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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

1. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, has the governing body of your organization taken (or will it take) any decisions or new strategies to guide the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If any, please provide a brief summary below, including the overarching vision of your organization. 

The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) adopted by consensus a new Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/documents/2021/2021-2026-global-AIDS-strategy to get every country and every community on track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.  The Global AIDS Strategy 2021–2026, End Inequalities, End AIDS, uses an inequalities lens to close the gaps preventing progress to end AIDS and sets out bold new targets and polices to be reached by 2025 to propel new energy and commitment to ending AIDS. The UNAIDS Secretariat and its 11 Cosponsors worked to develop the new strategy, which received inputs from more than 10 000 stakeholders from 160 countries. It is explicitly anchored in Agenda 2030 and organized SDGs where shared progress will be critical to ending AIDS as a public health threat. 

Coherent and integrated support, as called for in the 2030 Agenda, is a pillar of the UNAIDS Strategy which outlines how UNAIDS will lead and coordinate the AIDS response, address social, economic and political drivers of the AIDS epidemic, leverage the AIDS response to tackle broader global health challenges, and ensure no one is left behind. 

The Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, adopted in 2021: https://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/2021_political-declaration-on-hiv-and-aids_en.pdf  include targets to support the SDGs. Member States used most of the targets from the UNAIDS 2021-2026 Strategy, adopted by the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board 3 months earlier to articulate the targets in the Political Declaration. 

 

2.1 SDG-specific strategies, plans or work programmes 

Within UNAIDS Strategy, the following pages provide elaboration on how UNAIDS engages in coherent and integrated support as called for in the 2030 Agenda: 

- P9 Executive Summary The Strategy is being adopted during the Decade of Action to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and makes explicit contributions to advance goals and targets across the SDGs.7 

- P14- 15 

- P22 - 33  

- P36-38  How HIV affects progress towards the SDG  

- P66-77 

- P121-125,127 ('How UNAIDS will deliver on this Strategy', including focus on core aspects: information, investment, inclusion, integration, innovation) 

 

2.2 Aligning the structure of the organization with the transformative features of the 2030 Agenda, including any challenges and lessons learned in doing so 

UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF) for 2022-2026 (PCBSSOct_2022-2026_UBRAF_Framework_EN.pdf (unaids.org)) presents, guides and operationalizes the Joint Programme’s contribution to the successful implementation of the evidence-informed Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 — End Inequalities. End AIDS. and the ambitious UN General Assembly 2021 Political Declaration on HIV including the global 2025 targets aiming to progress towards to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the SDGs. The UBRAF also outlines the nature of the Joint Programme’s strategic support to countries, with an emphasis on its comparative advantages in the HIV response, such as tackling inequalities and enabling inclusive, sustainable national HIV responses that leave no one behind. 

The Joint Programme focuses on the people most in need and reducing the inequalities that drive the HIV epidemic and undermine the abilities of people at risk of, living with and/or affected by HIV to access HIV lifesaving services, social protection and financial support systems and enjoy their human rights through addressing addressing social and structural barriers. In situating its collaborative efforts within a larger development context, the Joint Programme works to generate and strengthen synergies between HIV-specific actions and broader development, gender equality and human rights initiatives and thereby contributes to a wide range of areas, including humanitarian responses, social protection, education, efforts to promote more sustainable cities, social justice and innovative financing for development. Indeed, the Joint Programme’s unique set up (as a Cosponsoring organization with 11 Cosponsors and the Secretariat) and work at global, regional and country levels enables a multisectoral response to the multidimensional nature of the global AIDS epidemic to contribute to progress towards achieving the SDGs. It uses an approach that mobilizes political, technical, innovative and scientific developments and financial resources; guides policy and programmatic changes; empowers effective national and community leadership; convenes dialogues and catalyzes capacities while promoting mutual accountability and a human rights-based and gender equality approach in the HIV response to progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.  

The Joint programme also reinforces the UN system’s efforts with those of communities, civil society, national governments, academia, the private sector, global, regional and national institutions and people at risk of, living with and/or affected by to address underlying challenges in the HIV response. It also support countries and communities to ensure that lessons from and gains in the HIV response–– such as inclusive governance and multisectoral platforms, empowerment of key populations, and community-led responses––accelerate progress across the SDGs and in particular pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. 

