PRESS RELEASE
As 2016 drew to a close, UNAIDS welcomed new funding commitments from their partners in the Nordic region for 2017. The renewed political and financial support from the Nordic countries demonstrates their confidence in their performance and UNAIDS 2016-2021 Strategy – on the Fast-Track to end AIDS.
"These investments demonstrate the importance of their shared vision to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. “We welcome these new commitments, which come at a critical point in controlling the AIDS epidemic and will enable UNAIDS to focus on improving performance, delivering results and ensuring that no one is left behind by the global AIDS response."
The Swedish government will increase its annual core contribution to UNAIDS to SEK 230 million for 2017, to provide support to low- and middle-income countries to meet the goals of the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS.
“UNAIDS leadership is critical for our collective ambition of ending AIDS and to ensure zero discrimination of people living with HIV. Sweden’s political and financial support to UNAIDS was clearly demonstrated with the additional core support of SEK 50 million during 2016 to address the financial shortfall,” said Ulrika Modéer, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden. “We look forward to discussions on a sustainable and strengthened business model for UNAIDS in June 2017.”
Norway will increase its core contribution by NOK 10 million for 2017, resulting in a total of NOK 130 million for 2017.
“Norway has always been a strong and active supporter of the United Nations. The unique UNAIDS model has shown that the United Nations can deliver as one, under one budget and results framework,” said Laila Bokhari, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway. “As a donor and a UNAIDS board member, Norway will continue to support the important mission of UNAIDS."
Denmark has strengthened its commitment to the AIDS response by announcing increased support to UNAIDS to DKK 30 million for 2017.
"UNAIDS is a longstanding and key strategic partner for Denmark in our efforts to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. UNAIDS is a front-runner in promoting human rights and addressing stigma and discrimination in the area of HIV/AIDS, particularly relating to women and young girls,” said Ulla Tørnæs, Minister for Development Cooperation, Denmark. “I am very pleased that Denmark was able to provide an additional DKK 11 million to UNAIDS in 2016."
Denmark, Norway and Sweden also provided additional financial support to UNAIDS in 2016 as an emergency measure to address the budget deficit.
UNAIDS remains hopeful that more partners will follow the Nordic countries’ leadership in increasing their political and financial support for UNAIDS to reduce the currently projected funding gap for 2017 and ensure that the world is on the Fast-Track to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.
: UNAIDS
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