54^th

UNAIDS PCB Meeting

Thank you, Chair.

On behalf of the NGO Delegation, I extend our gratitude for the Executive Director’s report. We appreciate the exceptional work of the UNAIDS Secretariat and the progress made in the Joint Programme. However,  the alarming realities presented in this report demand our urgent action.

We are nowhere near to achieving our goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat.  We still have 1.3 million new HIV infections to reduce, 9.2 million people living with HIV who should be on treatment, and a 90% funding gap to close to reach the communities most at risk – Adolescent Girls and Young Women and the Key and priority populations, which include gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people and people who inject drugs.

YET, many Member States are not learning from our AIDS history; they are not following the data, hence the people who should be first in line for HIV services are instead most left behind. I don’t need to explain why this is unsustainable.  The statistics don’t just represent data points – they are people’s lives. 

Sustainability is more than an abstract concept; it is a route to achieving the end of AIDS, but it comes with risks. We need a robust, integrated approach that actively considers the critical importance of sustaining and scaling up services for key and vulnerable populations and young people and that increases funding for community-led responses.  

As the NGO delegation, our sustainability agenda prioritizes human rights and an end to the criminalization of people living with and affected by HIV. It emphasizes the need for a fully funded global response supported by donor, domestic, and private sector financing, including community funding. While we recognize the development of sustainability roadmaps as positive, these will be ineffective without the engagement of communities as equal partners in defining the way forward and contributing to implementation and accountability, alongside unwavering commitment and action from Member States.

Similarly, while we welcome the proposal for a High-Level Panel, its success will again depend on the central involvement of people living with HIV and the communities most affected.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

I speak on behalf of the NGO Delegation.

Firstly, the NGO Delegation commends the Co-Sponsors for their critical contributions to the HIV response and their commitment to integrating HIV with broader health and social issues, particularly in light of reduced HIV-specific funding. 

The report rightly points out the need for agile responses to HIV’s evolving landscape, especially given the increasing complexities posed by political, social, scientific, and environmental factors. While a multi-sectoral approach is crucial, this integration must maintain the focus on HIV-specific challenges. We agree to revisit the Joint Programme’s operating model and welcome the new high-level panel. Still, civil society voices must be included to build on lessons learned.

Fragile progress has been made, with significant declines in AIDS-related deaths. While commendable achievements, the slowing pace of progress,  the continued high levels of new HIV infections and the widening HIV funding gap in low and middle-income countries pose a significant threat to achieving our shared goals. 

We must address the social and structural determinants that exacerbate vulnerability to HIV and hinder equal access to HIV services, especially in the context of displacement, conflict, and economic instability, ensuring that financial resources are mobilized, allocated, and used efficiently and equitably. Recognizing the need to protect human rights, assuring community leadership, and promoting gender equality is a step in the right direction, but translating these commitments into actionable policies remains a pending challenge.

The NGO Delegation is particularly concerned about the diminishing capacity within the Joint Programme and its potential impact on our ability to respond effectively to the HIV crisis. The ongoing reduction in dedicated human resources at the Secretariat and among Co-Sponsors threatens to undermine everything we worked so hard for. We urge Member States to take ownership of the progress or lack thereof in the HIV response while calling on UNAIDS to redefine its role within the evolving global landscape to better support and complement efforts in each country.

In conclusion, while we celebrate the progress made, the challenges ahead require us to remain vigilant and committed. The Joint Programme’s unique multi-sectoral model is a strength that must be leveraged effectively. We stress the need for continued financial and political support to bridge the gaps identified. Together, we can adapt, evolve, and succeed in ending AIDS as a public health threat and building a sustainable, equitable future for all.

Thank you, Chair.

On behalf of the NGO Delegation, I sincerely thank Ms. Precious Matsoso for her compelling address and tireless efforts toward effective and equitable pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.

We are deeply concerned that the Pandemic Accord negotiations have not leveraged vital lessons from the AIDS pandemic on human rights and equitable access to health technologies.  It is also unacceptable that a document set to define the future of pandemic response does not acknowledge the essential contribution that community-led organizations have made towards the responses to HIV, TB, Malaria, and many others.  Again I give heartfelt thanks to the speaker for her words on the role of communities in ensuring sustainability.

