Why is achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda important for the HIV response? Please share some examples from your country context. by UNSSC Knowledge Centre for Sustainable Development

Richard AMENYAH, in the Caribbean: HIV and the SDGs

2023-04-02 20:03:12 UTC

As UNAIDS, SDG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16 and 17 are critical for ending AIDS and as such i work through joint action with UNAIDS cosponsors (at the UNCT level as well Joint Team level), Governments and Communities as well as donors to ensure the full buy-in in the Global AIDS Strategy, national strategies and UNSDCF to mobilize and align development resources and technical expertise for effective and efficient implementation of the development strategies to leave no one behind.

The UN Joint Team, supports country governments and civil society to generate the evidence needed to mobilize catalytic international resources (from PEPFAR/Global Fund) to address SDG 3.

The Agenda 2030 and the HIV Response - Alberto A Stella, MCO Suthern Cone

2023-04-05 21:30:51 UTC

It is important to achieve the SDGs for the response to HIV because the agenda addresses the social determinants of health and promotes the full exercise of human rights, understanding that peace and sustainable development are not possible without the full exercise of human rights. The Agenda proposes both vertical coherence between different levels of government and horizontal coherence between different sectors. The decentralization of the HIV response in Argentina taking advantage of the Cities and AIDS initiative with the signing of the Paris Declaration is a good example of building this coherence for sustainable development and an effective HIV response, which has been and continues to be a excellent gateway to move the human rights agenda focusing on the most vulnerable and for universal health coverage.

Eric Verschueren Bénin Togo

2023-04-11 09:53:34 UTC

Un portefeuille de 42 projets et réformes prioritaires pour le gouvernement qui découle des 10 ambitions afin d’accompagner la nouvelle vision et les nouveaux axes stratégiques du pays. Les trois axes stratégiques (Axe 1 : Renforcer l’inclusion et l’harmonie sociales et garantir la paix ; Axe 2 : Dynamiser la création d’emplois en s’appuyant sur les forces de l’économie et Axe 3 : Moderniser le pays et renforcer ses structures) sont alignés sur les ODD et viser implicitement la réduction des inégalités. Ca crée donc un terrain propice duquel la riposte au VIH pourra profiter. La même chose pourra être dit pour le Benin où les efforts actuelle dans le Programme National de Développement visent par la prise en compte non seulement de la vision Bénin 2025 Alafia mais également des ODD et de l’Agenda 2063 de l’Afrique à travers l’intégration quadruplement gagnante des thématiques les objectifs suivants : i) croissance économique et transformation structurelle, ii) réduction des inégalités et amélioration de l’inclusion sociale, iii) durabilité environnementale, et iv) gouvernance efficace et inclusive.

YOW - Chad

2023-04-12 14:46:27 UTC

As said previously, the AIDS epidemic cannot be ended without the reduction of poverty, access to quality education, considering gender equality and reducing inequalities in sustainable cities and communities where peace, social justice and partnership are common values and principles. In Chad, for example, reducing inequalities is key in improving the access to health and HIV services. Women could access health services without the authorization of husbands, key populations faced stigma and discrimination. Working with the ministry of Gender and other UN agencies on gender inequalities and human rights contribute to increase the access to Health and HIV services.

2023-04-14 20:23:20 UTC

For me this infographic is a great overview of linkages btw HIV and SDG.

HIV and differents SDG gloals

2023-04-16 17:01:12 UTC

Achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda is essential for the HIV response because the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a holistic framework that addresses various dimensions of development, including health, education, gender equality, and more. By focusing on these interconnected goals, we can create an environment where the HIV response is more effective and sustainable.

Using the specified SDGs (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 11, 16, and 17), we can understand the importance of the 2030 Agenda for the HIV response:

No Poverty: Reducing poverty levels can improve access to essential health services, education, and economic opportunities for people living with HIV, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
Zero Hunger: Adequate nutrition is crucial for maintaining a strong immune system, which is particularly important for people living with HIV. Ensuring food security can help prevent malnutrition and improve the overall health of affected individuals.
Good Health and Well-being: This goal directly focuses on ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic and ensuring universal access to quality healthcare services. Achieving this goal is essential for an effective HIV response.
Quality Education: Providing quality education can lead to increased awareness about HIV prevention, transmission, and treatment, thereby reducing stigma and discrimination.
Gender Equality: Addressing gender inequalities can help empower women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by HIV, by increasing their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Decent Work and Economic Growth: Economic stability can contribute to a more robust HIV response by ensuring that affected individuals have the necessary resources to access prevention, treatment, and support services.
Reduced Inequalities: Reducing inequalities, including those based on income, gender, or social status, can improve the overall quality of life for people living with HIV and ensure equal access to essential services.
Sustainable Cities and Communities: Creating inclusive and sustainable urban environments can facilitate better access to healthcare, education, and support services for people living with HIV.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: Effective governance and strong institutions are crucial for implementing and enforcing policies and programs that address the HIV epidemic.
Partnerships for the Goals: Collaborative efforts between governments, civil society, and the private sector can enhance the global HIV response by mobilizing resources, sharing knowledge, and promoting innovation.