The UBRAF present a clearer alignment between roles, accountabilities and resource levels within the Joint Programme to deliver ever-greater value for communities and countries. This builds on the systems and practices of the refined operating model in place since 2018, with a view to:  1) further strengthen the emphasis on joint more integrated programming and work including policy guidance and delivery aligned with people-centred targets; 2) become a more knowledge sharing organization with worldwide community of practices in key areas (science, services and system for all, data for impact, equality and rights for all and equitable financing) 3) improve the strategic focus and catalytic impact of joint programmes at country and regional levels; and 4) maintain and expand technical partnerships and coalition building beyond the Joint Programme including the use of innovations and creative approaches to tap into the collective power of the UN system while ensuring mutual accountability.  

Aligned with the SDG linkages identified in the Global AIDS Strategy, the 2022-2026 UBRAF includes a high level mapping of the indicative and main contributions of the Joint Programme Result Areas to specific 10 SDGs (1,2,3,4,5,8,10,11,17) (see Annex 2 PCBSSOct_2022-2026_UBRAF_Framework_EN.pdf (unaids.org)). It provides a general overview while recognizing the intersectionality and multidimensional nature of the HIV response and the Joint Programme’s scope of work on HIV and beyond.  

Taking into account and the opportunities of ongoing UN reform and the broader context of Agenda 2030, the Joint Programme enhances collaboration with stakeholders with greater cohesion and fully embedding of UN reform across its work in alignment with the recommendations of the 2020 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) including active support for the repositioning of the UN Development System.  Remaining at the forefront of UN reform in action, in alignment 2030 Agenda and building on past lessons learned, the Joint Programme is further enhancing its effectiveness through key organizational and process optimization changes as described in the UBRAF. This will include optimizing and leveraging its capacities including a Secretariat better ‘fit for purpose’ through a realignment including close collaboration with RC offices; an updated Division of Labour aligned with the Global AIDS Strategy and Cosponsors’ capacity assessment.  

Building on long experience in joint planning for collective results, evidence-based interventions and inclusive approaches, the Joint Teams on AIDS continue to advance the work of the UN Country Teams and support the efforts of the UN Resident Coordinator’s system. In the UBRAF, cuntry-level joint work has been prioritized and will continue to be reinvigorated for tailored support to countries that considers their contexts, priorities and needs including implementation of UBRAF country envelopes to fund priority actions of UN Joint Plans on HIV as part of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSCDFs). Further opportunities to collaborate with other UN entities will be pursued in particular to foster alliances to address intersectional vulnerabilities and ensure that matters pertinent to ending AIDS are effectively integrated across the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. 

Major challenges include the remaining various inequalities that drive HIV epidemic and especially women and girls, key and other vulnerable populations and to tackle societal and structural barriers that impede access to HIV services and rights, the impact of COVD-19, insufficient political commitment and international and domestic investments for HIV including gaps in resources for UNAIDS. 

UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF) for 2022-2026 (PCBSSOct_2022-2026_UBRAF_Framework_EN.pdf (unaids.org)) presents, guides and operationalizes the Joint Programme’s contribution to the successful implementation of the evidence-informed Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 — End Inequalities. End AIDS. and the ambitious UN General Assembly 2021 Political Declaration on HIV including the global 2025 targets aiming to progress towards to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the SDGs. The UBRAF also outlines the nature of the Joint Programme’s strategic support to countries, with an emphasis on its comparative advantages in the HIV response, such as tackling inequalities and enabling inclusive, sustainable national HIV responses that leave no one behind. 

