Civil society and the NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board are celebrating the adoption of a crucial resolution on human rights in the context of HIV and AIDS at the 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The continuous underfunding of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has now trickled down to the Joint Programme’s governance. It is threatening the meaningful involvement of civil society in shaping the Joint Programme. The NGO Delegation reveals that multiple unsuccessful attempts have been made to engage UNAIDS and its funding Member States regarding the financial shortages.
In 2019, San Patten was presented with an opportunity to co-run an independent external Expert Advisory Committee on Evaluation for UNAIDS. The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board had approved the establishment of an independent evaluation function reporting directly to the UNAIDS Board. The function would comprise evaluation experts appointed by Member States, civil society, and UNAIDS Sponsors. Patten was nominated by the NGO Delegation to represent civil society in the committee. This seemed like a natural progression of Patten’s career, as she had been working in the field of HIV/AIDS for more than two decades at that point.
With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of John Rock, a distinguished member of the NGO Delegation of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) between 2013 and 2014. John’s dedication and passion for international development, particularly in the field of HIV/AIDS, left an indelible mark on countless lives and communities.
The 54th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) thematic segment focuses on “Sustaining the gains of the global HIV response to 2030 and beyond” and will take place on 27 June 2024. The thematic segment will highlight examples of learning from countries in different regions across the Joint Programme. UNAIDS seeks case studies of successful programs and approaches to inform the session.
The NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS PCB is calling for nominations for Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) members. The CSAG supports the delegation’s working group in bringing forward pressing issues from a civil society perspective during the development of the thematic segment of the 54th PCB meeting. The topic of the upcoming thematic segment is: « Sustaining the gains of the global HIV response to 2030 and beyond. »
The NGO Delegation warmly welcomes Shamin Mohamed Jr., the representative for LetsStopAIDS, and Fionnuala Murphy, Head of Global Advocacy at Frontline AIDS, as the two incoming delegates for Europe and North America, respectively.
This meticulously crafted report embodies a collective effort and unwavering dedication toward addressing the challenges faced by individuals living with HIV amidst humanitarian crises. The findings, insights, and recommendations contained within this document reflect a deep understanding of the multifaceted issues faced by this vulnerable community.
In a significant stride towards eradicating HIV-related stigma and discrimination, the Global Partnership for Action to Eliminate All Forms of HIV-Related Stigma and Discrimination, co-convened by the NGO Delegation, has unveiled a new tool designed to empower communities in the monitoring and evaluation of stigma reduction efforts.
The NGO Delegation appreciates MOPAN’s diligent efforts in compiling this assessment, acknowledging the substantial work and careful consideration invested in its creation. The assessment thoughtfully addresses many critical issues, notably the concerns and grievances surrounding the Secretariat’s current performance, financial resilience, and relationship with co-sponsors. Most significantly, this assessment offers valuable insights into the perspectives of various stakeholders on UNAIDS, facilitating a constructive path forward, upholding its existence beyond 2030, and sustaining its core mandate now and in the future.