An example of an initiative that aligns with these goals is the Social Protection Royal Initiative, which aims to provide support and assistance to vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV. By addressing poverty, ensuring access to essential services, and promoting social inclusion, the initiative contributes to a comprehensive and sustainable HIV response.

Achieving the SDG agenda and the HIV response in Tanzania

2023-04-17 06:57:26 UTC

Achieving the 2030 agenda is important because it is about ending discrimination and exclusion, and reducing the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind and undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole as well as about eradicating poverty in all its forms which predisposes to vulnerability. On the other hand, the Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026 is a bold new approach to use an inequalities lens to close the gaps that are preventing progress towards ending AIDS. The Global AIDS Strategy aims to reduce these inequalities that drive the AIDS epidemic and prioritize people who are not yet accessing life-saving HIV services. Therefore, the Global AIDS Strategy is premised on achieving the SDG agenda as a means to realising the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
For example in Tanzania, AGYW are disproportionately affected by HIV due to gender and other inequalities. Key populations face stigma and discrimination. Meaningful involvement of HIV affected communities in the AIDS response to ensure sustainable and human rights sensitive programmes that reach out to those left behind is only possible through effective partnerships.

Nuha Ceesay

2023-04-19 08:28:26 UTC

Ending AIDS cannot be achieved whiteout reducing poverty, ending inequalities , ensure gender equality and equity, ensuring access to quality education to all from primary to tertiary and guarantying, peace justice and strong institutions anchored in the spirit of partnership and mutual accountability.
Climate related humanitarian challenges resulting in cyclones, floods, drought, have significantly affected Malawi's progress towards the SDGs.
Therefore building resilient and resilient and sustainable systems across all levels is a major priority focus for Malawi. Malawi is currently implementing number of initiatives and this include but not limited to:
An inclusive Disaster Response and Management Plan which is now backed by a new legislation.
The Health sector strategic plan -HSSPIII and the revised national HIV strategic plan have recognized this challenge and ensured inclusion of responding to HIV in humanitarian settings as priority. The Joint Social Protection Programme, Joint Programme on Girls Education, the high level launch of the Education+ Initiatives by the First Lady in April 2022, space for citizens participation in the democratization processes, transparent and fair elections , civil society participation are among the impressive features that made Malawi standout.

Marc - Mali

2023-04-24 12:11:48 UTC

It is important to achieve the SDGs that is designed to address the global development challenges. Achieving SDGs will lead to an equitable access to opportunities and no one left behind. Addressing inequalities, human rights and building strong partnerships are critical to read the SDGs goals. In Mali, the government has launched an ambitious program to increase HIV prevention, treatment and care services in the humanitarian settings . A second program involving the UN Joint Team and PEPFAR and Global Fund related to ending pediatric AIDS has been also launched in December 2022. A new national strategic plan aligned on the global AIDS strategy has also developed.