The Joint Programme focus on the people most in need and reducing the inequalities that drive the HIV epidemic and undermine the abilities of people at risk of, living with and/or affected by HIV to access HIV lifesaving services, social protection and financial support systems and enjoy their human rights through addressing addressing social and structural barriers. In the spirit of the 2030 Agenda, the Joint Programme’s unique set up (as a Cosponsoring organization with 11 Cosponsors and the Secretariat) and work at global, regional and country levels enables a multisectoral response to the multidimensional nature of the global AIDS epidemic to contribute to progress towards achieving the SDGs. It uses an approach that mobilizes political, technical, innovative and scientific developments and financial resources; guides policy and programmatic changes; empowers effective national and community leadership; convenes dialogues and catalyzes capacities while promoting mutual accountability and a human rights-based and gender equality approach in the HIV response to progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The Joint programme also reinforces the UN system’s efforts with those of communities, civil society, national governments, academia, the private sector, global, regional and national institutions and people at risk of, living with and/or affected by to address underlying challenges in the HIV response 

Aligned with the SDG linkages identified in the Global AIDS Strategy, the 2022-2026 UBRAF includes a high level mapping of the indicative and main contributions of the Joint Programme Result Areas to specific 10 SDGs (1,2,3,4,5,8,10,11,17) (see Annex 2 PCBSSOct_2022-2026_UBRAF_Framework_EN.pdf (unaids.org)). It provides a general overview while recognizing the intersectionality and multidimensional nature of the HIV response and the Joint Programme’s scope of work on HIV and beyond.  

An estimated budget distribution by SDG is included in the 2022–2023 Workplan and Budget approved by UNAIDS PCB end 2021 (see table 7 in  PCB__49_UBRAF_2022-2023_Workplan_EN.pdf (unaids.org)), in compliance to the new UN Data Standards for UN System-wide reporting of financial data and mandatory requirement of related report 1 January 2022. 

Remaining at the forefront of UN reform in action, in alignment 2030 Agenda and building on past lessons learned, the Joint Programme is further enhancing its effectiveness through key organizational and process optimization changes as described in the UBRAF. This will include optimizing and leveraging its capacities including a Secretariat better ‘fit for purpose’ through a realignment including close collaboration with RC offices; an updated Division of Labour aligned with the Global AIDS Strategy and Cosponsors’ capacity assessment. As per the Division of Labour, the Cosponsors contribute their collective mandates, comparative advantages and expertise in a complementary manner, with each agency leading and contributing to the Joint Programme’s HIV response and the UBRAF results areas. The UNAIDS Secretariat provides leadership, advocacy and communication; partnerships, mobilization and innovation; lead strategic information and monitoring of the global AIDS response; coordination, convening and country implementation support; and ensures governance and mutual accountability (including evaluation) to support the Joint Programme’s effective response. 

Taking into account and the opportunities of ongoing UN reform and the broader context of Agenda 2030, the Joint Programme enhances collaboration with stakeholders with greater cohesion and fully embedding of UN reform across its work in alignment with the recommendations of the 2020 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) including active support for the repositioning of the UN Development System. The UBRAF present a clearer alignment between roles, accountabilities and resource levels within the Joint Programme to deliver ever-greater value for communities and countries. This builds on the systems and practices of the refined operating model in place since 2018, with a view to:  1) further strengthen the emphasis on joint more integrated programming and work including policy guidance and delivery aligned with people-centred targets at country, regional and global levels; 2) become a more knowledge sharing organization with worldwide community of practices in key areas (science, services and system for all, data for impact, equality and rights for all and equitable financing) 3) improve the strategic focus and catalytic impact of joint programmes at country and regional levels; and 4) maintain and expand technical partnerships and coalition building beyond the Joint Programme including the use of innovations and creative approaches to tap into the collective power of the UN system while ensuring mutual accountability. Further to the refined operating model, country-level joint work has been prioritized and will continue to be reinvigorated for tailored support to countries that considers their contexts, priorities and needs including implementation of country envelopes to fund priority actions of UN Joint Plans on HIV as part of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSCDFs). 

Major challenges include the remaining various inequalities that drive HIV epidemic and especially women and girls, key and other vulnerable populations and to tackle societal and structural barriers that impede access to HIV services and rights, the impact of COVD-19, insufficient political commitment and international and domestic investments for HIV including gaps in resources for UNAIDS. 

2.3 Readjusting or updating results-based budgeting and management, including performance indicators: 

The 2016-2021 UBRAF included  a set of clear results areas, results-based budgeting and clear set of indicators the Joint Programme has reported though its annual Performance Monitoring report to the PCB (see 2020 report available at:  Results | Portal (unaids.org) and with the last report of the cycle due by June 2022). 

