This blog is one of the main ways that the NGO Delegates and the CF Team share information about the work of the Delegation and forthcoming PCB meetings. We encourage you to comment and/or ask questions. The posts are listed in order of most recent. Navigate this page by using the search function or the checklist system on the left to narrow down your search by PCB meeting, theme, or any other tag or key word.

    The NGO Delegation Calls on UNAIDS to Include PLHIV Age 50 & Older

    Blog12 May 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    Earlier this year, HelpAge International, Terrence Higgins Trust and AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA) spearheaded the writing of a letter to UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, to highlight their concerns over the omission of data on those aged 50 and older in the 2012 UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic.

    In support of this initiative, the NGO Delegation sent its own letter to Mr. Sidibé and Dr. Luiz Loures, Deputy Executive Director of Programme. The full letter is below.

    32nd PCB Meeting to Focus on UNAIDS’ Budget, Post-2015

    Blog12 May 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    (first posted: 12 May 2013; last updated: 12 May 2013)

    AGENDA (EN | FR)

    Consideration of the report of the thirty first meeting (EN | FR)

    Report of the Executive Director (EN | FR)

    Report by the Chair of the Committee of Cosponsoring Organizations (EN | FR)

    Leadership in the AIDS response (EN | FR)

    AIDS response in the Post-2015 Development Agenda (EN | FR)

    UNAIDS 2012-2015 Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework

    • Performance monitoring (EN | FR)
    • Financial reporting (EN | FR)
    • Budget for 2014-2015 (EN | FR)

    Update on strategic human resources management issues (EN | FR)

    Statement by the representative of the UNAIDS Staff Association (EN | FR)

    Follow-up to the thematic segment from the 31st Programme Coordinating Board meeting (EN | FR)

    Register as an NGO Observer for the Next UNAIDS Board Meeting!

    Blog12 May 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    You can now register for the 32nd Programme Coordinating Board meeting to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 25-27 June 2013.

    Visit the UNAIDS registration page at http://apps.unaids.org/pcb/. The deadline to submit is 10 June 2013.

    Read UNAIDS information for participants (EN | FR).

    Members of civil society can attend the meeting by registering as Observers. This is a great opportunity to experience policy making and to have your voice heard. As an Observer, you may have the chance – at the chair’s discretion and after board members have spoken – to give interventions on the floor during the meeting. If you attend, you will be invited to daily civil society debriefs with the Delegation where you will have a chance to ask questions about the issues discussed each day and give feedback on Delegates’ interventions.

    Read and watch past Observer interventions here.

    Please note: Do NOT register unless you can obtain your own source of funding to attend. UNAIDS and the NGO Delegation are unfortunately not able to fund civil society observers. Observers to the PCB meeting are required to make their own travel arrangements and to cover all of their own expenses, including air fare and their stay in Geneva. Registration does not automatically grant access; all Observers must be approved by the UNAIDS Executive Director and chair of the Board.

    If you require a visa to attend the meeting in Geneva: you MUST request one from UNAIDS as soon as possible; UNAIDS does NOT automatically provide letters of invitation. Contact PCBregistration@unaids.org to obtain the necessary letter.

    The agenda and all relevant agenda documents can be found at this post as they become available.

    The NGO Delegation Welcomes News Delegates

    Blog12 May 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    The UNAIDS PCB NGO Delegation is pleased to welcome its two new NGO Delegates for the Asia-Pacific and Europe regions who will be replacing the representatives for the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition and the European AIDS Treatment Group.

    John Rock has lived with HIV for over thirty years. He knows that he is only alive today because of the availability of good quality treatment. That is why since 2001 he has volunteered his time to fight for treatment access for all PLHIV in all countries. He served as Australian Board member of APN+ and as an advisor. Since 2008, he has been involved in the implementation of an AusAID-funded capacity building program in nine Asia Pacific countries on behalf of APN+. John is an active Global Board Member of ITPC which he sees as critically important in attaining the goal of quality HIV treatment for all.

    Bryan Teixeira has been involved with the HIV NGO field since 1983 and is currently a consultant and active member of EATG. He founded the first HIV support groups in Vancouver and became Chair of the Board of AIDS Vancouver Island, one of the first HIV organizations in the world to be involved with needle exchange work for people living with HIV. He moved to the UK to become the CEO of Naz Project London, the largest and longest established HIV NGO in the UK working predominantly with migrants, where he has run successful HIV prevention projects.

    You can read their full biographies on our Delegates page.

    The NGO Delegation would like to thank the previous representatives, Attapon Ed Ngoksin and Ninoslav Mladenovic, for their hard work and support and wish them the best in their future endeavours.