It should be equally concerning for this PCB, focussed on the sustainability of the HIV response, that the draft Pandemic Accord does not include a commitment to continue work towards ending AIDS, a pandemic still killing 630,000 people each year.  It does not recognize people living with HIV as disproportionately affected by pandemics or note the vulnerabilities facing key populations.  How did this happen, when so many PCB members had a strong voice in the INB discussions? 

The NGO delegation urges PCB members to work together for an Accord that builds on and strengthens our work to end AIDS – rather than one that distracts from and ignores our goal.  

Similarly, we ask PCB members to collaborate to ensure the goal of ending AIDS is reflected in the Pact for the Future.  We see UNAIDS as essential in convening voices for the AIDS response and would welcome the strongest leadership from UNAIDS to maximize our shared impact around these processes.

In conclusion, we remind PCB members that we must learn from the AIDS response not only to fight future pandemics but to achieve our targets now.  Data tell us that key populations represent over half of all new infections, rising to 80% outside Africa, and global prevention targets have been severely missed.  Opposition groups are pushing for a rollback on the rights of key populations and creating panic around prevention essentials like comprehensive sexuality education, condoms for young people, and PrEP.  We urge PCB members to resist and call for a well-resourced, proactive Joint Programme effort that supports countries to face down anti-rights mobilisation. 

Finally, it’s imperative that the bulk of funding for responding to HIV and other pandemics be directed toward community-led organizations, recognizing their unparalleled understanding of the challenges faced by their communities and their leadership in sustainable and transformative change.

Thank you

Thank you, Chair.

I speak on behalf of the NGO Delegation,  

My name is Myles John Mwansa. I am an African man living openly with HIV in Zambia.  I was diagnosed with HIV in 2008 at the age of 11 years. Before my diagnosis, my parents perceived my constant illness as witchcraft, and in most scenarios, they resorted to traditional medicine to treat my AIDS symptoms. I was once bedridden for eight months – my parents gave up, and my relatives prepared for my funeral as they waited hopelessly for my death.  One fateful day, a friend of my mum came to visit us; she urged my mum to take me for an HIV test.  That test saved my life!!

I share this story because I believe we can all change the status quo – if we take a bold step and do the right things, starting with owning and holding ourselves accountable for our commitments. 

In 2021, Member States committed to prioritizing HIV prevention and reducing new HIV infections to fewer than 370,000 people per year by 2025. It is 2024, and we are not even a quarter way to realize this commitment.  14% of 39 million people living with HIV do not know their HIV status, and 1.3 million new HIV infections are alarming and a disgrace.

We believe that HIV testing and treatment are the primary gateway for HIV epidemic control. We must step up our actions to:

• Make HIV testing and prevention options available, affordable, and accessible for all communities, including Adolescent Girls and Young Women, Men & Boys, and Priority and Key populations. 
• Invest in strengthening data collection and management systems to ensure timely and accurate data. This will facilitate better monitoring and evaluation of testing programs and help make data-driven decisions.
• Address stigma and discrimination that limits marginalized individuals from accessing HIV testing and treatment services; HIV/Sex work and LGBTIQ+ criminalization, including laws/policies that police young people/young women’s access to Sexual and Reproductive Health services.
• Strengthen partnerships and share responsibility for all in the joint program. Communities must be at the driving seat in accelerating HIV testing programs and getting people into testing; however, communities can only do so if governments recognize our relevance and make the environment supportive for us to lead and thrive. 

Thank you, Chair.

I speak on behalf of the NGO Delegation. I am addressing you in a 3-year-old blazer I bought for my first PCB meeting and have been wearing since. It is an excellent example of what sustainability means.

On a more serious note, today is June 26 – World Drug Day and International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. These dates are, sadly, inextricably linked to each other. People who use drugs are tortured all over the world – physically, psychologically, and emotionally – by not having access to life-saving services such as opioid agonist therapy, needle and syringe programs, and antiretroviral treatment, among others. It is not drugs that people abuse – it is harmful laws and policies that abuse people who use drugs.