Roza Babayan, Armenia

2023-04-25 21:04:36 UTC

The achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda is important because ending AIDS cannot be achieved in isolation from other complementary goals. As we know the central transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda is LNOB. The concept of “people-centered care” emerged in the AIDS epidemic with the recognition that AIDS could not be ended without addressing the multiple factors that influence health, vulnerability, equality and economic independence. In placing the person—with all their complex and interconnected needs—at the centre of the response, services for people living with HIV had to become more integrated, more inclusive and more responsive.
By using the UN LNOB framework, the Armenia CCA analysed how different groups in the country are lagging behind or are at risk of being left further behind, because they are economically, socially, spatially, and/or politically excluded. In Armenia along with others this is the women and girls experiencing different forms of exclusion and discrimination, particularly women with disabilities, those overcoming GBV, minorities, women in rural areas, women living with HIV/AIDS, women living in closed institutions, such as penitentiary and psychiatric institutions.
Youth, especially those living with disabilities and from other vulnerable groups, Children exposed to poverty, stunting or chronic malnutrition, difficulties in accessing quality health care services and education, as well as being
vulnerable to violence and exploitation.
People at risk of being left behind due to
stereotypes, stigma and discrimination, including men, and particularly women living with HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable groups facing identity-based stigma and discrimination. The design of the UN collective efforts for Armenia is underpinned by the 2030 Agenda, and other documents, as well as CCA, and put LNOB concept in the center.
The new Global AIDS Strategy (2021–2026) also put the people at the centre to get the world on-track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.The Strategy places the SDGs that relate to the reduction of inequalities at the heart of its approach to guide and drive action in every country and community.
For example, the Gender inequality, discrimination and harmful practices negatively affect women,
girls, men and boys. Girls and women
are disproportionately vulnerable to, and
affected by, HIV infection.
Programmes designed to educate and
empower girls and women about the risks
of HIV and that enable them to protect
themselves are essential building blocks
of the AIDS response. And yet, however
necessary, they are insufficient. Access
to comprehensive sexuality education
and sexual and reproductive health
services can only be partially successful
in protecting girls and young women from
HIV. Increasing male awareness of the risks of HIV, providing men and boys with the means of prevention and enabling them to change their own behavior and see
the benefits of a balanced and respectful
relationship, are essential to decreasing
the number of new HIV infections and
increasing gender equity.
This example clearly shows the relationship of the Goals and the need to achieve them for ending AIDS.

Lord Dartey, South SudanWorking towards the SDGs ensures peace, prosperity, improved health and education, reduced inequality and inequities, and higher economic growth, while addressing climate change. Achieving many of these interrelated goals will stem the spread of HIV as well as guarantee access to quality services for PLHIV. There are 10 out of the 17 SDGs that are particularly relevant to the AIDS response. These address structural, societal and other factors that make people vulnerable to HIV, promote or prevent access to, and retention in HIV care, or mitigate the impact of HIV on the individual/society. The specific SDGs are: SDG 1: End Poverty. Poverty can aggravate vulnerability to HIV as well as diminish people’s ability to mitigate the impact of HIV, including accessing services. At the same time, households that are affected by HIV are more vulnerable to falling into and remaining in poverty. Thus, economic empowerment and social protection can reduce poverty and HIV vulnerability, as well as keep people living with HIV Healthy. SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Hunger can increase peoples risk-taking behaviours, thus increase their vulnerability to HIV. At the same time, hunger can reduce treatment adherence. Delivering nutritional support as well as integrating nutritional support and HIV services can prevent HIV transmission and enhance HIV treatment outcomes. SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. A good health system is a foundation for increasing access to HIV prevention and treatment services. This goal focuses on universal access to quality health services. Achieving this goal will directly lead to achieving some of the major targets in of the AIDS response. SDG 4: Quality Education. The more educated a people are, the less vulnerable they are to HIV. For instance, keeping girls in school has been found to lead to a reduction of their cumulative risk of HIV infection. Thus schooling, particularly among adolescents for example, is crucial to reducing AGYW vulnerability to HIV. Goal 5: Gender Equality. This goal seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. It is known that violence against women, denial of legal rights and women’s limited access to resources exacerbate women’s vulnerability to HIV. It is also known that harmful gender norms hinder men’s health seeking behaviours including accessing HIV services. Thus, achieving this goal will reduce the vulnerability of women and girls, in particular, to HIV and improve men’s access to services. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. This goal seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Achieving this goal will ensure that work environments are safe and secure, devoid of stigma and discrimination as well as facilitate access to HIV services. SDG 10: Reduced Inequality. This goal aims to reduce inequality within and among countries. It is well known that inequalities, social and economic exclusion undermine people’s ability to protect themselves from HIV. Thus, reducing inequalities will enable people to reduce their vulnerability to HIV infections. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable will ensure that city dwellers will have access to basic services including HIV services. This is crucial, particularly for poor people who live in slums and other deprived parts of cities. SDG 16: Peace Justice and Strong Institutions. This goal seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective accountable institutions at all levels. Strong institutions are required to address legal and other structural barriers, including human rights, stigma and discrimination, access to justice and services for key and vulnerable populations such as MSM, PWUD, Transgender people and adolescents. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Strengthen the means of implementing and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. HIV has demonstrated over the years that global solidarity, broad partnerships at all levels are crucial to set priorities, mobilise resources, innovating and measure progress at all levels. This is even more crucial.

