UNAIDS India Office

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is the main advocate for global action on the epidemic. It brings together ten UN agencies in a common effort to fight the epidemic. Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank.

The global mission of UNAIDS is to lead, strengthen and support an expanded response to the epidemic that aims at preventing transmission of HIV, providing care and support, reducing vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV/AIDS, and alleviating the impact of the epidemic.

The mandate of UNAIDS in India is carried out through the Joint UN Team on AIDS and the Theme Group on HIV/AIDS, with representatives from each cosponsor. UNAIDS works closely with the Government through the National AIDS Control Organization and other key partners including State AIDS Control Societies, civil society, the academia, the private sector etc., to share knowledge, skills and experience to lead the fight against HIV.

Specifically, UNAIDS supports the national response to HIV and AIDS by promoting:

ˇ         Strengthened leadership and resource mobilization for a broad-based response at all levels, including governments, civil society and people living with HIV

ˇ         Improved planning, financing, technical assistance and coordination at all levels for a sustainable multi-sectoral response to the epidemic, integrated with national development efforts

ˇ         Strengthened evidence base of the response through greater availability and use of strategic information from better monitoring and evaluation, surveillance, and resource tracking

ˇ         Enhanced human resources and robust delivery systems at all levels of government, civil society and other non-state partners

ˇ         Strengthened human rights-based and gender-responsive policies to reduce stigma and discrimination.

ˇ         Increased coverage and sustainability of programmes for injecting drug users, men having sex with men and sex workers

ˇ         Increased coverage and sustainability of programmes to address the vulnerability of women and girls, young people, emergency-affected populations and uniformed personnel.