By Haruna Gimba
The United Nations Joint Action on HIV/AIDS has urged world leaders to fulfil their commitment to end Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) by 2030.
UNAIDS Executive Director and United Nations Under-Secretary-General Winnie Byanyima, will be in New York next week for the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
At the UNGA, she will be urging world leaders to fulfill their commitment to ending AIDS by 2030.
In its most recent report, UNAIDS showed that there is a path that ends AIDS and that many countries already on that path and succeeding, including Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
“Efforts to end AIDS succeed when, anchored in strong political leadership, they follow the evidence; tackle inequalities holding back progress; enable communities and civil society organizations in their vital roles in the response; and are supported by sufficient and sustainable funding,” said Ms Byanyima.
“The path that ends AIDS requires collaboration; south and north, governments and communities, the UN system and member states together.”
UNGA 78 is taking place from 5-26 September 2023, with the hottest topics of the moment being debated during the High-Lelvel week (18-26).
This is when UNAIDS will join world leaders, global experts, human rights defenders, environmental campaigners, and activists to tackle the most pressing challenges facing the world today, including ending AIDS.
“At UNGA 78, we need renewed global energy to end AIDS. That energy must be led by world leaders, including committing to providing political and financial support to advance the fight against AIDS,” said Winnie Byanyima.
“The AIDS movement is one of the greatest assets for global progress. The end of AIDS is not an alternative to investing in other challenges, it is how other challenges can be overcome.”
