UNAIDS REPORT: TOGETHER WE WILL END AIDS

Entitled Together we will end AIDS, the new UNAIDS report contains the latest data on numbers of new HIV infections, numbers of people receiving antiretroviral treatment, AIDS-related deaths and HIV among children. It highlights new scientific opportunities and social progress which are bringing the world closer to UNAIDS vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.

The report also gives an overview of international and domestic HIV investments and the need for greater value for money and sustainability.

Calling for global solidarity and shared responsibility, the UNAIDS report contains commentaries from global and community leaders as well as people living with and affected by HIV. (July 2012)

http://www.unaids.org

Washington, DC/ Geneva, 18 July 2012 — A new report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) shows that domestic funding for HIV has exceeded international investments. The report, Together we will end AIDS, states that low- and middle- income countries invested US$ 8.6 billion for the response in 2011, an increase of 11% over 2010. International funding however remained flat at 2008 levels (US$ 8.2 billion).

According to the report, 81 countries increased their domestic investments for AIDS by more than 50% between 2006 and 2011. As economies in low- and middle-income countries grow, domestic public investments for AIDS have also grown. Domestic public spending in sub-Saharan Africa for example, (not including South Africa) increased by 97% over the last five years. South Africa already spends more than 80% from domestic sources and has quadrupled its domestic investments between 2006 and 2011.

“This is an era of global solidarity and mutual accountability,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Countries most affected by the epidemic are taking ownership and demonstrating leadership in responding to HIV. However, it is not enough for international assistance to remain stable¬¬—it has to increase if we are to meet the 2015 goals.”

To further expand country ownership and support mutual accountability, the African Union launched a Roadmap for shared responsibility and global solidarity for AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in Africa ahead of the XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington, DC. It charts a course for more diversified, balanced and sustainable financing for the AIDS response by 2015 and demonstrates Africa’s new leadership and voice in the global AIDS architecture.

BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) increased domestic public spending on HIV by more than 120% between 2006 and 2011. BRICS countries now fund, on average, more than 75% of their domestic AIDS responses. Domestic sources already account for more than 80% of resources spent on AIDS in South Africa and China—and the Chinese government has pledged to fully fund its response in the coming years. India, too, has committed to increase domestic funding to more than 90% in its next phase of the AIDS response. Brazil and Russia already fully fund their AIDS response with domestic resources. HIV funding from the international community, on the other hand, has largely been stable between 2008 and 2011, at US$ 8.2 billion. Funding from the United States of America accounts for nearly 48% of all international assistance for AIDS.

“It is clear that this is no time for the world to slow down our efforts on global AIDS—rather, we must seize the moment to build on the progress we’ve made and achieve an AIDS-free generation,” said Ambassador Eric Goosby, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator. “The United States has made it clear that we will continue to do our part in meeting our shared responsibility by making smart investments that stretch each dollar as far as possible to save lives.”

While domestic investments in AIDS are increasing, there is still a large shortfall in global funding for HIV. By 2015, the estimated annual gap will be US$ 7 billion. At the 2011 United Nations High Level Meeting on AIDS, countries adopted a Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS in which they agreed to increase investments for HIV to between US$ 22-24 billion by 2015. A concerted effort by all countries is needed to scale up funding if this target is to be met.

Record numbers of people on treatment – lives saved

Although total resources for AIDS have not significantly increased, record numbers of people are accessing antiretroviral therapy. In 2011, eight million people had access to life-saving treatment in low- and middle-income countries—an increase of 1.4 million over 2010. Despite the substantial numbers of people newly starting treatment, it is only just over half (54%) of the 14.8 million people eligible.

The report also outlines the significant progress that has been made in reducing new HIV infections in children. Since 2009, new infections in children have fallen by an estimated 24%. Some 330 000 children were newly infected in 2011, almost half than at the peak of the epidemic in 2003 (570 000).

In both expanding access to antiretroviral therapy and stopping new HIV infections in children, this progress suggests that countries are on track to achieving the targets set out in the 2011 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS: to eliminate new HIV infections in children and reach 15 million people with antiretroviral therapy.

