2008 Feature Story Archive

The Second Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference concluded on May 5 after three-days of dialogue centred on better responding to the region’s HIV epidemic. - Mon, 05 May 2008

A three-day conference on AIDS opens in Moscow on May 3 with a focus on the epidemic in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot will address the opening plenary and take part in sessions discussing the challenges facing the region in its AIDS response. - Fri, 02 May 2008

In adopting the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS in 2001 at the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS, - Mon, 28 Apr 2008

Better policies and practices in the workplace have led to more supportive attitudes towards co-workers living with HIV, the International Labour Organization (ILO) reports in its new publication “Saving lives, protecting jobs”. - Wed, 23 Apr 2008

The International Health Partnership (IHP+) has launched a public web site to facilitate the dissemination of information and tools related to strengthening health systems and services. - Wed, 23 Apr 2008

“I’m here because I have four children,” explains a 48-year-old sex worker, who asked that her name not be used. Today she is being tested for HIV at a mobile health clinic, run by the volunteers of the Association for the Promotion of Mother, Child and Family Health (APROSAM) which is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). - Mon, 21 Apr 2008

Dhamiri Mustapha, a young Tanzanian woman living with HIV, was one of the 80 dignitaries who carried the Olympic flame during the five-kilometre torch relay in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, on 13 April. - Fri, 18 Apr 2008

New Resource Pack from EDUCAIDS, the UNAIDS Global Initiative on Education and HIV and AIDS - Tue, 15 Apr 2008

The upcoming Second Eastern European and Central Asian AIDS Conference will be an important forum for discussion helping countries to improve their understanding of what is driving their epidemics and how to reach key populations at higher risk of HIV infection. - Mon, 14 Apr 2008

The NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board has established a new Communications Facility intended to compile civil society’s issues to be addressed at the global level and to support the work of the Delegation at the Board meetings. - Thu, 10 Apr 2008

UNAIDS in collaboration with UNFPA, WHO, ILO and UNDP has convened a meeting to outline a strategy for future work with faith-based organizations on AIDS issues. - Thu, 10 Apr 2008

African Ministers of Finance and Development Planning concluded their 3-day meeting with a statement reaffirming their commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa by 2015. - Fri, 04 Apr 2008

Leadership is the expression of a person whose aim is to transform something for the better and to develop this potential in others. Often leadership abilities are brought to the fore by certain crises in life enabling people to discover abilities that they didn’t know they had. - Thu, 03 Apr 2008

UNICEF, UNAIDS and WHO have released the second stocktaking report reviewing progress made in the AIDS response for children since the initiative Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS was launched in October 2005. - Thu, 03 Apr 2008

2008 HIV/AIDS Implementers' meeting - Fri, 04 Apr 2008

The first session of the Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Economy and Finance and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference of Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is underway in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. - Tue, 01 Apr 2008

The Coalition of First Ladies and Women Leaders of Latin America on Women and AIDS held its IV meeting in the Dominican Republic on 27 and 28 March 2008. - Fri, 28 Mar 2008

High-impact interventions, such as HIV prevention programmes focused on key populations and antiretroviral treatment, should constitute the core of the HIV response across Asia recommends independent Commission on AIDS in Asia. Their new report, entitled “Redefining AIDS in Asia – Crafting an effective response”, was presented to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on 26 March at an event in New York. - Tue, 25 Mar 2008

UNAIDS has launched the first phase of the new editions of its global web site in French, Spanish and Russian. For the first time parts of the web site are now available in each of the 4 official languages of the organization. - Tue, 18 Mar 2008

Almost quarter of a million people living with HIV died from Tuberculosis (TB) in 2006 according to a new report published by the World Health Organization (WHO). The annual report, Global Tuberculosis Control 2008, also shows that nearly 3/4 million people living with HIV fell ill with TB disease in 2006, confirming that TB is a major cause of illness and death in people living with HIV despite being mostly preventable and curable. - Mon, 17 Mar 2008

