This blog is one of the main ways that the NGO Delegates and the CF Team share information about the work of the Delegation and forthcoming PCB meetings. We encourage you to comment and/or ask questions. The posts are listed in order of most recent. Navigate this page by using the search function or the checklist system on the left to narrow down your search by PCB meeting, theme, or any other tag or key word.

    Accounting for Universal Access: The 2010 Reviews

    BlogNewsApril 26, 2010 by UNAIDS PCB NGO Delegation[PDF][print]

    Originally published at www.pcbngo.org/pcb/blog/2...s-2010.php

    In February 2010, UNAIDS called for an international effort to renew commitment for countries to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

    ?Countries are urged to undertake an open and inclusive consultation process?bringing together governments, development partners, civil society organizations, networks of people living with HIV and community groups to review the progress made in reaching country targets for Universal Access.? – Michel Sidibé, Executive Director, UNAIDS

    UNAIDS has produced the first information note outlining the process and a time-line for the implementation of the UNAIDS UA reviews at the country and regional levels. The review aims to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to take stock of ?steps towards national targets, identify current obstacles and decide together about what needs to be done now in order to achieve universal access and ultimately the MDGs.?

    Read Accounting for Universal Access: The 2010 Reviews, Information note #1 on the process

    All questions on this can be directed to Richard Burzynski, Senior Advisor, Universal Access Partnerships ? burzynskir@unaids.org

    How can I participate in the upcoming PCB?

    BlogApril 10, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    The 26th UNAIDS Board Meeting will be taking place in Geneva on 22-24 June, 2010. Members of civil society who are interested in attending the meeting can do so by registering as an Observer. Registration information will be made by UNAIDS a few months prior to the PCB Meeting and will be posted to the “Upcoming PCB” area of this website.

    Observers to the PCB Meeting are required to make their own travel arrangements and cover all of their expenses.

    As a civil society observer, you will be invited to daily briefings with the NGO Delegates and will be given many opportunities to feed into the formulation of the Delegation’s interventions. When making travel arrangements, please expect to arrive a day early as the NGO Delegation’s civil society pre-meeting will take place the day before the board meeting begins.

    Uzbek HIV activist sentenced to 7 years imprisonmentSimple actions we can all do to support Maksim Popov

    BlogApril 1, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    Maksim Popov, head of the nongovernmental group Izis, worked on educating risk groups on ways to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and STDs in Uzbekistan. According to the independent news Web sites Uznews and Ferghana, a Tashkent court convicted Popov on six fabricated criminal charges, including embezzlement and concealment of funds, tax evasion, incitement to drugs use, corrupting minors, and provoking antisocial conduct. He was given a seven year jail sentence after being held before a court ruling for 5 months.

    Talking Drugs is distributing a call for action in support of Maksim Popov. It is available in English, Italian, Spanish and Russian.

    MDG Civil Society Hearings: Call for nominations of civil society speakers

    BlogMarch 30, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    Act now! Be heard!

    Now Open. Call for nominations of civil society speakers for Informal Interactive Hearings of the United Nations General Assembly to provide input to the MDG Summit

    Deadline for nominations of speakers is April 16

    FIVE things you can do right now

    Share this AIDS Advocacy Alert as widely as possible

    1. Get together to nominate someone as a potential speaker during the Informal Interactive Hearings of the United Nations General Assembly to represent your NGOs, civil society and the private sector to provide input to the preparatory process for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
    2. Make sure you fill in the online application form available at: http://esango.un.org/irene/?page=profileSurvey (English) and http://esango.un.org/irene/index.html?page=viewContent&nr=62&type=22&section=15 (Spanish) by April 16,2010
    3. Read more about the Task Force representing NGOs and civil society at: http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article2292&var_mode=calcul
    4. Write to mdg2010@un-ngls.org or Alec Khachatrian at avet.khachatrian@un-ngls.org if you have any specific questions. You can also contact us at ICASO: universalaccess2010@icaso.org
    5. Download the AIDS Advocacy Alert: http://www.icaso.org/publications/2010/aa_march10Call_Nominations_InteractiveHearing.pdf

    UNAIDS Task Force on Governance Page Launched

    BlogMarch 18, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    The UNAIDS Task Force on the Second Independent Evaluation (SIE) follow up related to all aspects of governance held it’s first meeting on 24-25 February, 2010. UNAIDS has launched a section of their SIE website focusing on information related to this task force.