“HIV prevention and treatment is needed for all, now and always,” said Mr Sidibé. “I believe that together we will end AIDS. The question is not if but when.”

Rights-based approaches to HIV

The AIDS conference is being held in the United States for the first time in over 20 years––and just two years after the host country lifted travel restrictions for people living with HIV. Data in the report shows that 46 countries, territories and areas, however, still restrict the ability of people living with HIV to enter, stay or reside in them.

Rights-based approaches, which advance gender equality and empower communities, are widely recognized in the report as essential to all components of the AIDS response. The report also underlines the important advantage of community-based responses in delivering HIV services.

“We can see strong leadership and participation of civil society and key populations in the AIDS response in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, but we still have a rapidly growing epidemic in the region,” said Svitlana Moroz of the All-Ukrainian Network of People Living with HIV. “Punitive policies towards sex workers, people who use drugs and men who have sex with men, combined with the criminalization of HIV transmission, are all factors fuelling the epidemic. We need to develop and sustain programmes of integrated treatment for HIV, tuberculosis, drug addiction and viral hepatitis and to find an appropriate balance between HIV treatment and prevention.”

The report outlines that sustaining the AIDS response will require strong country ownership and global solidarity. It also emphasises the need for investments to be sustainable and predictable and that countries must be able to mobilize and use resources effectively and efficiently.

“Every dollar spent on AIDS is an investment, not an expenditure,” said Mr Sidibé. “We need to focus not only on achieving the 2015 targets but we need to look beyond and keep our sights set firmly on realizing our vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths.”

http://www.unaids.org

Wir stehen an einem einzigartigen Zeitpunkt in der Geschichte der AIDS-Epidemie. Drei Jahrzehnte von hartnäckiger Überzeugungsarbeit in der Gemeinschaft, von Forschung und Dienstleistung haben die Welt and den Rand eines Szenarios gebracht, das noch vor wenigen Jahren undenkbar gewesen wäre: die Möglichkeit damit zu beginnen, die AIDS-Epidemie noch zu unserer Lebzeit zu beenden. Die Verluste waren unberechenbar; die Gewinne außergewöhnlich. Doch jetzt, durch neue wissenschaftliche Fortschritte und gesellschaftliche, politische und menschenrechtliche Gewinne haben wir entdeckt, dass es möglich ist, ein Paket an bewährten Strategien zusammenzustellen und zu liefern, die, wenn sie als Maßstab genommen warden, das Blatt bei AIDS wenden können.

Wir brauchen noch immer ein Heilmittel und einen Impfstoff. Aber wir müssen unsere Ressourcen und Anstrengungen erhöhen, indem wir die Mittel zu verwenden di wir heute haben, um Neuinfektionen drastisch einzudämmen und die Gesundheit von Millionen von Menschen mit HIV/AIDS zu verbessern. Millionen Menschenleben werden gerettet.

Das Blatt gegen HIV/AIDS zu wenden wird eine aufeinander abgestimmte Führung auf allen Ebenen der Regierung, des Gesundheitswesens, der Wissenschaft und der nichtstattlichen Organisationen benötigen. Wir müssen uns um multidisziplinäre Ansätze bemühen, die die Menschenrechte und die Würde aller von der Epidemie Betroffenen respektiert und aufrechterhalten.. Das Ziel, mit dem Ende der AIDS-Epidemie zu beginnen ist ehrgeizig, aber erreichbar. Es ist in unserer Reichweite.

Um das Blatt gemeinsam zu wenden, müssen wir:

