“There has been considerable progress across the
world in responding to HIV and AIDS. Yet, the number
of people newly infected with HIV continues to rise
in many countries, and AIDS is still a leading cause of
adult mortality. Treatment has become more widely
available, but the costs for individuals and countries
remain signifi cant, and the sustainability of treatment
is a serious concern.
This situation calls for sharper efforts to reverse the
epidemic and to ensure that all those in need receive
treatment and care. The stakes are high. If we fail
to respond effectively to HIV and AIDS, we will fall
far short of the Education for All objectives and the
Millennium Development Goals. We will fail to meet
our collective commitment to promoting human
rights, gender equality and social justice.
UNESCO is fully engaged with meeting this
challenge. Responding to HIV and AIDS has been
and remains a high priority for action throughout all
of our work, from Headquarters and in the fi eld. HIV
prevention lies at the heart of our efforts – to reduce
the number of people newly infected with HIV and
the human and fi nancial costs of the epidemic.
All parts of the Organization are mobilized, working
at the global, regional and country levels, through
activities that are culturally appropriate, gender
transformative and evidence-based. This crossdisciplinary
approach is our signature strength, and it
is well-suited for tackling HIV and AIDS.
This new UNESCO Strategy for HIV and AIDS builds
on longstanding experience, and has been updated
to refl ect the need to accelerate Universal Access to
HIV prevention, treatment, care and support and to
adapt to an evolving epidemic and a changing global
environment. This is our overarching goal. It is aligned
with our action on gender equality and in Africa, and
built into our overall Medium Term Strategy.”