14 June 2016
HLM Agrees on Political Declaration to Fast-Track AIDS Response, Achieve Related SDGs
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The 2016 High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Ending AIDS agreed on a set of specific, time-bound targets and actions to place the world on a ‘Fast-Track' to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participants agreed on a Political Declaration that outlines actions to implement the AIDS agenda and achieve related SDG targets.

UNAIDS10 June 2016: The 2016 High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Ending AIDS agreed on a set of specific, time-bound targets and actions to place the world on a ‘Fast-Track’ to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants agreed on a Political Declaration that outlines actions to implement the AIDS agenda and achieve related SDG targets.

The meeting took place from 8-10 June 2016, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. UN General Assembly (UNGA) President Mogens Lykketoft convened the HLM, which was co-facilitated by Switzerland and Zambia. It brought together over 600 participants from governments, intergovernmental organizations, the private sector, civil society and communities of people living with and affected by HIV. SDG 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) includes target 3.3, which aims to, by 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

“Over the next five years, we have a window of opportunity to radically change the trajectory of the epidemic and put an end to AIDS forever,” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed at the meeting’s opening session, cautioning that inaction could cause the epidemic to rebound in low and middle-income countries. Ban also highlighted the importance of ending the AIDS epidemic in achieving the SDGs, saying actions to address AIDS can play a role in advancing efforts to leave no one behind. He called for radical change within the next five years to achieve the SDG targets on AIDS, urging commitment at all levels, from the global health infrastructure to the UN Security Council, which he observed has dealt with AIDS as a humanitarian issue that threatens human and national security.

“We must pay greater attention to equality and inclusion, uphold human rights and speak out against stigma and discrimination” to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030, Lykketoft said in his remarks. He observed that the AIDS epidemic undermines development and impacts economic growth, particularly in conflict and post-conflict areas. In closing remarks, Lykketoft urged participants to make a commitment to fast-track the global response to HIV/AIDS.

The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director Michel Sidibé highlighted progress in addressing HIV and AIDS, saying “for the first time in history we can say that in Africa there are more people initiating HIV treatment than there are new HIV infections.” Sidibé also underscored the importance of inclusion, saying, “The doors of the UN should be open to all.”

The HLM featured announcements, commitments and recognition of efforts. The US announced the launch of a US$100 million Key Populations Investment Fund to close the gap between people who have access to HIV services and those who are being left behind. The Fund will focus on reducing stigma and discrimination, empowering communities in service design and delivery and increasing data quality on key populations, and will increase access to HIV services for sex workers, gay men, transgender people, prisoners, people who inject drugs and others. The World Health Organization (WHO) presented certificates of validation to Armenia, Belarus, Cuba and Thailand for eliminating new HIV infections among children. Ban praised these countries for shining “a light on discrimination, intolerance and stigma” and bringing passion to the right to end AIDS.

The Organization of African First Ladies against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) organized a panel session during the meeting to showcase adolescent policies and programmes to improve health outcomes among adolescent girls and young women. OAFLA joined the First Lady of Haiti and the First Lady of Panama in calling for stronger integration of services to empower young women and adolescent girls in the AIDS response and to ensure the development of policies and programmes appropriate to the needs of women and girls.

The event included five panels on: AIDS within the SDGs: leveraging the end of AIDS for social transformation and sustainable development; financing and sustaining the end of AIDS; getting to the 90-90-90 target; leaving no one behind: ending stigma and discrimination through social justice and inclusive societies; and preventing new HIV infections among children, adolescent girls and young women. [UNAIDS Press Release, 10 June] [UNAIDS Press Release, 8 June] [UNAIDS Press Release, 9 June] [UNAIDS Press Release on OAFLA] [UN Press Release] [UN Secretary-General Statement] [UNGA President Opening Statement] [UNGA President Closing Statement] [IISD RS Story on Global AIDS Update 2016] [Political Declaration]


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