1. Steigerung gezielter neuer Investitionen. Wir können Leben retten, Infektionen verhindern und das globale Preisschild der Epidemie mit einer sofortigen, strategischen Steigerung in Investitionen verringern. Größere Fortschritte benötigen angemessene Finanzierungszusagen von globalen und lokalen Spendern, einschließlich der weltweiten nationalen Regierungen.
2. Sicherstellung evidenzbasierter HIV-Prävention, Behandlung und Pflege im Einklang mit den Menschenrechten derjenigen, deren Risiken am höchsten und deren Bedürfnisse am dringendsten sind. Dazu gehören Homosexuelle, Transsexuelle, Drogenabhängige, gefährdete Frauen, Jugendliche, schwangere Frauen, die mit HIV leben und Prostituierte ebenso, wie andere betroffene Personen der Bevölkerung. Niemand kann ausgeschlossen werden, wenn wir unser Ziel erreichen wollen.
3. Das Beenden von Stigmata, Diskriminierung, rechtlichen Sanktionen und Menschenrechtsverletzungen gegen Menschen, die mit HIV leben und den Gefährdeten. Stigmata und Diskriminierung behindern alle unsere Bemühungen und verhindern die Bereitstellung wesentlicher Dienstleistungen.
4. Deutlich mehr HIV-Tests, Beratung und Verbindungen zu Prävention, Betreuung und unterstützenden Diensten. Jeder Mensch hat ein Recht darauf, ihren/seinen HIV-Status zu kennen und die Behandlung, Pflege und Unterstützung zu erhalten, die er/sie benötigen.
5. Erweiterter Zugang zu antiretroviraler Behandlung für alle Bedürftigen. Wir können AIDS nicht beenden, bis das Versprechen des universellen Zugangs realisiert wird.
6. TB erkennen, diagnostizieren und behandeln. Umsetzung von TB Präventionsprogrammen durch integrierte HIV und TB Dienstleistungen. Nicht mehr mit HIV leben, aber an TB sterben.
7. Beschleunigte Erforschung von neuen HIV-Präventions- und Behandlungsmethoden, einschließlich neuer Ansätze wie Pre-Expositions-Prophylaxe (PrEP) und Mikrobiziden und eine optimale Bereitstellung von dem wir wissen, dass es funktioniert, von Kondomen bis zur Behandlung als Prävention. Erweiterte Forschung nach einem Impfstoff und einer Heilung. Forschung ist wichtig, um uns aus der Epidemie zu führen.
8. Mobilisierung und sinnvolle Einbeziehung der betroffenen Gemeinden muss das Herzstück der gemeinsamen Reaktionen sein. Die Führung der direkt Betroffenen ist ausschlaggebend für eine effektive HIV/AIDS-Reaktion.

Die vor uns liegenden Herausforderungen sind groß, doch die Kosten des Scheiterns werden größer sein. Wir rufen alle besorgten Bürger der globalen Gemeinschaft auf, im Geiste der Solidarität und der gemeinsamen Handlung und mit dem vollsten Engagement der Gemeinschaft von Personen die mit HIV leben die erneute Dringlichkeit zu versuchen den weltweiten Kampf gegen AIDS zu erweitern. Wir müssen beginnen mit dem zu handeln, was wir wissen. Wir müssen mit dem Ende von AIDS beginnen – Gemeinsam.

Bitte unterschreiben Sie die Erklärung:

http://www.2endaids.org

The International AIDS Society (IAS), custodian of the International AIDS Conference, and the Kaiser Family Foundation will provide free, worldwide online access to the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) taking place in Washington, D.C., USA.

AIDS 2012 will feature presentations of important new scientific research and opportunities for dialogue on the major challenges facing the global response to AIDS. Kaiser

an independent operating foundation and non-partisan source of facts, information, analysis and journalism, based in Menlo Park, Calif., USA -- is the official webcaster for AIDS 2012, providing coverage of daily developments from July 22 to 27 on its website, http://www.kff.org

In addition to more than 50 online webcasts of conference sessions and press conferences, podcasts will be available for downloading in both English and Spanish. Some sessions, including the Opening and Closing Sessions, will be presented via live webcast, while other coverage will be tape-delayed by a few hours and available on-demand. The webcasts will include sessions featuring President Bill Clinton, South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby, Bill Gates and Sir Elton John, among others. The full list of webcast sessions (subject to change) is available at http://aids2012.org

Kaiser’s Daily Global Health Policy Report, a free, daily news summary service, will be enhanced during the week of the conference to include summaries of what the global media are reporting from the conference and a guide to the latest video session coverage.

A widget for sharing Kaiser’s content is available for organizations and individuals who want to further spread the information by carrying the coverage on their own websites, blogs or social networking pages. Kaiser’s video content from the conference will also be available to embed on other sites.

