UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was founded in 1996 to ensure a unified action from the United Nations system in the fight against HIV/AIDS on a global, regional and national level. UNAIDS mobilizes support and resources, collects and distributes data, develops global strategies, and render technical assistance. Furthermore, UNAIDS is responsible for monitoring the epidemic at a global level and building capacity at country level.

The role of UNAIDS
The organization comprises 11 co-sponsoring organizations: UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, UNESCO, WHO, the World Bank, UNODC, ILO, WFP, UNWOMAN, and UNHCR. The secretariat of UNAIDS is based in Geneva. At regional level, the Secretariat’s activities are delivered through six regional offices. At country level, it operates through 86 country offices, through staff posted in UN Resident Coordinator Offices or assigned to work with UN Joint Teams or Theme Group Chairs as well as through UNAIDS Focal Points dependent on their parent UN agency without in-country presence of UNAIDS staff.

UNAIDS supports people most affected by HIV and AIDS by speaking out in defense of their human dignity, human rights, and gender equality. UNAIDS has contributed to the achievement of the MDG’s, in particular MDG6. With its new strategy for 2016-2021 “On the Fast-Track to end AIDS”, UNAIDS has formulated a strong framework for the HIV/AIDS response towards achieving the target to end AIDS as an epidemic by 2030 under SDG Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being. UNAIDS is committed to and having a clear focus on “Shared Responsibility” and "Leaving No One Behind" on the way to end the epidemic and advocates that HIV/AIDS investments should be targeted the location and population of the epidemic. The organization emphasizes, that interventions are also platforms for advancement of broader development policies and improvement of human rights, social justice and living conditions for the most vulnerable.

Since 2010 UNAIDS has contributed to;
- a 16 % decrease in new HIV infections in general, and a 47 % decrease among children;
- ensure that 20,9 million HIV infected receive treatment;
- a drop in AIDS mortality by 43 %.Denmark’s cooperation with UNAIDS
Denmark’s cooperation with UNAIDS is based on the Danish Organization Strategy for UNAIDS, 2017-2021. Denmark regards the organization as a central player in the international community’s efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, UNAIDS has a strong record in the field of human rights, and is committed to advance human rights and gender equality in the HIV/AIDS response by; calling for protection against stigma and discrimination; implementing legal environments for people living with HIV/AIDS and key populations at higher risk of HIV infection; and ensuring coverage for the most underserved and vulnerable communities.

Denmark’s three  priorities for the cooperation are; ensuring that UNAIDS’ clear focus on human rights, including equity and gender equality, is maintained, ensuring that young people, especially young women and adolescent girls, have access to prevention, and continued reform and risk management.

Read the Danish Organisation Strategy for UNAIDS 2017-2021

Updated September 2020