UNAIDS, The Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS

Ms. Tatiana Shoumilina - UNAIDS Country Coordinator

I. Mission

The Joint United Nations Programme for HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) unites the efforts and resources of seven UN agencies to respond to the global AIDS epidemic, working to assist countries to prevent new HIV infections, to ensure treatment and support for people living with HIV, and to mitigate the impact of the epidemic. The Programme works to support countries to deliver on commitments, actions and goals to scale up towards universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support services, striving to stop and reverse the epidemic. In more than 80 countries, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS is supported by UNAIDS Secretariat.

UNAIDS country-level action aims to mobilize national leadership for an effective response; to support engagement of civil society and develop partnerships; to promote and strengthen country management of strategic information on HIV-related issues. Working on the ground, UNAIDS provides technical assistance to build capacities to monitor and evaluate national responses and to ensure countries' access to available technical and financial resources.

II. Main areas of work

Assistance in scale up towards Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support
In Uzbekistan UNAIDS works to support action towards the fulfillment of national goal of containing the HIV epidemic at the concentrated stage through providing Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. As per agreement with the national partners, particular attention is being paid to implementation of the Three Ones key principles (One multi-sectoral action framework, One coordinating authority, and One monitoring and evaluation mechanism); strengthening of partnerships across the board; capacity development; participation of civil society and communities, including people living with HIV; mobilization of internal and external resources.

Implementation of the Three Ones
In 2008, UNAIDS continued to support consolidation of efforts of all partners around the implementation of the National Strategic Programme on HIV, 2007-11. Specifically, support in the scale up towards Universal Access was incorporated into the new United Nations Development Assistance Framework, UNDAF. As a member of the Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCM), UNAIDS participated in all activities initiated and supported by the CCM. UNAIDS professionals took part in the field visits to monitor the implementation of the National Strategic Programme on HIV in the selected regions of the country. Assistance was provided with the finalization of the National M&E Guidelines; advice was offered on translating the sentinel surveillance results into local level action.

UNAIDS assisted with the preparation of the UNGASS 2008 Report submitted by Uzbekistan in January 2008. The report marks the progress in the implementation in the country of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (2001). UNAIDS supported participation of the Uzbekistan delegation in the High Level Meeting 2008 that reviewed progress achieved globally in the implementation of the commitments on AIDS.

Strengthening partnerships and supporting capacity development
UNAIDS continued to focus on the strengthening of multi-sectoral partnerships and participation in the HIV responses at all levels. UNAIDS supported functioning of the Expanded Theme Group on AIDS that served as an information exchange platform, and facilitated the first steps in transforming the Expanded TG into a national partnership forum. UNAIDS supported NANNOUz in consolidating the NGO efforts in the national HIV response and rendered assistance in carrying out of an NGO forum on HIV. UNAIDS continued advocating participation in HIV responses of people living with HIV and collaborated with NANNOUz and other stakeholders in developing institutional and technical capacity of the initiative groups. UNAIDS assisted the CCM Secretariat in ensuring participation of stakeholders across the board in financial resource mobilization.

Mobilization of internal and external resources
In 2008, UNAIDS continued to support efforts to mobilize resources for HIV response. In close collaboration with the CCM Secretariat, UNAIDS facilitated engagement of international experts and provided overall support in the development of Uzbekistan's proposal for the GF Round 8 funding. UNAIDS advocated mainstreaming of HIV into core activities of key sectors, facilitated integration of the issue in the new UNDAF, and mobilized assistance of an international expert to support planning of action to mobilize internal resources.

National AIDS Campaign
In 2008, UNAIDS continued collaboration with partners for raising public awareness and creating an environment that enables an effective scale up to achieve universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. UNAIDS participated and supported a multi-agency steering group that coordinated planning and implementation of the National AIDS Campaign. UNAIDS took part in the implementation of specific Campaign activities, including a fund raising exhibition in support to children and young people living with HIV.

Information and communication
In 2008, UNAIDS continued to ensure availability to national partners of quality, up to date information and materials on HIV-related issues.

III. Main partners

National: Ministry of Health, Republican AIDS Centre, Women's Committee of Uzbekistan, National Association of NGOs of Uzbekistan, National Youth Union "Kamolot", Social Initiatives Support Fund.

International: Central Asian AIDS Control Project, AIDS Foundation East West, Сentres for Disease Control and Prevention,, Capacity Project / USAID,, World Vision International.

IV. Contact information:

UNAIDS Country Office
Inconel Business Centre, 3rd floor
75, Musaqillik St, 700000,
Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Tel: +998 71 1203082/83/84
Fax: +998 71 1203084

Website: www.unaids.org