UNAIDS Board backs restructuring to maintain HIV services amid UN reforms
The Board took note of the final report of its Working Group and approved the overall strategic direction for the transition.
SWITZERLAND—The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) has approved a strategic transition plan to preserve and strengthen the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, protect HIV services and community support, and support the UN as it implements institutional reforms.
At a special session on 27 October, the Board backed a streamlined operating model that maintains UNAIDS’ mandate while shifting more technical leadership to its 11 cosponsoring UN organisations.
Members stressed that the transition must protect people living with, at risk of and affected by HIV, while preserving gains made in the global AIDS response.
Executive Director Winnie Byanyima welcomed the decision, noting that the Board had rejected the programme’s closure in favour of transformation
She thanked governments, donors, civil society organisations and activists for supporting its continuation, while emphasising that the next challenge is to implement the reforms effectively.
Transition to strengthen country-level HIV programmes
The Board took note of the final report of its Working Group and approved the overall strategic direction for the transition.
It also asked the PCB Chair to communicate the decisions to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which oversees the programme’s governance mandate.
The reforms align with the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN system.
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told the Board that the reforms aim to preserve and strengthen the UN’s HIV response while anchoring its delivery more firmly at country level.
Under the proposed model, a smaller, focused UNAIDS Secretariat will lead four core functions, while cosponsoring organisations assume greater responsibility for technical work under the existing division of labour.
Communities will have a stronger role in designing and leading programmes, with human rights, gender equality and inclusive governance remaining central to the response.
The transition will occur in phases, allowing countries to proceed based on their needs and readiness rather than a uniform timetable.
The Board also requested a Transition Task Team comprising Secretariat and cosponsor representatives, alongside two community representatives nominated by the PCB’s NGO delegation.
The team will consult implementing countries and other stakeholders and develop a fully costed implementation plan for Board review.
Countries pledge support amid funding pressures
Several countries have pledged financial and operational support as funding cuts and potential withdrawals threaten UNAIDS’ presence in some locations.
Algerian Ambassador Idris Latreche announced a voluntary contribution of US$40,000 to the UNAIDS country office in Algiers for 2027.
Algeria also provides office space at no cost and supplies national personnel to support the office’s operations.
Other contributing countries include Benin, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Côte d’Ivoire, Kazakhstan, Laos, the Philippines, South Africa and Thailand.
Latreche said the contributions demonstrate a commitment to maintaining an effective UNAIDS presence at the country level, ensuring service continuity and preventing disruptions for people who depend on them.
Board approves 2027 budget and leadership transition
The Board approved the 2027 Work Plan and Budget, which includes simplified performance reporting.
It urged governments that have not yet released their 2026 contributions to do so promptly and encouraged multi-year funding commitments and timely payments for 2027.
Byanyima also informed the Board that her tenure will end on 31 December 2026.
The UN Secretary-General will appoint an interim Executive Director from 1 January 2027 while the Board begins selecting her successor.
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