International AIDS Society calls for immediate action to reverse the current decrease of international funding for AIDS

published on November 10, 2011

Friday, 11 November 2011 (Geneva, Switzerland) – Following the publication of a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation and UNAIDS showing that in 2010 international funding for AIDS fell by 10%, the International AIDS Society (IAS) calls for an urgent reversal of this negative trend.

According to the report, global funding has dropped from $7.6 billion in 2009 to $6.9 million in 2010, a drop registered for the first time in more than a decade. This might be attributable to the reduction in

development assistance, currency exchange fluctuations and the slowdown in the pace of disbursements from the U.S. government.

Even though some experts see this shortfall not as a reduction but as a delay and think funds pledged for 2010 will be paid out in the next years, the IAS emphasizes the importance of an even greater funding commitment.

“Thanks to recent scientific advances, for the first time we have the real opportunity to put a major dent in the epidemic – says Elly Katabira, President of the IAS – we cannot miss this historic moment and, now more than ever, we need funds to keep sustaining scientific implementation”.

Within the last year results of various trials (HPTN 052, CAPRISA among others) demonstrated with solid evidence the efficacy of treatment as prevention, while other studies are currently investigating the possibility of a cure for HIV. In addition to funding for research, all this new science needs funds to translate it from the laboratory to the programmes on the ground worldwide.

At the same time, the IAS calls for a roll out of Combination Prevention as it has been proved that only a synergetic use or different HIV prevention strategies (behavioural risk reduction, male circumcision, condoms, counselling and testing…) can be successful.

Similar concerns were expressed by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a speech given at the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH). During the speech Clinton announced an initiative to increase combination prevention in four countries and urged donors to fund the global response to HIV.

On the occasion of the annual IAS Governing Council meeting, held this year in Kampala, Uganda, from 9 to 11 November, the funding issue has been widely discussed, and some proposals have been put forward:

First, as a stronger commitment from the G8 and G20 countries is at this stage vital, each country contribution could be adjusted according to their GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in order to keep the mechanism transparent and fair.
Also, the creation of a schedule stating yearly target to meet in order to reach the United Nations Millennium Development Goal by 2015 would be tremendously helpful in keeping track of the global efforts and their effectiveness.
The importance of effectiveness and efficiency (E2) in programmes, especially in the case of National AIDS Programmes, is vital to continue to attract funding; in a time of global economic crisis, the HIV/AIDS development community must show that resources invested are well spent.

“As an organization with 16,000 members from all over the world, we are uniquely positioned to convene and mobilize HIV professionals – says Bertrand Audoin, IAS Executive Director – and we can play an important role in E2 programmes. We are currently working on a project aimed at improving the E2 of National AIDS programmes by promoting a greater engagement of HIV professionals”.

About the IAS

The International AIDS Society (IAS) is the world's leading independent association of HIV professionals, with over 16,000 members from more than 196 countries working at all levels of the global response to AIDS. Our members include researchers from all disciplines, clinicians, public health and community practitioners on the frontlines of the epidemic, as well as policy and programme planners. The IAS is the custodian of the biennial International AIDS Conference, which will be held in Washington, D.C., in July 2012, and lead organizer of the IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention.

www.iasociety.org | www.aids2012.org

For general enquiries:
Email: info@iasociety.org
Tel: +41 22 710 0800

For more information:
Sian Bowen (Geneva, Switzerland)
Senior Manager, Communications
Email: Sian.Bowen@iasociety.org
Tel: +41 22 710 0864

Lindsey Rodger (Geneva, Switzerland)
Communications and Media Officer
Email: Lindsey.Rodger@iasociety.org
Tel: +41 22 710 0822

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

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International AIDS Society calls for immediate action to reverse the current decrease of international funding for AIDS

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