    NGO Delegate Meets with UN Women at UN Commission on the Status of Women

    Blog26 March 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    UN Women recently joined the UNAIDS family in 2012. Mabel Bianco, NGO Delegate for Latin America and the Caribbean, was one several women’s representatives who recently met with the out-going Dr. Michelle Bachelet in New York ahead of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

    Press release (en español)

    Fundación para Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer (FEIM)

    Dr. Bachelet with Dr. Bianco

    On March 8th, Mabel Bianco and the group of women from Latin America and the Caribbean who attended to the 57th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York met with UN Women Executive Director, Dr. Michelle Bachelet.

    On March 15th Bachelet announced she is leaving UN Women. “Latin American and Caribbean women thanked Dr. Bachelet for hard and fruitful work. We will miss her in UN Women. We wish her all the success in Chile”, said Bianco.

    UNAIDS Publishes Post-2015 E-Discussion Summary

    Blog28 February 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    Press release

    UNAIDS launched a two-week online discussion (e-discussion) to engage the public in a conversation about the future of the HIV response in the post-2015 development agenda.  This e-discussion generated more than 5,500 page views and 200 comments.  The Report is attached for your information and awareness.

    Key Recommendations:

    1. Protect ambitious, disease-specific targets to sustain progress and ensure accountability in the HIV response, and clarify how a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goal would fulfill the promises of each health MDG.

    2. Invest in communities, particularly women, young people and vulnerable groups, so they can design, implement and monitor HIV, health and development programs tailored to their needs.

    3. Repeal punitive laws and change behaviours that stigmatize and discriminate against People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and key populations such as gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers and people who use drugs.

    4. Fulfill the rights of all people, including young people, to have accurate information on HIV, sexual and reproductive health, and human rights.

    5. Persevere to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, through shared responsibility and global solidarity.

    It is evident from this e-discussion that maintaining HIV as a priority within health and the wider development agenda is important to many people around the world.

    UNAIDS and the Moderators of this e-discussion would like to thank all participants for their contributions.  This paper will be submitted to the Global Thematic Consultation on Health, due to take place in Gaborone, Botswana, on 5-6 March 2013. It will also contribute to the Global Thematic Consultation synthesis report to be published on the World We Want 2015 webpage, and other relevant post-2015 forums or consultations.

    Call for nominations for Developed Country NGO Delegation Global Fund Board Member 2013-2015

    Blog28 February 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    The Developed Country NGO Delegation is currently soliciting nominations for the position of Board member (Term of Service: July 2013-2015) representing the Developed Country NGO Delegation on the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

    The position will become available in July 2013 but in order to provide for a transition period the incoming Board member will be invited to join the delegation for the upcoming 29th Global Fund Board meeting (18-19 June) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, including delegation pre-meetings (as from 14 – 17 June).

    Applicants need to work for an NGO from the constituency, comprising Western Europe, USA and Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

    Closing date for applications: Monday 8 April 2013.

    Please find attached the full Terms of Reference.

    Applicants need to prepare and submit an application of 4 pages maximum (only the first 4 pages in the application will be considered). Applicants may also be asked to participate in a telephone interview conducted by the selection committee. Read more about the selection process.

    The candidates should send applications with all required documents to: Beate Ramme-Fülle

    The outcome of the selection process will be announced end of April 2013 through the listserves.

    Participate: Survey on HIV in the Post-2015 Development Agenda

    Blog11 January 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    A survey on HIV in the post-2015 development agenda survey has been initiated by International Civil Society Support (ICSS), the STOP AIDS Alliance (SAA), the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO) and UNAIDS, in collaboration with NSWP, the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF), INPUD, GATE, HYLF, ICW and GNP+. Responses will be summarized and used to inform the development of a joint position of the HIV community for a UN consultation on the theme of health and the post-2015 global goals.

    This survey is anonymous. The survey responses will be compiled and presented by The Fremont Center, an independent consulting group working with International Civil Society Support (ICSS).

    The deadline to participate is January 20th!. The survey can be taken at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ICSS-post-2015-goals-survey. Any questions can be directed to info@thefremontcenter.org.

    Webinars will be provided on background information on the UN processes and how we can influence at global and national levels.

    The webinars will take place on:

    January 9: 8 am NY, 1 pm UK, 8 pm Bangkok

    https://cc.readytalk.com/r/ls8r6hddhkrh

    January 14: 8 am New York, 1 pm UK, 8 pm Bangkok

    https://cc.readytalk.com/r/ljykjdof8syg

    January 15: 8 am NY, 1 pm UK, 8 pm Bangkok

    https://cc.readytalk.com/r/n69keeh9kpuw

    January 16: 8 am NY, 1 pm UK, 8 pm Bangkok

    https://cc.readytalk.com/r/7afhqgere7zy

    You can join the webinar via www.readytalk.com. Log in using: Participant Access Code 3318019.