On this date, I remember having to share syringes due to a lack of clean injecting equipment that put me at risk of HIV infection and led me to acquire both Hepatitis B and C viruses. I remember the paralyzing fear of meeting police officers and getting sent to prison again. And I remember attending the funeral of my friend, who could have been saved if we had access to Naloxone – an overdose reversal medication. 

On this date, we commend UNAIDS for promoting harm reduction. The progress made is reflected in the UBRAF reports. However, as the latest Harm Reduction International data shows, funding for these essential services in low and middle-income countries is just 6% of the 2.7 billion dollars needed annually by 2025 for an effective response. Harm reduction has a 94% funding shortfall, while there is a funding gap of 29% for the overall HIV response. Countries, including some Member States on this Board, spend over 600 times more on punitive policies than harm reduction. How sustainable is this?

On this day, the “Support. Don’t Punish” campaign is endorsed by the communities of people who use drugs globally. Other key and priority populations, including sex workers, gay men and other men who have sex with men, and transgender people who are criminalized and persecuted for being who they are, are also entitled to be supported and not punished.

On this day, I would like to ask you to give us, the diverse and beautiful communities,  a round of applause.

Thank you!

Thank you, Chair.

I speak on behalf of the NGO Delegation, 

Today, we are faced with a complex reality. The Joint program does not have all the resources it needs to continue to deliver on its mandate. This, without question, threatens the quality of the interventions we are able to provide and reduces the depth of our programming. Among the Key problems here is that we are also unable to sustain the gains we’ve made over several years.

We cannot give the impression that this funding reality is acceptable or that we are resigned to it. Instead, we must demonstrate resilience and take a proactive stance by effectively leveraging our strengths and communicating our needs and successes as we seek to turn this challenge into an opportunity for growth and innovation.

Balance is crucial. We must carefully allocate resources, ensuring every program is optimized for efficiency & maximum impact. This involves prioritizing initiatives that deliver the greatest benefits and continuously evaluating our strategies to adapt and improve. [Evidence-based response]

In this environment, effective communication becomes our most potent tool. We must rearticulate our mission at every opportunity and compellingly highlight the unique value of the joint program to reenergize member states and the donor community. It’s not just about asking for more funds but also about showcasing the life-changing difference every dollar makes.

A multi-country problem requires a multi-country solution. HIV cares little about your geographical boundaries and has demonstrated its capacity to spread rapidly, impacting global stability, security, and health. It’s just not one of those things you can ignore or wish away. Regardless of its power or resources, no single country can effectively tackle these problems alone. Unilateral actions fall short due to the interconnected nature of modern societies and economies. The role of coordinating the larger HIV response undertaken by UNAIDS must, therefore, not be taken lightly. It was critical in 1994 and is critical now. The work is NOT done.

We cannot succumb to despair. We must learn from the lessons of our history. We must embrace this challenge with renewed Vigor. We cannot quit; thousands of lives worldwide depend on us not to quit.

We must inspire hope and maintain the momentum in the fight against HIV & AIDS. We must rise to this occasion like we always have. We must show the world that we are undeterred and unwavering in our commitment to ending this epidemic. 

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

I speak on behalf of the NGO Delegation. 

First, I would like to honor John Rock, a distinguished member of the NGO Delegation of the UNAIDS PCB, who represented Asia and the Pacific between 2013 and 2014 and passed away recently. John’s dedication and passion for international development in the field of HIV and AIDS and for empowering people living with HIV left an indelible mark on countless lives and communities.

The epidemic continues to affect key populations and their sexual partners disproportionately. Key populations – which include gay men and other men who have sex with men, people who inject and use drugs, prisoners and detainees, sex workers, and transgender people – constitute small proportions of the general population but face elevated risks of HIV infection. This is, in part, because of the discrimination, criminalization, harassment, and social exclusion that they experience.

Despite the much-reduced personnel, we were glad to see efforts to pilot an initiative to reach out to young people from key populations through the  Young Leadership Fellowship to create opportunities to build and strengthen personal and community leadership skills and to foster a vibrant network of change leaders within UNAIDS – and we look forward to seeing key populations being an integral part of UNAIDS staff to ensure the sustainability of community leadership, and community-led efforts as we near 2030.