Four outstanding journalists were honoured today in Bangladesh for their exceptional contribution to the AIDS response through journalism at the first ever UNAIDS Bangladesh Media Awards. - Fri, 14 Mar 2008

Continuing with the web special series “Making a difference”, which focuses on UNAIDS staff working in countries around the world, we take a look at Jamaica and talk to UNAIDS Country Coordinator, Miriam Maluwa on the daily challenges and rewards of working in this Caribbean country. - Fri, 14 Mar 2008

Every two years, in compliance with the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS signed by UN member states in June 2001, countries report to UNAIDS on their progress made in the response to the AIDS epidemic. This year, countries and individuals showed extraordinary personal commitment to this reporting process. - Wed, 12 Mar 2008

UNAIDS delivered a statement to the 51st session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (Vienna, 10-14 March), calling for increased investment and programmatic action to provide prevention, treatment and support and to protect the human rights of people who use drugs. - Wed, 12 Mar 2008

UNAIDS and UNICEF Regional Support Teams (RST) for Latin America have signed a cooperation agreement with the Lions Club International (LCI) in Central America. - Mon, 10 Mar 2008

UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot gave the following plenary speech on "Partnerships and linking for action" at the first ever Global Forum on Human Resources for Health in Kampala, Uganda from March 2-7, 2008. The GHWA, hosted and administered by the World Health Organization (WHO), has been created to identify and implement solutions to the health workforce crisis. - Thu, 06 Mar 2008

International Women’s Day on 8 March is a global day of celebration to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. The theme of 2008 is “Investing in Women and Girls”. UNAIDS Special Representative Mary Fisher and the women artisans of the Abataka jewellery project believe income generation projects are critical in empowering women living with HIV, enabling them to shape their future. - Thu, 06 Mar 2008

Ahead of 2008 International Women’s Day - themed “Investing in Women and Girls” - the main focus of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women was the importance of financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women. - Thu, 06 Mar 2008

Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, governments and the private sector have implemented travel restrictions with regard to HIV positive people wishing to enter or remain in a country for a short stay (e.g. business, personal visits, tourism) or for longer periods (e.g. asylum, employment, immigration, refugee resettlement, or study). - Tue, 04 Mar 2008

Reaffirming their commitment to the elimination of female genital mutilation, 10 United Nations bodies including UNAIDS, have expressed their commitment to support governments, communities, and women and girls to abandon the practice within a generation. - Tue, 04 Mar 2008

The first ever Global Forum on Human Resources for Health is being held this week in Kampala. We explore what the health workforce crisis is and how it is impacting on the AIDS response. - Fri, 29 Feb 2008

While in India Executive Director Dr Peter Piot visited Sewa Ashram––a centre providing people with essential healthcare and support. - Thu, 28 Feb 2008

According a recent WHO report on anti-TB drug resistance, multi-drug resistant tuberculosis is almost twice as common in TB patients living with HIV compared to TB patients without HIV - Thu, 28 Feb 2008

Microbicides 2008 conference ended on a positive note when it closed 27 February in New Delhi with delegates hopeful that the lessons shared and learned from recent trials will help deliver results soon. - Wed, 27 Feb 2008

The first ever ‘Blessed Mother Teresa International Humanitarian Award’ has been awarded to Dr Peter Piot, Executive Director of UNAIDS for the ‘significant impact he has made to the lives of people living with HIV in the developing world’. - Tue, 26 Feb 2008

In the second of a two part series looking at microbicides, we will be exploring new developments in microbicide research including basic science, clinical trials and social science issues as well as discussion on behaviour, community engagement and advocacy. - Thu, 21 Feb 2008

The current issue of the Journal of Internal Medicine features a review article by Professor Lars O. Kallings, UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia entitled “The first postmodern pandemic: 25 years of HIV/ AIDS” - Thu, 21 Feb 2008

The annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) began in 1994 as a small meeting of scientists studying HIV and clinicians treating people with HIV. It is now one of the most important annual HIV gatherings and provides a forum for basic scientists, clinical investigators, and global health researchers to present, discuss, and critique their investigations into the epidemiology and biology of human retroviruses and the diseases they produce. - Mon, 18 Feb 2008