As part of the new UBRAF and 2022-2023 Workplan and Budget, results-based budgeting has been enhanced with a clear alignment with the new UBRAF results framework. The expected results as per the Joint Programme Result Areas, and the Joint Programme biennial workplans, capture the overall work of the Joint Programme, which is funded through core and non-core resources. The budget is informed by the theory of change and the UBRAF results framework and reflects the respective human and financial resource requirements with ‘value for money’. The Joint Programme’s resource allocation process aims to catalyze strategic, prioritized action to address urgent and persistent gaps in the HIV response. While the Joint Programme leverages the full power of its collective capacities, the UBRAF resources are meant to be catalytic, to leverage and optimize Joint Programme capacities, and to foster the mobilization of other national and international investments including from Cosponsors. 

The methodology for resource allocation combine a principles-based approach and a more evidence, results based and incentivizing approach for evidence-informed intervention. It promotes the three overarching objectives of the Refined Operating Model, approved by the PCB in 2017: 1) to deploy human and financial resources where they are needed most; 2) to reinvigorate country-level joint work and collaborative action; and 3) to reinforce accountability and results for people 

The Joint Programme ensures continuous, sound, timely and quality processes and mechanisms as well as learning and knowledge management throughout the UBRAF cycle of planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and accountability. In its ability to structure innovative joint and multisectoral planning, implementation monitoring and reporting across 12 UN entities at all levels, the UBRAF remains unique in the UN system. 

With regards to performance indicators for the 2022-2026 UBRAF, taking into account past learning, a draft set of indicators was submitted to the PCB December 2021 session (see Agenda item 4: 2022-2026 UBRAF Outputs and Indicators | UNAIDS and Agenda item 4: 2022-2023 Workplan and Budget | UNAIDS) which the PCB took note of. As per the PCB decisions (Microsoft Word – PCB49_Decisions_EN.docx (unaids.org), the complete indicator matrix for 2022-026 and first biennium 2022-2023 will be submitted to the June 2022 PCB with the first related performance reporting due to the PCB in June 2023 

2.4 Action to enhance support to the principle of "leaving no one behind" and to integrated policy approaches: 

In line while the Global AIDS Strategy and articulated in the new UBRAF 2022-2026, the Joint Programme indeed applies the ‘leaving no one behind’ principles with a particular focus on reducing inequalities and the most in needs informed by evidence. As leading the global AIDs response, UNAIDS support the global response and countries to generate data (as par a jointly developed and agreed Global AIDS Monitoring framework) and related analysis to identify progress and gaps with disaggregated data on populations left behind as well as identify integrated policy guidance, solutions and innovative approaches including community led response. This was for example the focus on the last global AIDS Update (2021 World AIDS Day report — Unequal, unprepared, under threat: why bold action against inequalities is needed to end AIDS, stop COVID-19 and prepare for future pandemics | UNAIDS) and other thematic reports, developed jointly by the Secretariat and Cosponsors, focusing on specific populations (e.g., women and girls, people in closed settings, HIV and migrants…). In all aspects of its work, UNAIDS also strives to expand the space and elevate the voice of the voiceless communities. 

The annual Performance Monitoring Report includes multiple examples of integrated global and country policy guidance, joint initiatives and other knowledge products developed by the Joint Programme (Results | Portal (unaids.org), see in particular the Strategy Results Area and regional and country reports). 

At the country level, the UN Common Country Assessment and UNSCDFs are always used as the primary in-country strategic reference document which the UN Joint Plans on HIV which are led and implemented by Joint UN Teams on AIDS and capture the collective contribution to the UN system to the national HIV response. Those UN Joint Plan and UN Joint Teams on HIV are the conduit for well-coordinated, effective support and integrated policy guidance to national stakeholders and in coordination with other partners. 

 

3.1 Mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies or through national sustainable development plans/strategies: 

Through its multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder approach, the UNAIDS Strategy aims to advance country-level progress towards ending AIDS while contributing to broader health, development, gender and rights outcomes. The entire Strategy promotes the advancement of a rights-based, inclusive approach that ensures a people-centred response built on participation of civil society, women, young people, people living with HIV and key populations - leaving no one behind. 