    Visit the task force page on the UNAIDS website.

    NGO Report Consultation Deadline MARCH 15

    BlogMarch 14, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    Each year, the NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS governing body (called the Programme Coordinating Board or PCB) submits a report to the Board. This is an important opportunity for us to present the unique perspectives of civil society on the developments and issues around the AIDS pandemic. Broad input from civil society informs the NGO report, particularly regarding key issues on the agenda, but also regarding persistent or emerging issues “on the ground.”

    This year, we anticipate that the June 2010 board meeting will include agenda items such as non-discrimination; men who have sex with men (MSM); and a thematic focus on sexual and reproductive health services linked to HIV.

    The survey is currently available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Burmese, Arabic, Thai and Swahili. Please take the time to complete the survey before the 15th of MARCH.

    Bureau meeting update: 26th February, 2010

    BlogMarch 11, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    The Bureau met on the 26th of February to discuss the agenda of the 26th PCB Meeting and to receive updates from members on the thematic session and the Governance Task Force. The agenda of the meeting is expected to include the report of the Executive Director, the NGO Report, ensuring non-discrimination in responses to HIV, follow up on the Second Independent Evaluation, reducing HIV transmission among MSM and transgender people and the gender-sensitivity of AIDS responses.

    The UNAIDS Secretariat will be taking the lead on the agenda item on ensuring non-discrimination in responses to HIV and is expected to present a report to the board based on consultations which will include the NGO Delegation, Cosponsors and Members States. UNDP will be leading on reporting around reducing transmission among MSM and transgender people and are expected to have a wide consultation in developing their report to the board.

    Under the item on the gender-sensitivity of AIDS responses, the board will be given a progress report on the implementation of the Operational plan for UNAIDS Action Framework: addressing women, girls, gender equality and HIV.

    Read the minutes of the Bureau call.

    The next Bureau Meeting will take place on March 24th.

    UNAIDS SIE Implementation Plan made available

    BlogMarch 10, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    UNAIDS Second Independent Evaluation (SIE) Implementation Plan

    Based on discussions held at the 25th Programme Coordinating Board meeting, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS in conjunction with other stakeholders, has developed a plan to implement the recommendations which were agreed on at the December 2009 Programme Coordinating Board meeting.

    While much progress has been made since December 2009, many of the work-streams are now in the process of operationalizing their plans. The Implementation Plan therefore needs to be considered to be a ‘living document’, the content of which will change over time, as these plans are being operationalized, and these changes will be reflected in the document.

    If you have any comments or queries on the plan as it currently stands, please send an email to Helen Frary (fraryh@unaids.org) and Eddy Beck (becke@unaids.org) and copied to Agnes Cordero (corderoa@unaids.org).

    This article was originally published at http://www.unaids.org/en/AboutUNAIDS/IndependantEvaluation/sie_implementation.asp

    Governance Task Force update: 24-25 February, 2010

    Blog by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    The Governance Task Force met over the course of 2 days in Geneva on February 24-25. The members of the task force discussed ways of improving the working methods of the PCB, which included the review of roles and responsibilities of selected PCB Members, such as the Chair, the Bureau and PCB officers, and the formulation of clearer guidelines in the drafting room and around intervention practices. The task force highlighted the need to ensure that past PCB decisions were implemented and the need for better accountability in issues related to allocation of human and financial resources and joint working. Also discussed in the meeting was the need for better linkages between the UNAIDS board and boards of the Cosponsors.

    The implementation plan was circulated by UNAIDS to the members of the task force for comments.

    The minutes of the Governance Task Force meeting are available here.

    The next meeting of the Governance Task Force will take place on March 22-23.

