Joint Press Release by Action against AIDS Germany, Deutsche Aidshilfe and Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW).

After intense negotiations, the United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS concluded in New York on Tuesday evening with the adoption of a Political Declaration setting the global HIV/AIDS agenda for the next five years. Key principles of the global HIV response were preserved, but several commitments were weakened during negotiations.

Sylvia Urban, Board Member of Aktionsbündnis gegen AIDS (AgA) and Deutsche Aidshilfe (DAH), said: “We welcome the fact that, despite significant political tensions, this declaration was ultimately adopted. In uncertain times like these, a shared point of reference provided by the United Nations is enormously important. At the same time, we see the shortcomings of the declaration and a growing hostility towards minorities affected by HIV and AIDS in many countries. Combined with dramatic funding gaps, this gives us serious cause for concern.”

The Political Declaration was adopted with 149 votes in favour, 8 against and 14 abstentions. Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel, Niger, Russia, Senegal and, for the first time, the United States voted against it.

What Remains Sayable?

The most controversial issues during the negotiations included:

• the recognition of populations disproportionately affected by HIV as “key populations” (including men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs and people in prisons);
• the meaningful involvement of people living with HIV, affected communities and civil society as a proven success factor in the HIV response;
• explicit references to human rights and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• the acknowledgement of gender diversity as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights.

All of these issues remained in the final text, at least in some form. However, statements made by governments after the vote clearly demonstrated that political conflicts and broader societal shifts are increasingly undermining global efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

German Government Sends a Strong Signal

The German Government sent a strong signal in support of an effective HIV response in New York.

“The progress achieved in the fight against HIV/AIDS would not have been possible without the commitment and leadership of civil society. From the very beginning, civil society reminded state institutions of their responsibilities and spoke out forcefully against discrimination and stigma affecting key populations,” said Dr. Georg Kippels, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Health, during the High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS at United Nations Headquarters.

Germany also led by example: the official German delegation, headed by the Parliamentary State Secretary, included representatives from Aktionsbündnis gegen AIDS, Deutsche Aidshilfe and Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung.

Referring to Germany’s national HIV strategy, Dr. Kippels highlighted the successful cooperation with Deutsche Aidshilfe in prevention efforts targeting populations at increased risk of HIV.

Will This Success Story Continue?

Since the introduction of effective HIV treatment in the mid-1990s, the global community has made extraordinary progress. Millions of lives have been saved and millions of new infections have been prevented.

UNAIDS has set the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. However, international funding cuts and growing geopolitical instability now place these achievements at risk.

Ludi Schlageter, Head of Advocacy Germany at Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung (DSW), commented: “The global progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS over the last 25 years demonstrates what international cooperation can achieve. But without sufficient funding, these gains are at risk of being reversed. The commitments made at this High-Level Meeting must now be translated into concrete action and sustainable investments, particularly for women and girls as well as young people, who remain among the groups most affected by HIV worldwide. We cannot allow setbacks.”

Joining Forces for an Effective HIV Response

One lesson remains clear: human rights-based approaches that meaningfully involve affected communities are the path towards ending AIDS.

Sylvia Urban added: “Whether we truly achieve the end of AIDS or see the epidemic regain momentum will depend on the decisions governments make now. Civil society and communities remain ready to play their part and will continue to hold decision-makers accountable. Lives depend on it.”

A Complementary Civil Society Declaration

At the conclusion of the High-Level Meeting, civil society organisations published a complementary People’s Declaration, addressing gaps in the official Political Declaration and speaking more clearly about the challenges ahead.

More than 500 organisations have already endorsed the declaration, including Aktionsbündnis gegen AIDS, Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung and Deutsche Aidshilfe.

Contacts

Aktionsbündnis gegen AIDS
Peter Wiessner
wiessner@aktionsbuendnis-aids.de
Tel. +49 (0)176 821 88 269

Deutsche Aidshilfe
Holger Wicht, Press Officer
holger.wicht@dah.aidshilfe.de
Tel. +49 (0)171 274 95 11 (WhatsApp calls/messages only)
Tel. +1 646 712 14 74 (regular and Wi-Fi calls)

Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung
Ludi Schlageter
ludi.schlageter@dsw.org
Tel. +49 (0)173 755 45 22