Organizations of the world: Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS

Life is changing at a kaleidoscopic pace. Not so long ago, the fears of ordinary Ukrainians were quite different. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the war occupied all our thoughts and energy. But if we go back to pre-digital times, we recall that AIDS was considered one of the main threats of our time. The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, or UNAIDS, is an organization that fights the disease on a global scale. Today we will tell you about it.

This is another publication in a series of materials in which we tell you which countries are members of certain international organizations and what role they play in the world.
In previous issues, we have considered the essence of the work of:
World Bank,
General Assembly,
Security Council,
International Court of Justice,
UNICEF,
Red Cross and others.

General characteristics of the UN

The United Nations consists of 193 states. All sovereign countries can be found among the UN member states, except for the Vatican. Such a respectable representation potentially allows to consider and resolve any issues of global or regional level. In particular, the UN is able to extinguish armed conflicts, as it was repeatedly demonstrated in the twentieth century (Iraq, the former Yugoslavia, Somalia).

The organization is headquartered in New York. The UN also has additional offices in Vienna, Geneva, Nairobi and The Hague. The organization uses six official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

The UN structure includes six main bodies: The General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Secretariat, the International Court of Justice and the Trusteeship Council. However, the latter body has been formally suspended since 1994. The chief official of the UN is the Secretary-General. Since January 1, 2017, this position has been held by Portuguese politician and diplomat Antonio Guterres.

General description of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (hereinafter referred to as UNAIDS) is an association of a number of international organizations to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its consequences on a global scale. The program includes 11 sponsoring organizations affiliated with the UN system: UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO, and the World Bank. UNAIDS aims to end AIDS worldwide by 2030. The organization is headquartered in Geneva. UNAIDS offices are currently located in 82 countries. The program was created by ECOSOC in 1994 and officially launched in January 1996.

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva. Photo: Photo.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

The program is headed by an executive director. Since 2019, this position has been held by Ugandan politician and human rights activist Winnie Byanyima. She succeeded Swedish politician Gunilla Carlsson, who served as interim director.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. Photo: UNAIDS

UNAIDS governance

The governing body of UNAIDS is the Coordinating Board (CB). It is composed of 22 representatives of states from all geographical regions of the world, UNAIDS sponsoring organizations and five representatives of non-governmental organizations, including associations of people living with HIV. The PCB has a number of functions, including the following: 1) formulation of general principles of the program; 2) consideration and decision-making on planning and implementation of the program; 3) consideration and approval of the budget.

<span><span><span><span><span><span><span>A meeting of the UNAIDS Coordinating Board. Photo: PHOTO.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span>

UNAIDS activities

UNAIDS stands out even among the many different programs and projects within the UN system. First, the program is actually a cooperative project created with the participation of eleven different organizations. That is, if necessary, the capacities of each of the organizations can be involved in a particular project, which greatly expands the program's capabilities. All of these organizations are either fully integrated into the UN system or are affiliated with it. This greatly facilitates joint projects with other UN organizations. Secondly, the UNAIDS governing body includes representatives of civil society, which significantly democratizes decision-making.

UNAIDS initiated the Global Strategy for the Fight against AIDS 2021-2026. Also, thanks to the program's efforts, the UN General Assembly adopted a political declaration on HIV/AIDS in 2021, according to which it is necessary to end all inequalities in the disease and eliminate the disease in the world by 2030. In particular, this includes combating punitive laws, reducing prejudice and discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS and most-at-risk populations, gender inequality and violence that can affect a person's right to access care.

UNAIDS is a global leader in HIV data collection, program implementation and funding. The organization publishes a lot of authoritative and up-to-date information about the epidemic. UNAIDS, with the support of the UN General Assembly, works with all countries to collect and analyze data on their AIDS programs. The organization shares the collected information with countries. UNAIDS also provides financial and technical assistance to countries and even individual communities that are trying to develop their own models of combating the spread of the disease.

Thanks to UNAIDS' efforts, 27 countries have received strategies to prevent the spread of the disease. A program to prevent HIV among girls and women was launched in West and Central Africa. Also, 130 countries have introduced oral pre-exposure prophylaxis. 15 countries joined the program on Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission, and 67 countries improved their strategy within the program.

UNAIDS has contributed to the increase in the number of HIV tests worldwide. This has been achieved, in particular, through the expansion of rapid self-testing in 48 countries and the introduction of voluntary testing in the workplace in 12 countries. The organization also ensures that access to testing is not selective. By the end of 2021, 96% of countries are ready to treat all patients without prejudice.

More than 130 countries have been able to circumvent problems with the provision of medical services to HIV patients thanks to the efforts of UNAIDS. The organization also actively helps to distribute the necessary medicines.

UNAIDS has contributed to 90 countries abolishing social and legal barriers that hindered the effective fight against HIV. The organization also participates in the development of laws and partnership agreements that uphold the right to sexual health and protect the rights of sexual minorities.

In 2018, UNAIDS, with the support of other organizations, launched the Global Partnership to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-related Prejudice and Discrimination. As of October 2022, 33 countries have joined the project.

Chilean President Gabriel Boricz Font publicly apologizes for the forced sterilization of women living with HIV.
Photo: UNAIDS

UNAIDS and the Russian-Ukrainian war

In the first months after the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine faced problems with medicines and life-saving drugs. More than 30 medical facilities that provided HIV services stopped working due to destruction or occupation. However, in the first weeks of the war, the UNAIDS Emergency Fund was established, which allowed for the continuation of HIV services and helped to create dozens of shelters for internally displaced persons. The program intensified the efforts of WHO, UNICEF and other organizations to establish the supply of vital medicines for HIV patients to Ukraine and neighboring countries. UNAIDS has started cooperation with many governmental and non-governmental organizations around the world. An important component of such cooperation is the need to raise additional funds to help people living with HIV. UNAIDS has also supported the establishment of psychological support working groups and launched a series of weekly webinars called "Shelters: Psychological Support in a Critical Situation" for social workers and volunteers.

UNAIDS sponsoring organizations are also making their own contribution to addressing HIV-related issues in Ukraine. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime provides humanitarian assistance to people behind bars, ensuring that HIV is not spread among prisoners. The organization also helps those released from prison to restore their documents and provides financial support.

UNICEF specialists provide psychological support online and offline. In occupied Donetsk, pregnant women with HIV were provided with access to medicines. UNICEF is sending HIV diagnostic and testing kits to Ukraine.

The World Food Program sends food to Ukrainians living with HIV. UNAIDS activities are the basis of the global fight against HIV/AIDS. The program is developing a global strategy for 5-10 years. UNAIDS performs an organizational function, creating new projects and helping to fight HIV on the ground. In this struggle, the program ensures coordination not only among sponsoring organizations, but also involves the whole world through the UN General Assembly. UNAIDS fights against social prejudice and harmful laws that prevent people from getting equal access to HIV treatment. The organization also participates in the development of legislation itself. The unique structure of UNAIDS actually guarantees multiplication of efforts in the fight against HIV, as each sponsoring organization also introduces its own initiatives in this area. UNAIDS has set an ambitious goal of ending HIV/AIDS globally by 2030. In the context of COVID-19 and numerous armed conflicts, the timely realization of the goal looks doubtful. This is probably a case where a lofty goal helps maximize efforts for the common good.

Олег Пархітько