Harry Prabowo, from Indonesia, working at the Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV, told us in the 2023 World AIDS Day report that, “I am alive because of the community. When I was diagnosed with HIV in Jakarta in 2010, I had a CD4 count of 20. Staff at my nongovernmental organization took me to the doctor. They took turns looking after me. Today, I not only have an undetectable viral load, but I also have the confidence to embrace life fully and proudly as a gay man living with HIV. Treatment on its own could not get me here. I have been lucky. But to ensure the world can end AIDS as a public health threat, community-led support cannot be left to luck.”

Finally, we look forward to seeing the implementation of the People Strategy, which aims to support staff well-being through investment in learning, development, and growth that enhances gender equality, diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, respect, and working differently. 

Thank you, Chair.

I speak on behalf of the NGO Delegation,

We are heartened to learn that progress has been made and that the relationship between management and staff is on the mend. However, there is still a pressing need in balancing the objectives and desired outcomes of the management with those of the employees who deliver the organization’s mission.

Transparency in hiring processes, communication about the financial situation, and the steps taken to address it are not just critical; they are empowering. Regular updates through meetings, emails, and newsletters will help everyone to stay informed and engaged. Open lines of communication must be maintained, allowing employees to voice their concerns, suggestions, and feedback. This two-way communication not only builds trust but can inspire innovative ideas from team members, making them feel more involved and valued. 

Addressing employee burnout is not just critical; it’s a priority. Flexible work arrangements, such as remote work options and flexible hours, can help employees manage their work-life balance better. Providing access to mental health resources, such as counseling services or stress management workshops, can help employees cope with stress. Recognizing and rewarding hard work through small gestures of appreciation can significantly boost morale and motivation, making them feel cared for and supported.

We also join the Staff Association in affirming our support for adopting and aligning feminist principles introduced by the organization. We hope the organisation notes the past experiences of its cosponsors and other UN agencies in these areas. We concur that more planning must take place if we are to achieve feminist principles of transparency and devolution of power. 

In conclusion, as members of the key populations and PLHIV communities, we understand all too well how work-life balance affects each and every one of us differently. We look forward to future updates and progress in reconciling the different priorities stated in the human resource management report and recommendations made by the USSA.

Thank you, Chair.

On behalf of the NGO Delegation, I want to thank you for the comprehensive Organizational Oversight Reports presented at this 54th PCB meeting. We recognize and appreciate the hard work and dedication of the UNAIDS management and oversight bodies.

As we review these reports, let’s remember that behind every statistic are real people and communities relying on our collective efforts.

Imagine Maria, a community health worker in a remote village, tirelessly supporting HIV-positive individuals.

Think about Vivek, a young man in an urban center, relying on a community-based organization for his HIV treatment and support.

When we hear about the closure of 12 audits and a 69% reduction in overdue audit recommendations, we see that resources are better managed. This is crucial for people like Maria and Vivek. For Maria, it means she has the resources to provide consistent care. For Vivek, it means he continues to receive his essential treatment.

Yet, we need to keep pushing for better. 

The high residual risk associated with Direct Financial Cooperation (DFC) and Programme Funding Agreements (PFAs) is a major issue that screams for attention. These systems are vital for channeling resources to local initiatives that support key populations. When these systems fail, the impact on our communities is devastating.

Maria’s clinic might not get the funding it needs. Vivek’s support group might have to shut down. The program must work to fix the inefficiencies in DFC and PFAs to ensure resources reach those who need them most.

There are also other serious challenges we must address. The reports highlight an increase in allegations of non-financial misconduct, particularly sexual exploitation, harassment, and abuse. This is unacceptable. These issues directly impact the safety and trust of our communities. We need UNAIDS to act decisively. Strengthen measures against sexual misconduct. Fully implement WHO’s Policy on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct (PASM) and ensure continued mandatory training.

Maria and Vivek need to know they can trust the systems meant to support them.

Ensuring robust governance, accountability, and ethical conduct within UNAIDS is not just about strengthening the organization; it’s about building the trust and support of the communities we serve.