2023-04-25 22:30:54 UTC

Eva Kiwango, South Africa

2023-05-01 08:55:50 UTC

The 17 wide-ranging and ambitious Goals interconnect. A person’s health and well-being are affected not only by disease and treatment, but also by social and economic factors such as housing, poverty and education. The new Global AIDS Strategy intersects the need for broader and systemic transformation advocated for by the 2030 Agenda. It goes beyond considering HIV as a biomedical issue, positioning the HIV response as a multi-sectoral life issue, which requires broader systemic and structural interventions. The Strategy identifies 10 SDGs that are particularly relevant for the response to HIV and AIDS. Progress towards these specific SDGs contributes to ending AIDS. In addition, getting the HIV response on-track to end AIDS by 2030 will ensure achievement of the HIV specific target in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, as well as accelerate gains towards at least 10 SDGs. For example, in South Africa, Adolescent girls and young women bear the brunt of the continuing HIV epidemic. We cannot end the HIV pandemic in South Africa unless we address gender inequalities that fuel new HIV infections and AIDS-related mortality. The South Africa National strategic plan for HIV places the SDGs that relate to the reduction of inequalities at the heart of its approach to guide and drive action in every province, district and community in the country.

Michel - Mozambique

2023-05-01 09:02:44 UTC

To achieve the poverty reduction goals, there are major challenges. First, we need a very serious political commitment on the part of the government. We can't work like we used to, we have to change, we all have to change. We need partnerships, we need an interesting strategy of financing for development, we need to work with a global vision, but with the search for local solutions, serving each province, each district where there is really a lot of needs and a lot of opportunities to improve the quality of life of the population.
A catalogue was developed with "technical recommendations on how to adapt a school to cyclones and floods", for example. A zoning exercise was also carried out in Mozambique, showing which are the high, medium and low risk zones. In some places, winds reach up to 180 km/hour.
A month after Cyclone Freddy – the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record – made a double landfall in central Mozambique, pregnant and breastfeeding women are still bearing the brunt of what is now being called a "triple crisis". With UN support, vulnerable women and girls are receiving greater access to life-saving health and protection services, care and support.

Yuki - Pakistan & Afghanistan

2023-05-01 15:42:50 UTC

Because an effective HIV response requires progress for other SDGs as well. Major challenges and root causes of HIV-related vulnerabilities are related to intersecting inequalities and conditions (e.g. poverty, access to and quality of education, gender equality and empowerment of women, decent work & vocational training, economic empowerment, climate change, peace & security, governance, etc.) that other SDGs are trying to tackle including in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Tharcisse Barihuta /Zambia

2023-05-01 23:07:07 UTC

The 2030 SDG agenda is based on the principles of human wrights , equity , equality, inclusive development making sure no one is left behind. HIV.AIDS epidemic is driven by inequalities of opportunities to have access to education, Health services, employment, gender equality, Food security. Achieving these goals by creating strong Partnership between international community, National public and private sectors to empower the Communities will pave the sustainable response to end AIDS by 2030. In Zambia, the policy of Education free for primary and secondary Education adopted in 2022 is very crucial to reduce drastically new HIV infection among adolescent young girls. National Heath insurance in Zambia have to integrate HIV services for the sustainability of access to services for All. The Local Authority in line with the decentralization policy of the new government is looking at how to allocate funds to HIV program in line with reducing poverty for more vulnerable populations.

Achieving SDGs, ending aids - Lassaad UCD Tunisia

2023-05-12 15:27:14 UTC

Ending aids by 2030 depends on achieving the SDGs by 2030. SDGs address every determinant of the HIV/aids epidemic, from ending poverty to partnerships and financing, while addressing health and well being, inequalities, gender equality, justice and peace, education, better ciries, etc. Ending aids is in the heart of achieving a sustainable development for all.