    26th PCB: Background on Agenda Items

    Blog by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    We have made the below background information on expected agenda items available in lead up to the 26th PCB Meeting.

    NGO Report
    Ensuring non-discrimination in responses to HIV
    Reducing HIV transmission among MSM and transgender people
    Gender-sensitivity of AIDS responses
    Follow up to the Second Independent Evaluation

    NGO Report

    Each year, the NGO Delegation presents a report to the UNAIDS board around persistent or emerging issues “on the ground” which relate to the key issues presented on the agenda of the meeting. The NGO report is written based on consultation with civil society through an online survey, one on one interviews and focus groups conducted by each NGO Delegate in their region.

    This year the NGO Report focuses on stigma and discrimination.

    Ensuring non-discrimination in responses to HIV

    The non-discrimination agenda item stems from the 24th PCB Meeting NGO Report presented to the board on the barriers to universal access. The report (based on a civil society consultation with more than 400 respondents) concluded that stigma and discrimination was the biggest barrier to universal access. The NGO Delegates recommended including stigma and discrimination as the fourth pillar of universal access. Although this was not passed by the board, it was agreed that this needed to be discussed in more detail and therefore the board agreed that it would be presented at a board meeting in 2010. The bureau met in February and decided that ‘Ensuring non-discrimination in responses to HIV” would be included as an agenda item at the 26th PCB Meeting.

    Reducing HIV transmission among MSM and transgender people

    At the 25th PCB Meeting in December, there was interest from a number of stakeholders in having the board make a strong statement on the need to respect the rights of MSM. There was disagreement around a decision point asking the UNAIDS Executive Director to promote HIV programming for MSM including the respect for their human rights. As there wasn’t consensus amongst the board members, it was decided that this would be included as an agenda item at the 26th PCB Meeting.

    Gender-sensitivity of AIDS responses

    The Executive Director was given the mandate (at the request of civil society) at the 24th PCB meeting to convene a working group on the development of the operational plan. The operational plan was presented to the board at the 25th PCB Meeting and it was decided that at the 26th PCB Meeting, the board would receive an update on the implementation of the operational plan. Read the Operational plan for UNAIDS Action Framework: addressing women, girls, gender equality and HIV.

    Follow up to the Second Independent Evaluation

    The Governance Task Force was established as a result of a decision at the 25th PCB Meeting to follow up on governance issues and oversee the implementation of recommendations of the Second Independent Evaluation of UNAIDS (link to report or summary). They will give an update to the 26th PCB.

    We have made the below background information on expected agenda items available in lead up to the 26th PCB Meeting.

    NGO Report
    Ensuring non-discrimination in responses to HIV
    Reducing HIV transmission among MSM and transgender people
    Gender-sensitivity of AIDS responses
    Follow up to the Second Independent Evaluation

    NGO Report

    Each year, the NGO Delegation presents a report to the UNAIDS board around persistent or emerging issues “on the ground” which relate to the key issues presented on the agenda of the meeting. The NGO report is written based on consultation with civil society through an online survey, one on one interviews and focus groups conducted by each NGO Delegate in their region.





    This year the NGO Report focuses on stigma and discrimination.

    Ensuring non-discrimination in responses to HIV








    The non-discrimination agenda item stems from the 24th PCB Meeting NGO Report presented to the board on the barriers to universal access. The report (based on a civil society consultation with more than 400 respondents) concluded that stigma and discrimination was the biggest barrier to universal access. The NGO Delegates recommended including stigma and discrimination as the fourth pillar of universal access. Although this was not passed by the board, it was agreed that this needed to be discussed in more detail and therefore the board agreed that it would be presented at a board meeting in 2010. The bureau met in February and decided that ‘Ensuring non-discrimination in responses to HIV” would be included as an agenda item at the 26th PCB Meeting.

    Reducing HIV transmission among MSM and transgender people

    At the 25th PCB Meeting in December, there was interest from a number of stakeholders in having the board make a strong statement on the need to respect the rights of MSM. There was disagreement around a decision point asking the UNAIDS Executive Director to promote HIV programming for MSM including the respect for their human rights. As there wasn’t consensus amongst the board members, it was decided that this would be included as an agenda item at the 26th PCB Meeting.