Thank you.

Thank you, Chair.

On behalf of the NGO Delegation, I would like to thank Morten for the presentation and express our gratitude to the Bureau for the meticulous efforts in selecting the new Independent External Oversight Advisory Committee members. 

The IEOAC plays a crucial role in providing independent and expert advice to the PCB and the UNAIDS Executive Director. Its establishment marked a significant milestone in enhancing accountability and governance within UNAIDS, and the upcoming selection for 2025–2026 members is pivotal for sustaining this progress.

The selection process, as detailed in the report from the PCB Bureau, of which the NGO Delegation is a proud member, highlights a robust mechanism for identifying and shortlisting qualified candidates, which featured a multi-stakeholder selection panel with distinguished community representatives. 

However, as we look forward to new IEOAC members joining us, it’s essential to continue recognizing the critical juncture at which we find ourselves. The alarming gap in HIV funding is not just a number; it translates into the loss of lives of millions of people living with or at risk of HIV and opportunities missed.

The IEOAC has been instrumental in highlighting areas where financial inefficiencies and governance issues impede our progress. However, without adequate funding, even the best oversight and accountability mechanisms will fall short. This is not just a technical issue; it’s a moral imperative. We must act now to bridge the funding gaps that undermine our efforts and put millions in danger.

To the Member States and the Joint Programme, we urge you to prioritize and protect the funding needed for the HIV response. The selection of the new IEOAC members is a step forward, but it must be matched with a renewed commitment to resolve the financial crises affecting our HIV response.

We look forward to the PCB’s approval of the new IEOAC members and remain committed to supporting the continued strengthening of UNAIDS’s governance structures.

Thank you. 

Thank you, Chair.

On behalf of the NGO delegation, I congratulate Kenya on its proposal to host the 55th UNAIDS PCB meeting and the financial commitments to make the initiative economically feasible. Decentralizing PCB meetings allows us to engage with diverse realities, and this diversity of perspectives – especially from the Global South – is essential for evolving and improving the actions and decisions we take on this Board. 

The NGO delegation appreciates the open and collaborative discussions that we have had with Kenya about the safety of participants representing key populations, particularly transgender individuals, who face unique challenges due to the visibility of their transgender status on their passports when arriving at countries that don’t recognize their identities. This can create a significant obstacle for civil society representatives, hindering their participation in the PCB Meeting and leading to a more restrictive environment. We have received assurances that the Chair will ensure no discrimination occurs during border control procedures based on gender or sexuality, safeguarding the rights and safety of all participants. But, will this be enough?

For the NGO delegation, we see these commitments from the host country to ensure the safety of transgender people and other key populations as crucial, especially as we strive to eliminate punitive and restrictive laws, as defined in the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV. 

But why stop there? Let’s use this opportunity to accelerate the decriminalization of transgender people and individuals engaged in same-sex relations. Currently, 32% of UN member states still have punitive laws criminalizing these populations – far from our target of 10%. If we don’t act to adjust discriminatory and stigmatizing legal frameworks at the country level, key populations will continuously be disconnected from the strategies we create. This gap is one that community-led organizations fill in the HIV response when there is no law, or it simply fails.

Organizing the PCB in the Global South will be an excellent opportunity to connect with vulnerable and marginalized communities to better understand the advances and deficiencies in service delivery and how we can be more effective. Let’s use this opportunity to humanize the faces and names behind the numbers. 

Member States – I’d like to challenge you to embrace the discomfort of encountering different realities. Discomfort is a true catalyst for meaningful change and progress towards a more inclusive and equitable world. Challenging our perspectives is what we need right now. This fight is far from over.

Thank you

Thank you, Chair

I am a proud African woman living openly and beautifully with HIV; I am honored to speak for young people, girls and young women like myself who have big- dreams and are change-makers,  yet we are often excluded because of our social status, disabilities, gender identity and geographical locations – Board members, systems that discriminate and exclude people from leadership cannot sustain our gains in the global HIV response. 

We want to emphasis the speakers recommendations on; Integration, Breaking barriers – Stigma/discrimination, placing communities at the centre and enhancing community leadership in access to services.