Ahead of next week’s biannual international microbicides conference Microbicides 2008 running 24 – 27 February in New Delhi we take an in-depth look at microbicides. In part 1 of this 2-part series we look at why they are considered significant in the response to HIV. In part 2 the challenges to the development of this preventative technology will be explored. - Mon, 18 Feb 2008

The 2008 Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science has opened in Boston, USA. The five-day conference which runs from 14-18 February will bring together science and technology professionals from 56 countries to discuss the latest scientific breakthroughs and challenges. - Fri, 15 Feb 2008

It is now 12 years since UNAIDS started work, 12 years in which the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS has matured into a truly global institution, supporting national AIDS responses in more than 80 countries. - Wed, 13 Feb 2008

Continuing with the web special series “Making a difference”, which focuses on the work of UNAIDS staff at country level, www.unaids.org talks to UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Ethiopia, Roger Salla Ntounga, his role, his motivations and how one document is making history in the AIDS response. - Fri, 08 Feb 2008

The role of Christian faith in responding to the AIDS epidemic was the focus of a consultation that took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 28 January to 2 February. - Tue, 05 Feb 2008

The Organisation of African First Ladies against HIV and AIDS (OAFLA), held their 5th Extra Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa from 1-2 February. - Mon, 04 Feb 2008

In compliance with the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, countries have submitted their country progress reports to UNAIDS which will assess the state of the global AIDS epidemic in preparation for the United Nations High-level meeting on AIDS that will take place in June in New York. - Mon, 04 Feb 2008

The research was presented at the recent World Federation for Mental Health expert forum convened in Cape Town, South Africa, on 29-31 January 2008. - Sat, 02 Feb 2008

UNAIDS Special Representative Her Serene Highness Princess Stephanie of Monaco has convened a meeting of HIV positive leaders in her home town of Monaco. - Fri, 25 Jan 2008

“UNAIDS has supported the development of a number of national business coalitions on HIV in regions heavily impacted by the epidemic,” said Peter Piot, Executive Director, UNAIDS. “Business Coalitions help to ensure that the response is coordinated and that knowledge and expertise is shared across the board, they are a valued and respected partner in the AIDS response.” - Thu, 24 Jan 2008

The Mexican Secretary of Health made a recent visit to UNAIDS headquarters in Geneva to meet with Exective Director to discuss plans for the upcoming International AIDS Conference taking place in Mexico City from 3-8 August 2008. - Tue, 22 Jan 2008

UNAIDS works closely with the private sector and recognises the significant contribution the business community makes to the global response to the AIDS epidemic. This week, world business leaders will come together at the World Economic Forum in Davos to discuss global priorities for 2008––including the business community’s contribution to the AIDS response. - Tue, 22 Jan 2008

Country experiences of joint reviews of national AIDS responses were discussed and analyzed at a consultation organized by UNAIDS which took place in Geneva on 15 – 16 January 2008. - Fri, 18 Jan 2008

The 2008 High-Level Meeting on AIDS will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 10 - 11 June. It will review progress made in implementing the 2001 Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS. - Tue, 15 Jan 2008

Working towards the global efforts to reach universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services for all those in need, UNAIDS has renewed its collaboration with the International HIV/AIDS Alliance. - Fri, 11 Jan 2008

In the first of web special series focusing on the work of UNAIDS staff at country level, www.unaids.org talks to UNAIDS Country Coordinator in Ukraine, Dr Ani Shakarishvli, about the response in the country, her role and her motivations - Tue, 08 Jan 2008

One of the major constraints to addressing both the AIDS epidemic and global access to essential health care services is the serious shortage of healthcare workers. - Tue, 08 Jan 2008

Over 7,000 people living with HIV came together in Shilparamam-Hyderabad, India on 7 December as part of the Andhra Pradesh State’s “Be Bold” campaign. - Wed, 02 Jan 2008