    Gender-sensitivity of AIDS responses

    The Executive Director was given the mandate (at the request of civil society) at the 24th PCB meeting to convene a working group on the development of the operational plan. The operational plan was presented to the board at the 25th PCB Meeting and it was decided that at the 26th PCB Meeting, the board would receive an update on the implementation of the operational plan. Read the Operational plan for UNAIDS Action Framework: addressing women, girls, gender equality and HIV.

    Follow up to the Second Independent Evaluation

    The Governance Task Force was established as a result of a decision at the 25th PCB Meeting to follow up on governance issues and oversee the implementation of recommendations of the Second Independent Evaluation of UNAIDS (link to report or summary). They will give an update to the 26th PCB.

    UNAIDS Executive Director: Letter to Partners 2010: Michel Sidibé

    Blog by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    In his 2010 letter to partners, Mr Michel Sidibé takes stock of his first twelve months in office as UNAIDS Executive Director, and provides his vision for the coming years.

    Against the backdrop of an epidemic in transition, he outlines a core set of values that can change the course of the epidemic. These include getting equity, banking on evidence, ensuring rights and dignity, aiming for zero new infections while providing treatment for everyone who needs it and leveraging interconnectedness of health and development.

    Read the full report

    UNAIDS Report on HIV First Learning Wave (FLW)

    BlogMarch 9, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    The report by UNAIDS, Experiences From the Three Countries in the HIV First Learning Wave (FLW) focuses on experiences in Kenya, Rwanda and Malawi during 2009. The key findings include:

    • The NSA modality is a important mechanism to strengthen strategic planning for HIV and AIDS in countries
    • The NSA modality has not been well understood: UNAIDS needs to conduct more robust dialogue with GF, and other partners, about what support is required to roll it out.
    • Support for Strategic Planning at country level is very patchy and urgently needs to be beefed up.
    • A set of specific technical issues in countries embarking on NSP and/or NSA development will need to be supported with tools, guidance and varying forms of technical support: the ‘attributes’ of a good strategy, results frameworks (not simply M&E), ensuring inclusion and legitimacy, civil society roles, costing, gap analysis, Operational Planning.
    • Supporting countries to respond to performance‐based funding (not just GF, but also PEPFAR and other GHIs) will require very considerable strengthening of strategic and operational planning processes and architecture.

    Elimination of HIV transmission from mother to child by 2015 within reach

    BlogMarch 8, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    Press Release

    Dramatic reduction in malaria deaths by 2015 possible; on track to meet global TB targets

    Geneva – Virtual elimination of mother to child HIV transmission by 2015 is now within reach if current rates of progress by Global Fund-supported programs and other efforts are maintained. Malaria may be eliminated as a public health problem within a decade in most countries where it is endemic. Tuberculosis prevalence in many countries is declining and the international target of halving TB prevalence could be met by 2015.

    Read more…

    UNAIDS Request for proposals: CF Host

    BlogMarch 5, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    UNAIDS distributed their call for proposals for civil society organizations working internationally to host and serve as a Communication and Consultation Facility that will support the participation of the nongovernmental organization (NGO) delegation to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB). Read the original article…

    They have now made available two documents to help with queries and to provide additional information. Available here and here.

    Please note that the submission of proposals is March 10, 2010.

    Global Health Governance Journal: Call for proposals

    BlogMarch 2, 2010 by N. Siniora[PDF][print]

    The next issue of Global Health Governance will focus on Global Health Governance
    and the AIDS Response. This special issue will explore the contributions of the global
    AIDS response over the last 30 years to innovations in governance principles, paradigms,and practice.

    Authors should alert the journal of their intention to submit a manuscript, including the proposed title of the paper, the names of the author(s) and an abstract of no more than 250 words no later than 15 March 2010.

    Read more…

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    Representing Civil Society on the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board