    You will be able to see the presentation and listen to the audio via this website.

    As an alternative, you may connect via telephone:
    U.S. & Canada Toll-Free: 800 734 8583,
    International Toll Participants: +1 212 231 2908.

    You can dial-in to the toll free number via Skype. If you need an alternative dial-in number or if you have any questions, please contact Raoul Fransen: rf@icssupport.org.

    From the press release:

    “A large number of policy makers, civil society leaders, and health networks are already discussing what an appropriate post-2015 health goal (or goals) should be. Under those goals, there will also be a need to set specific targets and indicators to measure progress towards the goals. While the MDGs included a specific goal addressing HIV, it is unlikely that the next set of goals will include something specific to HIV. Many experts believe that the UN member states will set only one overarching post-2015 health goal, but that there will be ways to set a global goal on health that, alongside other goals on poverty, education, gender equality, and the environment, will provide new opportunities to coalesce unified commitment and action for progress in the fight to end the HIV epidemic.

    We need to ensure that these discussions include the perspectives of all people working to end the HIV epidemic, including people living with HIV and other key affected populations (men who have sex with men, people who use drugs, sex workers and transgender people).

    This survey has been launched to gather your ideas and recommendations. What post-2015 global health goals will help accelerate the end of HIV and AIDS? What specific targets and indicators are essential to track in the HIV response?”

    Report Back: 31st UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board Meeting

    Blog8 January 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    Delegates at 31st PCB

    Download the communique in Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Portuguese | Russian | Spanish

    What happened?

    The 31st board meeting agenda covered themes of civil society participation, investment in the HIV response and the issues of gender and non-discrimination. Discussions on the post-2015 agenda were also prominent with UNAIDS committing to engage further in the global conversation.

    28th Global Fund Board Meeting: Communities Delegation Communiqué

    Blog7 January 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    The 28th Global Fund Board Meeting, held from 14th to 15th November 2012, was called for to approve the New Funding Model (NFM), as well as to select a new Executive Director (ED) of the Global Fund. Other agenda items for discussion and decision1 for the Board included forecasting resources for the future, update on Affordable Medicine Facility – malaria (AMFm), modification to the policy on ethics and conflicts of interest for Global Fund institutions, and the role of oversight of annual financial audits of the Global Fund. The communiqué focuses on key issues of concern to communities.

    Download the communiqué (includes translations in French, Russian and Spanish).

    What We Need To Know: Contributing to the Development of the Global Fund’s New Funding Model

    Blog3 January 2013 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    From the Civil Society Action Team. Posted 29 Oct, updated 3 Jan.

    Issues Briefing Number 1 : Country Bands

    The Global Fund Board, at its 27th Board Meeting, approved a decision point that encompassed broad elements of a New Funding Model (NFM) that would be further discussed by the Strategy, Impact and Investment Committee (SIIC) at its 5th Meeting at the end of October 2012 so that a recommendation would be presented for endorsement by the Board at its 28th Board Meeting on 14th and 15th November 2012. This brief summarizes key issues of particular concern for civil society organizations from the draft SIIC paper  that will be discussed at the upcoming SIIC meeting and specifically address Country Bands.

    This briefing is offered in English, French, Russian and Spanish and they are also available from www.csathubs.org

    Issues Briefing Number 2 : Funding allocation to each Country Band, Splitting Core and Incentive Funding, and Piloting of the New Funding Model (NFM)

    This brief summarizes key issues of particular concern for civil society organizations from the draft   Strategy, Impact and Investment Committee (SIIC) paper that was discussed at the Global Fund’s 5th SIIC Meeting from 24 – 26 October. The content of this brief draws on internal documents from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria as well as the Aidspan summary of discussions on the new funding model.

    This briefing is offered in English, French, Russian and Spanish and they are also available from www.csathubs.org

    Issues Briefing Number 3: Decision Point of New Funding Model (NFM) for 28th Global Fund Board Meeting

    This third brief summarizes key issues of the New Funding Model paper (GF/B28/02) to be presented to the 28th Global Fund Board Meeting as an outcome of the 5th SIIC Meeting. This document is based on the decision point (GF/B27/DP7) from the 27th Board Meeting, as well as informed by consultations after the 27th Board Meeting.

    The paper focuses on five areas of the NFM: the length of the allocation period and of grants, country bands and principles for allocation, the access to funding process, determining recommended funding amounts, and piloting the NFM. It provides recommendations from the SIIC for the decision point to be endorsed by the Global Fund Board at the 28th Global Fund Board Meeting.

    This briefing is offered in English, French, Russian and Spanish and they are also available from www.csathubs.org

    Issues Briefing Number 4: Outcomes of the 28th Board Meeting

    This fourth brief summarizes key issues from the decisions taken at the 28th Global Fund Board Meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland on the 14th and 15th November 2012.

