37th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) Meeting
(26-28 October 2015)
Agenda Item 2: Update on the AIDS response in the post-2015 development agenda
Intervention by India
Thank you Mr. Chairman,

India is committed to the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. We welcome the adoption of Agenda 2030 and the inclusion of explicit target on ending AIDS epidemic under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ending the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030 will demand sustained resources, political leadership, collective action and a renewed global partnership. The ambitious Agenda 2030 and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda set the tone for the kind of systemic change needed to end the AIDS epidemic everywhere by 2030. We reiterate the value of the lessons learned from the global AIDS response for the 2030 Agenda, including those learned from the unique approach of the Joint Programme. In the post-MDG scenario, it is imperative to consolidate the gains made so far, remain focused on the unfinished agenda, and position AIDS strategically on the global health agenda.

With in the SDGs framework, we need to enhance the interlinkages between the AIDS response and a number of relevant goals, and adopt a multi-sectoral partnership approach. It is encouraging to note that the draft UNAIDS 2016-2021 strategy adopts such an integrated approach to mainstream AIDS response across various SDGs and to get on the Fast- Track to achieve the ultimate target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

India remains commited to further mainstreaming AIDS response to reach the four targets of risk reduction, service integration, impact mitigation and stigma reduction. The National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) has already entered into Memorandum of Understanding with 14 key Ministries and Departments of the Government of India. As a result of the ongoing efforts, different schemes have been modified/ initiated such as access to treatment, nutrition, social security, livelihoods, housing, promoting legal aid, grievance redressal, etc and integrate HIV services within the larger health system.

Mr. Chairman,

We understand the need for the global indicator framework on SDGs to accurately monitor progress on the AIDS response in all countries and for all populations. We support integrating HIV-sensitive indicators under relevant SDGs to encourage and monitor efforts to address the social, political and economic determinants of HIV - from community to global level. In this regard, we note that the Global AIDS Response Progress Reporting (GARPR) system can be a model for monitoring not only the AIDS response but also other complex development challenges of SDGs. While the current list of GARPR indicators is being reviewed and updated to strengthen elements relevant to the SDGs, we should bear in mind that proliferation of indicators will put undue reporting burden on Member States and can have an adverse impact on the efficient use of scare resources. It is important that we do not end up in creating a 'indicator fatigue'.

At the same time, it also important that new indicators being defined under SDGs are relevant and appropriate to the local context in all countries and give equal emphasis for monitoring the Means of Implementation at the global level. UNAIDS should facilitate requisite advocacy efforts and provide technical guidance to assist countries in developing and implementing monitoring frameworks that are best suited for their national circumstances.

Finally, we would like to highlight the importance of effective and innovative programming as the key to move towards end of AIDS, be it in sustaining and strengthening existing approaches and/ or in adopting newer strategies. Developing national capacities to lead the health response along this path should be the focus of the global health dialogue as we look forward to major high-level events on HIV/AIDS in the coming years.

Thank you.
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