UNAIDS is holding a second and final virtual consultation to review its 2016-2021 Strategy. The draft of the Strategy is available online for review and comment until 21st August. This consultation follows eight months of discussions at global and regional levels. UNAIDS hosted its first virtual consultation in March 2015, receiving 280 inputs from 50 countries in five languages. Young people, people living with and affected by HIV and representatives from civil society represented a large proportion of the respondents.
By engaging with stakeholders at all levels, UNAIDS aims to generate a widely shared understanding on the future direction of UNAIDS’ response to HIV. At its 36th session in June, the Programme Coordinating Board expressed satisfaction with the process, praising its inclusiveness and transparency.
This draft of the Strategy builds on the priorities expressed at these consultations and guidance received form the Board. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide comments on to the draft or can post their comments directly on the website. Following the consultation, UNAIDS will revise the draft and submit a final version to the Board for adoption in October. The new Strategy is expected to set ambitious programmatic and resource targets to be met by 2020 which will set a course to ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030, a target which is reflected in the sustainable development goals.
Quotes
“While we celebrate the many advances made in the AIDS response, we cannot afford at this stage to stop. To leave no one behind we must address the significant gaps that remain for key populations as part of a strategy that is people-focused and rights-based. The new UNAIDS Strategy must get us there”.
Mary Ann Torres, Executive Director, ICASO
“For the first time, the UNAIDS strategy is making a clear call that young people, particularly adolescents, are a priority and must be meaningfully engaged in the AIDS response. We are inspired by the shift to recognize adolescents as agents of change – this will make serious strides towards tackling our greatest challenges.”
Monique Long, Executive Director, Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network, member of The PACT
