15 May 2017: The UN Secretary-General released a report on responding to AIDS, emphasizing that an additional collective push can end the AIDS epidemic. The report, titled ‘Reinvigorating the AIDS response to catalyse sustainable development and UN reform,’ also underscores the linkages between achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, and describes the AIDS response as a “bellwether” for both sustainable development and UN reform.

A people-centered approach to the AIDS response based on the principles of equity, global commitments and shared financial responsibility has yielded success in the AIDS response, the report argues. It stresses that progress on ending AIDS has contributed to an emerging vision of Africa as a “continent of hope, promise and vast potential.” The report cautions, however, that there is a “danger of optimism devolving into complacency” with global commitments not consistently being translated into action on the ground, financing for the response having “flatlined,” and human displacement and food insecurity increasing vulnerability, especially among women and girls.

On linkages between the 2030 Agenda and the AIDS response, the report observes that both aims are grounded in equity, human rights and a promise to leave no one behind. The report emphasizes inclusive and sustainable development as critical in durable peace and stability, calling for increased political will and investment to achieve the 2030 Agenda and ensure continued progress on AIDS. The report further stresses that greater progress on SDG 5 (gender equality) is essential in the AIDS response.

The report underscores the critical role of UNAIDS in ending the AIDS epidemic, calling for refining and reinforcing its unique Joint Programme model so the agency can “continue to guide the global agenda,” support countries to adopt fast-track approaches and “remain a pathfinder for UN reform.”

On financing, the report states that domestic investment accounts for nearly 60% of all HIV resources in low-income and middle-income countries (MICs), observing that this shared financial responsibility has been a key driver of progress. The report recommends an additional investment of approximately US$0.50 per person per year globally to maintain momentum against AIDS. The report further recommends: ensuring wise-use of financial resources; using a location-population approach; closing the US$7 billion annual investment gap; and closing gaps in service coverage, including by reaching and empowering women and girls and ensuring that people living with, at risk of or affected by HIV have access to justice and legal services to prevent and challenge human rights violations.

On UN reform, the report observes that many of the reforms called for in the 2016 quadrennial comprehensive policy review are standard practice within UNAIDS, including the leveraging of evidence and strategic information in policy development and programmatic guidance, active coordination among UN entities at global and country levels, and multisector and multi-stakeholder approaches, and inclusive and transparent governance and engagement of civil society.

In its 2016 political declaration on HIV and AIDS, the UN General Assembly decided to set a date, by its 75th session, for a high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS to review progress on the commitments made in the Declaration towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030, and how the response, in its social, economic and political dimensions, continues to contribute optimally to progress on the 2030 Agenda and “the global health goal.” [Publication: Reinvigorating the AIDS Response to Catalyse Sustainable Development and UN Reform] [2016 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: On the Fast Track to Accelerating the Fight against HIV and to Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2030 (A/RES/70/266)]