Importance of achieving SDGs in Brazil

2023-05-15 17:14:52 UTC

Brazil experienced an impressive growth from 2003 to 2013 which raised millons of people out of poverty, reduced hunger and inequalities through its social programs. Since 2014, the economy hit a recession and the country became divided politically as well as other structural issues that impacted the country's progress (declining economic productivity, rising unemployment) in part due to changes in global market values of primary goods. The SDGs have critical for the HIV response in Brazil because it allows us to address the epidemic across other goals and ensure that the response is multisectoral, no one is left behind means people living with HIV and those most vulnerable to HIV. THrough the SDGs, we are able to demonstrate how the government working in partnership with civil society, UN, private sector, legislators and donors can implement strategies that are more sustainable. SDGs have also provided civil society in Brazil with a leadership role and voice on progress towards the 2030 goals. However, it is evident in the country that the implementation of the agenda is far behind due to insufficient financing for development and the impact of COVID and other crises. Historically in Brazil, AIDS activism has gone beyond the the HIV response to such for democracy and legislative policies for those vulnerable populations. It is critical to continue supporting the involvement of civil society working for the AIDS response to be in equal partnership with the government and other actors since the Global AIDS Strategy has place addressing inequalities as critical to ending AIDS by 2030. Brazil has demonstrated the positive changes that result by engaging across different sectors. For example, the creation of federal social support played a key role in providing critical income to the poorest segments of the brazilian populations and showed a reduction in poverty. This also included family support programmes that provided an extra financial benefit per child (0-5 years old) which also contributed to the health and well being of children. The majority of people with HIV or at risk were among the poorest segments. By having them access these programmes, they did not have to decide between using money for transportation to a health center to obtain their medications or eating. Also, the HIV response in Brazil is a good example of how inequalities such as stigma and discrmination affect access to health services. Despite the existence of the Law 12.984, a Brazilian law in effect since June 3, 2014, criminalizes discrimination against individuals based on HIV/AIDS status and violation of the law is punishable with one to four years of prison and a fine, this inequality continues to be the biggest barriers to ending AIDS in the country. The SDGs on inequalities will provide an opportunity for people living with HIV and those most vulnerable to hold the country's leadership and all stakeholders accountable.

Charos Maksud, Uzbekistan

2023-05-16 10:38:20 UTC

As the main principle for 17 SDGs is no one should be left behind requires end of discrimination and rising the inequalities, it is very much interlinked with UNAIDS priorities and therefore with the national HIV response. LNOB principle focuses on discrimination and inequalities (often multiple and intersecting) that undermine the agency of people as holders of rights. Many of the barriers people face in accessing services, resources and equal opportunities are not simply accidents of fate or a lack of availability of resources, but rather the result of discriminatory laws, policies and social practices that leave particular groups of people further and further behind.

In Uzbekistan all key populations are criminalized, and HIV is a sensitive topic which is stigmatized and neglected. UN in the country works jointly with national stakeholders to achieve SDGs and advocate for decriminalization of KPs and address social norms, social exclusion and legal barriers that undermine health and development outcomes.

Lui- Philippines

2023-05-16 13:19:29 UTC

HIV is a concern that goes beyond health. Its intersectionality with other factors such as urbanization, migration, socio-economic among others and cross-cutting issues and synergies between the different goals is the primary reason why achieving the other goals is important in HIV response. In the Philippines, ending the HIV epidemic will mean ending the inequalities in education, gender, socio-economic gap, and uneven access to health services due to geographic differences.

David - India

2023-05-22 09:34:40 UTC

The HIV response transcends so many developmental/equality issues, beyond health into employment, rights and access issues, criminality, gender and so on. In order to effectively address HIV at country level we need to influence and be a part of a unified development process that improves access and opportunities for all. Here in India for example – to ensure the transgender community have access to health services – we not only need to ensure that health services are recognizing the vulnerability of the community but we also need to address access to housing, access to education and so forth. An excellent starting point here has been ensuring that a third gender is recognized and through the Transgender Act ensuring that those rights are specifically recognized. Now we have a legal framework / stepping stone to build on those rights through all of the respective areas.

Isaac - Sierra Leone

2023-06-14 21:48:40 UTC

Quite clearly, the Global AIDS Strategy derives its strength from the SDGs and Agenda 2030. The SDGs can only be achieved if the fundamental drivers of the structural, systemic and social inequalities are addressed. If these inequalities are not addressed the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat will be a mirage. The principle of living no-one behind and reaching the furthest first makes it incumbent for countries to deploy resources and services to most vulnerable populations in need and in the case of HIV, the PLHIV and key populations who are often stigmatized, discriminated and denied access to HIV prevention and life-saving treatment.

Addressing the 10-HIV related SDGs, will provide the enabling environment for better integration of HIV services, address the social determinants of health and make it possible for HIV services to be delivered in an environment free of stigma and discrimination.

Fardad Doroudi UCD Iran: Using PHC capacities for communicable diseases integration eg TB and Hepatitis, link between HIV adolescents and education, SRHR and non-communicable disease programmes and HIV, poverty reduction and its link w HIV support programme, environment intervention and social mobilization for HIV, Peace and HIV move, HIV and citizen rights schemes and legal justice are some examples.

2023-07-30 09:35:34 UTC

Alankar Malviya Botswana

2024-03-14 10:31:10 UTC

Botswana has huge inequalities that are reflected in adverse GINI coefficient, in high GBV and Violence against children. The toxic masculinity leads to unsafe sex, putting girls at risk for HIV. Therefore unless all SDGs are met, country will keep seeing new infections and that is the reason why we have to travel together in this 2030 journey