Chair, Inclusive leadership is essential to ensure an effective and equitable HIV response. While we have seen progress in the inclusion and representation of women and girls in all their diversity in decision-making bodies, there is still much work to be done to achieve true gender equity and equality as key elements for meaningful community engagement. Our sustainability strategies must be inclusive, equitable, gender-transformative and responsive to the unique challenges and needs of young people, adolescent girls, young women and young key priority populations who continue to bear the burden of this epidemic.  

• We urge donors to increase technical and financial contributions to UNAIDS in countries where there are persistent gender inequalities and human rights violations and for member states to strengthen legal and policy frameworks that protect women and girls from violence and discrimination, and to expand access to comprehensive SRHR, HIV prevention, treatment, and care services for all. 
• We call upon the Co-sponsors to strengthen the integration of HIV, Human rights and Gender equality including the prioritization of a gender transformative HIV response across their country-specific program plans – this will enhance our shared responsibility and accountability to sustain the joint program and efficiently counter the rising anti-woman rights, anti-gender and overall anti-rights movements.
• Lastly. we request donors and member states to establish robust mechanisms to ensure the sustainability of funding for youth-led, community-based and women-led organisations as these are essential for linking the hard-to reach populations & fostering a people-centred HIV response. This should include – diversifying funding sources and investing in organizational capacity strengthening, supported by strategic technical support to keep these institutions relevant and resilient.

Member states, I want you to always remember that communities are NOT beneficiaries, We are your partners – We are experts in our lived realities and you need us to sustain every gain in the HIV response. 

Thank you

Thank you, Chair.

On behalf of the NGO Delegation, I sincerely thank every one of today’s panellists, and extend special gratitude to our community speakers, who have described so bravely where we have come from, and what we need for the future.

With an Advisory Group of 25 civil society and community organisations, our delegation has put forward a set of principles which we see as essential to sustainability. 

First, Sustainability requires a focus on ensuring accelerated progress in addressing punitive legal and policy environments, stigma and discrimination, and gender inequality and violence as non-negotiables, which must be reflected in national sustainability plans, and in the decision points for this meeting.  Today you gave Edwin Bernard a standing ovation.  I appeal to all delegates to remember his words when we go into the drafting room.

We also heard from Ganna Dovbakh about the harm caused by political leaders who propagate hate, homophobia and the war on drugs.  We urge governments to remove laws and policies that undermine effective responses to HIV – and critically in the current context of rising anti-rights mobilisation – to actively resist complicity with groups or individuals calling for further curbs on people living with HIV, on key populations or on access to HIV services and information.  

Secondly.  Increased and sustained funding are also critical, both donor and domestic, and as Keren Dunaway made so clear, the provision of long-term, sustainable and core funding for women-led, youth-led and community-led responses. sustainability plans must show increased investments in key population programming, as well as in financial protection for people living with HIV, key populations, and other communities most affected. To those working on the sustainability planning process, we urge you to ensure that these elements are front and centre.  Again, it’s critical that they feature with the strongest possible language in the outcomes from this meeting.

Our final point.  Florence Riako-Anam made a powerful comment on how sustainability must not come at a cost to service quality, and Cindy Kelemi described her fears that if we integrate the HIV response into an ailing system, we run the risk of eroding the gains we’ve so far achieved.  The NGO delegation identifies a critical need to explicitly recognize the risks that integration can pose for people living with HIV, key populations, and other communities most affected. Governments must actively engage communities in decision-making, planning, implementing, and monitoring the HIV, UHC and health responses, and must take all necessary steps to ensure continuity in and scale up of HIV services for all who need them.  Again, let the decisions emerging from this meeting reflect these points.

to close, At this PCB we heard of an 11 year old boy bedridden for 8 months, until he finally received the HIV test that means he is here today.  We heard of a young mother writing a farewell letter to her 8 year old boy – a child the same age as my son.  We heard about a gay man in a hospital waiting room where health workers denied him access to PEP.  

To finish with some wise words I heard from the esteemed Dr Ruth this afternoon.  Whenever we talk about sustainability, we need to talk about lives.

Thank you