepage at www.unaids.org

UNAIDS Press Office - Sophie Barton-Knott | bartonknotts@unaids.org | +41 22 791 1697

Pretoria 23 November 2009 - Although little research has been conducted on the role of same-sex HIV transmission in Africa, recent studies presented at international AIDS conferences in Mexico and Canada indicate HIV prevalence is considerably higher among men who have sex with men than in the general population.

According to an article published in the Lancet in July, the proportion of HIV incidence (i.e. the number of new HIV infections) is estimated to be as high as 20% in osme west African countries. However, the latest UNGASS country reports (2008) show that only 12% of men who have sex with men are accessing HIV prevention services across Africa.

Johannesburg. 19 November 2009 - Worldwide, the high rates of HIV in prisons pose a serious threat for prison populations and in turn, the broader community. The lack of knowledge and education amongst prisoners regarding the risks of contracting and transmitting HIV, along with the absence of protective measures and proper health services in prisons, increases their risks of infection. Upon release, despite having been at high risk of exposure for HIV transmission whilst in prison, most return to the community where they may engage in pre-existing high risk activities for the transmission of HIV such as sexual behaviour of multiple concurrent partners and Injecting Drug Use (IDU), and as a result increasing the risks of HIV infection for the broader community.

In this light, UNODC, in partnership with WHO, the World Bank and UNAIDS launched the African HIV in Prisons Partnership Network (AHPPN) with the objective of supporting relevant stakeholders in their efforts to mount effective, human rights-based responses to HIV in prisons in Africa, through advocacy and facilitation of international, national and multi-sectoral cooperation and action.

In order to support the Networks activities, the AHPPN website has been released to facilitate information sharing and ideas generation. Please register as a user at www.ahppn.org to access the meeting presentations and any other information generated by the Network's members.

Downloadable documents:

• Situation Analysis: HIV in Prison and HIV and Injecting Drug Use in Africa
• HIV and AIDS in places of detention. A toolkit for policymakers, programme managers,  prison officers and  health care providers in prison settings

30 October 2009 - South Africa's response to AIDS received a powerful boost with President Jacob Zuma's landmark speech to the National Council of Provinces on 29 October 2009. The speech heralds the beginning of a new movement to accelerate access towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support in the country which has the largest number of people living with HIV. In his speech the President calls on all leaders to work together and use evidence to inform the country's AIDS response.

Congratulating the President on his bold leadership, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé said, "President Zuma has shown extraordinary vision in prioritizing AIDS as an issue of national importance. His call to end denialism and embark on a national mobilization campaign will saves thousands of lives."

NAIROBI, 9 October 2009 - Music stars participating at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) ceremony, being held tomorrow in Nairobi, Kenya, can have a significant impact in educating young people about HIV and changing their behaviour, according to UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé. The event will be aired worldwide with an estimated TV audience of 1 billion viewers.

Today, young people aged 15 to 24 account for 45% of new HIV infections worldwide. Many of them lack basic knowledge about HIV prevention. Data from 64 countries indicate that only 40% of males and 38% of females aged 15 to 24 had accurate and comprehensive knowledge about HIV and how to avoid transmission.

"UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has encouraged UNAIDS to keep the leaders of tomorrow healthy today," said Mr Sidibé. "The music stars at MTV Africa Music Awards can help fast-track awareness about HIV into the hearts and minds of African youth."

Johannesburg, 25 September 2009 - Towards universal access is the third in a series of annual progress reports developed by WHO, UNAIDS and UNICEF to monitor the health sector response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The report includes the latest figures on access to antiretroviral treatment as well as information on a broad range of interventions such as HIV testing and counselling and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. It assesses current achievements and ongoing challenges in moving towards the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

What: Press briefing

When: Wednesday, 30 September from 11.30 am to 1 pm

Where: Kwacha room, The Rosebank Hotel, Corner Tyrwhitt and Sturdee Avenue, 
Rosebank, Johannesburg

Speakers:

> Mark Stirling, UNAIDS Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa

> Dr. Stella Anyangwe, WHO Country Representative for South Africa

> David Alnwick, Senior HIV/AIDS Advisor, UNICEF Eastern and Southern
Africa Regional Office

> A representative from the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC)

Contact: Chiara Frisone | tel. +27 82 880 4729 | frisonec@unaids.org

Geneva, 24 September 2009 - The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) are optimistic about the results, announced today, of the largest ever HIV vaccine clinical trial held to date.

The study results, representing a significant scientific advance, are the first demonstration that a vaccine can prevent HIV infection in a general adult population and are of great importance.

The two UN agencies congratulate both the principal investigators, sponsors and the trial volunteers who have made this encouraging result possible.