 

3.2 Mainstreaming the SDGs in sectoral strategies, including specific SDG/target strategies: 

Through implementation of the Strategy, UNAIDS supports countries in implementing the 2030 Agenda and achieving the SDGs, with a focus on the intersection of the SDG on health with other SDGs. This includes providing technical assistance on mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies, both within and beyond the health sector; data and statistical capacity building, including through innovative data visualisation tools ("situation rooms"); and the advancement of multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral partnerships. 

 

4.1 Supporting the intergovernmental body of your organization in contributing to the thematic review of the HLPF: 

UNAIDS has engaged closely in the HLPF work, supporting country engagement and reporting for the VNR process and facilitating partners engagement in the process. At the 2017 HLPF, UNAIDS also organized a high-level side event focused on leaving no one behind. The panel discussion focused on how to create and consolidate partnerships that foster community empowerment and inclusive societies in the SDG era. 

 

4.2 Contributing to policy/background briefs for the HLPF: 

Yes 

 

4.3 Helping organize SDG-specific events in the preparatory process: 

Yes 

 

4.4 Organizing side evens or speaking at the HLPF: 

Yes 

 

4.5 Supporting VNR process: 

Yes 

 

5. How has your organization cooperated with other UN system organizations to achieve coherence and synergies in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? In this regard, has your organization launched or intend to launch any joint programmes or projects in collaboration with other UN entities? Are there any results or lessons you would like to highlight that might help improve the design and impact of such efforts? Has your organization participated in any of the following coordination systemwide mechanisms or any other relevant platform - CEB, UNDG, EC-ESA Plus, RCMs, UN-Energy, UN-Water, UN-Ocean, IAEG, IATT?  Please specify which and indicate any suggestions you may have about improving collaborations within and across these mechanisms/platforms: 

Intra-agency and even joint and multisectoral programme work is at the very heart of UNAIDS  mandate and every aspect of its work as a joint and cosponsored programme at the global, regional and country level with everyday contacts between the UNAIDS 11 Cosponsors and the Secretariat. The UBRAF is a unique joint strategic planning tool in the UN system uniting the work, results, budget and accountability including reporting of 12 UN entities and also very much aligned with the UN reform. At the country level UNAIDS works through Joint UN Teams on AIDS which are composed of all Cosponsors present in-country (established by the SG as a part of the RC system in 2003) and UN Joint UN Plans on HIV which serve as the joint planning framework for all UN work relating to HIV  in-country as part of the UNSDCFs. In 2020, 96 UN Joint Teams on HIV were functional in 96 countries and 88 Joint UN Plans were developed for 2020 with 84 receiving incentivized UNAIDs joint country funding envelops. Joint reporting on those UN Joint Plans which feature, together with the annual Performance Monitoring Report on UNAIDS Results & Transparency Portal is another good practice (available at: Countries | Portal (unaids.org). This is also possible thanks to to the Joint Programme Monitoring System (JPMS), a common planning and reporting system at country, regional and global levels which is used by the UNAIDS Secretariat and the 11 Cosponsors.   

All UNAIDS major publications are developed jointly or in consultation with Cosponsors. All major data and information systems and tools, including AIDSinfo, key populations atlas, etc. are open source and available free. These platforms have supported and informed numerous UN organisations.  

UNAIDS website regularly publishes web-stories highlighting joint UN work and achievements, in addition to providing links to Cosponsor sites on thematic areas.  

UNAIDS has launched or contributes to various global strategic initiatives and innovative partnerships with its relevant Cosponsors, other UN entities, partners ands civil society. This includes for example the Global Prevention Coalition, Global Partnership to eliminate stigma and discrimination, Fast Track cities Initiatives, Education Plus Initiative etc… 

UNAIDS actively engages in the CEB, UNDG, HLCM and HLCP. 