    This briefing is offered in English, French, Russian and Spanish and they are also available from www.csathubs.org

    Participate in Online Civil Society Consultation on Global Health in Post-2015 Development Agenda

    Blog19 December 2012 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    Read about the consultation on health, other opportunities for consultation and where HIV will be in the post-2015 agenda

    Press release

    Following the establishment of the High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda, national governments, global agencies and civil society organizations have accelerated advocacy efforts to promote the inclusion of key actions in the agenda going forward.  The UN has clearly identified themes and opportunities for engagement with a broad range of stakeholders in the fast paced, rapidly evolving and deeply engaging process.  The Health thematic consultation is facilitated by the Governments of Botswana and Sweden, with WHO and UNICEF providing the technical oversight and support for this process.

    The Health thematic group has proposed a broad-based consultation process inviting participation from a wide range of stakeholders including civil society.  This online consultation is hosted by the Centre for Health Sciences Training, Research and Development (CHESTRAD) as a part of its learning, sharing and collaborative network, Global Health South, an informal alliance of southern CS engaged in global health in collaboration with Campaign 2015+ and the Civil Society Call to Action on Universal Health Coverage.  This survey draws from the following 5 key questions for the Health thematic consultations on the post-2015 development agenda, building upon discussions at the Accra 2012 Dialogue:

    1.    What are the lessons learnt from the health related MDGs?
    2.    What is the priority health agenda for the 15 years after 2015?
    3.    How does health fit in the post-2015 development agenda? What are the best indicators and targets for health?
    4.    How can country ownership, commitment, capacity and accountability for the goals, targets and indicators be enhanced?

    We invite the participation of civil society and other non-state actors, especially those in the global economic south as it directly affects our work, nations, communities and families.  Completing this questionnaire will require 25-30 minutes of your time.  We ask that you please spare this time to ensure that your contribution and suggestions are taken forward in the post-2015 health and related development agenda.This online consultation will close on the 21st of December 2012:

    The online survey is available in 5 languages: Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.  Please find the link to each language of the survey below and use as might be appropriate.

    To complete this survey online, please visit

    http://www.chestrad-ngo.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=186

    31st PCB Meeting to Focus on Themes of Civil Society Participation & Non-Discrimination, Issues of Gender & Investment

    Blog17 December 2012 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    At the 30th UNAIDS PCB – Photo: UNAIDS/C.Rousset


    First posted: 1 Oct 2012; Last updated: 17 Dec 2012

    Full report of the Executive Director (EN | FR)

    Final decisions (EN | FR)

    Draft decisions (EN | FR)

    Agenda (EN | FR)

    Information note for participants (EN | FR)

    Related Bureau meeting documents (Sep 13 | Oct 25)

    • Consideration of the report of the thirtieth meeting (EN | FR)
    • Combination Prevention: Follow-up to the thematic segment from the 30th Programme Coordinating Board meeting (EN | FR)
    • Strategic investment (EN | FR)
      • Conference Room Paper 1: Country Case Study: Royal Government of Cambodia (EN | FR)
      • Conference Room Paper 2: Country Case Study: South Africa (EN | FR)
    • Gender-sensitivity of AIDS responses (EN| FR)
      • Conference Room Paper 4: UNAIDS Agenda for Accelerated Country Action for Women, Girls, Gender, Equality and HIV (EN | FR)
    • Review of NGO/Civil Society participation in the PCB
      • Conference room paper (EN | FR)
      • Recommendations (EN | FR)
    • Monitoring and Evaluation Reference Group (MERG) (EN | FR)
    • Thematic Segment: Non-Discrimination
      • Agenda (EN | FR)
      • Background document (EN | FR)
      • PCB submissions on Non-Discrimination (EN | FR)
    • Next Programme Coordinating Board meetings (EN | FR)
    • Election of Officers (EN | FR)

    Interventions on Non-Discrimination

    Blog14 December 2012 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    The full-day thematic on non-discrimination offered examples from governments, institutions and civil society of best practices to counter and decrease HIV discrimination. Below is a list of civil society observer interventions which provided the most powerful examples to the Board.

    The full-day thematic on non-discrimination offered examples from governments, institutions and civil society of best practices to counter and decrease HIV discrimination. Below is a list of civil society observer interventions which provided the most powerful examples to the Board.


    UNAIDS 31st Board Meeting: Day 3

    Blog14 December 2012 by Amy Coulterman[PDF][print]

    Today, we heard during the full day thematic numerous examples of country- and NGO-led programmes that have tried to positively combat HIV stigma and discrimination.

    Today, we heard during the full day thematic numerous examples of country- and NGO-led programmes that have tried to positively combat HIV stigma and discrimination.


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    Representing Civil Society on the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board