The RV144 HIV vaccine study results, revealing a 31.2% vaccine efficacy in preventing HIV infections are characterized as modestly protective. However, these results have instilled new hope in the HIV vaccine research field and promise that a safe and highly effective HIV vaccine may become available  for  populations throughout the world who are most in need of such a vaccine. No vaccine safety issues were observed in the trial.

The UNAIDS Regional Support Team for Eastern and Southern Africa has developed a Rapid Access Guide to a number of key resources on HIV prevention in Eastern and Southern Africa.

The Guide will be updated monthly and will feature the latest key research, reference documents and websites available in a number of thematic areas relevant to HIV prevention.

The Rapid Access Guide can be accessed HERE.

For more information or to be added to the mailing list for the Rapid Access Guide, please contact Helen Jackson, Senior HIV Prevention Advisor jacksonh@unaids.org

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé is paying his first official visit to Rwanda from 27 August to 3 September to recognize and support the achievements of the Government of Rwanda in the HIV response and conduct high-level advocacy for universal access to HIV services and the Millennium Development Goals.

Mr Sidibé will meet with the President of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame, and the First Lady of Rwanda, H.E. Jeanette Kagame, to discuss the current global and regional opportunities and challenges in tackling HIV and how they will influence the long-term AIDS response in Rwanda and across Africa. Meetings are also scheduled with representatives from the private sector, civil society, including people living with HIV, and high-level representatives from the government and UN agencies. The meetings will provide an opportunity to address the United Nations' support in Rwanda's HIV response.

GENEVA, 6 August 2009 - UNAIDS welcomes the two separate price reduction agreements reached by the Clinton Foundation with pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Matrix to improve access to AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) medicines for people in need of second line treatment. These medicines are required when people living with HIV fail to respond to standard treatment regimens. At the end of 2008, an estimated 5% of the people on antiretroviral treatment required second line drugs. The need for these drugs is expected to rise in the coming years.

"The reduction of prices of second line antiretroviral drugs will saves lives," said UNAIDS executive director Mr Michel Sidibé. "These agreements will help improve the sustainability of national treatment programmes over the long term".

The agreement with Matrix to make available three second line drugs in a single package will also contribute to the ease of delivery and help increase treatment adherence.

20 July, 2009 - The Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe has pledged to strengthen work on eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV.

His declaration came during his welcoming address at the opening session of the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa from 19-22 July.

The Deputy President said that the importance of eliminating mother to child transmission of HIV was reinforced to him during his meeting with the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibé with whom he had met just three days earlier in Pretoria.

The two men met whilst Mr Sidibé was on an official visit to South Africa to highlight some of the key priority areas he urged South Africa to focus on in the coming years.

New report finds first decline in HIV vaccine R&D investment in a decade

Cape Town, 20 July 2009 - A new report on investment in HIV prevention research in 2008 finds that HIV vaccine research funding levels decreased for the first time since investment trends have been tracked. This may have been influenced by shifts in scientific priorities, the declining economy and competing priorities in the larger global health agenda. Despite this decrease, the overall trend since 2000 has been of increasing investment for experimental biomedical prevention strategies.

08 July 2009

"Strengthened services for maternal health, for reproductive health and for paediatric health will mean we can prevent mothers from dying and babies from becoming infected with HIV in Lesotho and around the world," said Mr Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director.

Mr Sidibé was speaking during his official visit to Lesotho which ended with a visit to the children's ward and mother and child health section of the Queen Elizabeth II hospital in Maseru. He was accompanied by the Minister of Health Dr Mphu Ramatlapeng.

02 July 2009

When African leaders discuss economic growth in Africa at this week’s African Union Summit, their options will be constrained by the growing AIDS epidemic and slow progress on reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). For example, over the years we have seen agriculture output being impacted by people unable to till their fields or having to sell their land to take care of themselves and their families.

Geneva, July 6, 2009-In 22 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and Central Asia, and Asia and Pacific, disruption of HIV prevention and treatment programs is expected over the course of this year as a result of the global economic crisis, according to a new report from UNAIDS and the World Bank, released today.

According to the new report, 'The Global Economic Crisis and HIV Prevention and Treatment Programmes: Vulnerabilities and Impact', reports from agency staff in 71 countries indicate that eight countries are already facing shortages of antiretroviral drugs or other disruptions to AIDS treatment. Together, these countries are home to more than 60% of people worldwide receiving AIDS treatment.

17 June 2009

We, the Champions for an HIV-Free Generation, visited Namibia from June 14-17 on a regional mission to share experiences and encourage leadership to renew and revitalize the response to the HIV epidemic. We came to exchange views with government and civil society leaders on what can be done to arrest the spread of HIV and AIDS. We came to reach out to our peers and to find solutions together.