 

6. How has your organization engaged with stakeholder groups, both in supporting implementation at the country, regional and global levels, and within your own organization? If yes, please provide main highlights, including any lessons learned: 

Through its multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder approach, the Global AIDS  Strategy aims to advance country-level progress towards ending AIDS while contributing to broader health, development, gender and rights outcomes. The Global Strategy was informed by a wide consultative process. 

The Strategy aim are reducing inequalities that drive the HIV epidemic, greatly affects communities access to HIV services and their rights and hamper progress towards the end of AIDS. It includes 3 strategic priorities and 10 results areas to promotes the advancement of a rights-based, inclusive approach that ensures a people-centred response built on participation of civil society, women, young people, people living with HIV and key populations - leaving no one behind.  

Efforts to close access gaps among populations currently being left behind prioritize integration of HIV care with related services, which enhances the impact of the HIV response, reduces commodity costs and capitalizes on alternative service delivery models, and removing punitive laws and policies, as well as stigma and discrimination that negatively impact on the access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. 

Itself a pioneering partnership within the UN system, partnerships have been critical for more effective global, regional and national HIV responses has been at the center of UNAIDS work since its creation. UNAIDS UBRAF 2022-2026 further prioritize collaboration with other stakeholders, as along with actions to further build national capacities and empower communities to catalyze the strategic actions that are required to reduce inequalities and get the world back on-track to end AIDS as a public health threat. The UBRAF and 2022-2023 Worklan and Budget list key partnership, within and beyond the UN system for each of the 10 results areas and in particular with communities for a more community-led response that is critical to leave no one behind 

 

 

7. Has your organization organized any conferences, forums or events designed to facilitate exchange of experience, peer and mutual learning? If yes, please provide a brief summary below and include lessons learned and gaps identified based on the outcomes of these events. Please also include any events you plan to organize in the coming years. 

The UNAIDS Secretariat facilitates regular knowledge exchanges: 

first, in the context of the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) of the UNAIDS Joint Programme where two types of events are organized: a thematic segment of the PCB and a field visit. 

second, in activities at country level in the Joint UN Teams on AIDS. 

And third, in the context of other UN and multilateral meetings, such as the Social Forum of the Human Rights Council, where at its 2017 session, the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of the HIV epidemic and other communicable diseases and epidemics was presented. 

Furthermore, the UNAIDS joint Programme leverages International AIDS conferences (Durban in 2015), Francophone AIDS conferences and regional conferences such as ICASA in Africa (Côte d'Ivoire in 2016) and APAC in Asia-pacific to promote knowledge exchanges. 

Lessons learned: the mix of international, regional and local events constitute an important strategy to share knowledge, but it is also an important opportunity to promote a global supportive movement which is essential for the realization of the 2030 Agenda. 

 

8. Is there any other information you would like to share, including annual reports of your organization and any impact assessment or evaluation reports? If yes, please use the space below and attach the document(s). Please also use this space to provide any other information, comments or remarks you deem necessary: 

Reporting 

Through the annual reporting process, UNAIDS Performance Monitoring Report and its accompanying documents provide the PCB and the broader public with a clear, strategic and integrated overview of UNAIDS progress and achievements. The Report also highlights joint progress at country level; demonstrates the catalytic role, added value and effectiveness of the Joint Programme; and identifies specific challenges and lessons learned from HIV programme implementation. It also documents the contributions of the Joint Programme to the development and implementation of wider UN-led initiatives towards the achievement of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda and UN Reform.  

The Joint Programme Results and Transparency portal, which supplements the qualitative and quantitative data presented in the Performance Monitoring Report package, will continue to serve as the main platform for timely and quality comprehensive reporting and features significant information including UNAIDS revenue and spending,  flow of Joint Programme resources mobilized by the Joint Programme; donors’ profiles and funding trends; country-by-country reports of the UN Joint Teams on; International Aid Transparency Initiative financial data including access to the UNAIDS IATI registry (Secretariat only); and case studies and infographics.  

UNAIDS Secretariat is part of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), a voluntary, multistakeholder initiative that seeks to improve the transparency of aid, development and humanitarian resources and develop related international standards for reporting and publishes information accordingly. 