“The webcasts are a key part of the IAS’s commitment to ensure that the proceedings at AIDS 2012 have the greatest possible impact in the global response to HIV,” said Elly Katabira, IAS President and International Chair of AIDS 2012. “We are grateful to Kaiser for their partnership with us to take key portions of the conference program directly to locations and communities most deeply impacted by the epidemic.”

“Offering free access to many of the conference’s sessions allows us to connect people around the world to important HIV/AIDS developments that emerge from this conference,” said Drew Altman, Kaiser President and CEO. “This free, online conference experience ensures key findings and information reach a worldwide audience, including those who might otherwise have no access to the discussions taking place in Washington.”

http://globalhealth.kff.org

NAM will provide the official online scientific news coverage at AIDS 2012 through their website aidsmap.com. Each day NAM’s reporters will be covering the key scientific presentations at the conference, publishing news stories to communicate the evidence of what works, what doesn’t, and the views of the world’s leading researchers, activists and policy makers on where the HIV field is going next. They will also be tweeting if excited. You can start following them on Twitter by visiting our conference web page.

Each day during the conference delegates and subscribers around the world will receive a bulletin summarising the key news of the previous day, with links to all our news reports. The bulletin helps conference delegates catch the key points of major scientific studies presented the previous day, with an emphasis on the data that is likely to have the biggest impact on practice and policy.

If you want to receive this bulletin in French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese or Russian, please go to our conference web page to sign up, and do let your colleagues know that this daily bulletin will be available too.

You can also keep up with our conference news – and our regular news service – by downloading our i-Phone app.

This year’s conference will be the biggest yet, and after several years of exciting scientific developments, AIDS 2012 will challenge us all to ask how we can turn the tide of the epidemic using all the new tools and knowledge now at our disposal. NAM’s coverage will focus on five big themes, incorporating research findings reported across all tracks of the conference:

• Making the prevention revolution real • Expanding testing and treatment • Turning the tide for key populations: women, children, men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs • Turning the tide on TB • How can we cure HIV infection?

You can read background articles on these key themes at aidsmap.com before the conference starts; visit http://www.aidsmap.com

NAM will also be blogging from the conference, capturing some of the informal conversations of the conference that contribute to the atmosphere of the major event in the calendar of the AIDS response.

What is NAM? NAM is a community-based, non-profit organisation based in the UK that has been supporting people living and working with HIV by providing accurate, impartial, and up-to-date information about HIV and AIDS since 1988. We believe that, wherever you are in the world, accessing accurate information is vital in the global management of HIV.

http://blog.aids2012.org

Washington DC | High level speakers announced for XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012): U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Former U.S. First Lady Laura Bush, South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, U.S. Senators John Kerry and Lindsey Graham, U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi , U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé and The Earth Institute Director Jeffrey Sachs confirmed to address the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) in Washington, D.C.. Some 25,000 Scientists, People Living with HIV, and other stakeholders expected to attend AIDS 2012

AIDS 2012 will bring together leading scientists, public health experts, policy-makers and the HIV-affected community to translate recent momentous scientific advances into action that will address means to end the epidemic, within the current context of significant global economic challenges. The Conference will have a positive impact on the HIV and AIDS response globally, and in the United States and Washington, DC, in particular.

The conference theme, “Turning the Tide Together”, reflects a unique moment in time, emphasizing that the HIV epidemic has reached a defining moment. By acting decisively on recent scientific advances in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention, the momentum for a cure, and the continuing evidence of the ability to scale-up key interventions in the most-needed settings, we now have the potential to end the HIV epidemic.

Capturing the current sense of hope and the renewed optimism that a change of course in the epidemic is possible, “Turning the Tide Together” also serves as an urgent call to action. It acknowledges that seizing this potential and actually turning the tide on HIV and AIDS will require commitment and action on many levels: that each and every stakeholder in the HIV and AIDS response must play their role.

“Turning the Tide Together” evokes both the scale of the task in hand and the power of AIDS 2012 to mobilize governments, NGOs, policy makers, scientists, civil society organizations, journalists and people living with HIV to join forces and build the necessary momentum to turn the tide on HIV and AIDS.

Washington DC, 22-27 July 2012

http://www.aids2012.org