Guided by the PCB and UN standards and requirements for programmatic and financial reporting (including clear linkages to the SDG), further and continuous improvements to ensure integrated, streamlined, quality reporting. These improvements more clearly demonstrate linkages between investments and results and efficiencies. They also ensure that the reporting reflects the catalytic nature of the Joint Programme’s work, is proportionate to investments, reduces duplication and enhances synergies with other mandatory UN system-wide reporting (e.g., QCPR, UN Funding Compact, UN SWAP, and UN INFO).  

In addition to the annual UN QCPR survey, UNAIDS reporting on QCPR including the UN Funding Compact to the PCB in June 2020. 

2020 Annual Performance Monitoring Report: Results | Portal (unaids.org) 

UNAIDS Results & Transparency Portal: Transparency Portal (unaids.org) 

Joint Programme and Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy review (QCPR), 2020 report to the PCB including UNAIDS data for the UN Funding compact : Agenda item 4.1: CRP1: Joint Programme and QCPR | UNAIDS 

Evaluations: To strengthen accountability, transparency, organizational learning and change, UNAIDS has elevated evaluations in recent years with strengthening of its evaluation function through the establishment of an independent Evaluation Office as a structurally and functionally separate unit of the UNAIDS Secretariat reporting to the Programme Coordinating Board (PCB). 

Additional resources have been dedicated to evaluation. Based on the range recommended by the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU/REP/2014/6), the UNAIDS PCB has established that 1% of UNAIDS’ annual expenditure is to be allocated to the evaluation function.  

Every two years, an evaluation plan is developed through a consultative process involving the Cosponsors, the Secretariat and an expert advisory committee on evaluation before being presented to the PCB for approval. An annual progress report on evaluation is presented to the PCB and a semi-annual update is presented to the PCB Bureau. 

The scope of the evaluations carried out by the UNAIDS Evaluation Office includes the HIV-related activities of all 11 Cosponsors and the UNAIDS Secretariat, which are carried out together with the evaluation offices of the Cosponsors, as well as UNAIDS Secretariat-specific evaluations. A priority of the UNAIDS Evaluation Office is to promote system-wide and joint evaluations of the response to HIV as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

For more information on UNAID evaluations: UNAIDS Evaluation office | UNAIDS 

UNAIDS Evaluation Policy: UNAIDS Evaluation Policy 

Evaluation Plan 2022-2021: PCB45 Evaluation Plan (unaids.org) 

Annual report on evaluation (2021) and evaluation plan 2022-2023: Agenda item 5: Evaluation | UNAIDS 

2022 Annual Report on Evaluations: 2020 Annual report on evaluation (unaids.org) 

 

 

9. In your view, what should a strategic plan for the UN system in support of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs look like? What key elements should it include and major challenges address in such a road map? 

A strategic plan should seek to: 

- Act on low-hanging fruit: Need to demonstrate that the UN can take swift action - choose one or two areas where it can quickly reposition, and feature this as an example of substantive change and progress (for example, in the way the SG led the development of the System-Wide Strategy on Gender Parity) 

- Focus on results and value added of the UN: governance and mandates should not get in the way of prioritisation and a focus on quality, excellence, results and value added of the UN, particularly related laws, norms, human rights, common positions and regional public goods. The importance of drawing on the comparative advantages of the UN and the need to ensure consistency, coherence and coordination at the regional level were highlighted and the role of the UN in providing thought leadership and ensuring policy coherence was stressed throughout the day. 

- Be forward-looking: Need to use data, science and evidence as basis for policy and joint and predictive analyses - not just identifying solutions to today's problems, but also where problems might be in the future. Key for the UN to position itself as a leader today and in the future. 

 

10. Please indicate one or two endeavor or initiatives you suggest that the UN system organizations could undertake together to support the implementation of the SDGs between now and 2030: 

Work planning and reporting - Stronger message on UN responding to cross-cutting needs of countries not UN entity mandates. Concrete recommendation: UN should deliver one consolidated report per country on strategic high-level results, not every entity reporting separately. 

On data, the UN should be more ambitious. It should not only be about disaggregating data but pooling data. Concrete recommendation: UN should provide a one-stop-shop for data for the SDGs - where members of the public can see real-time data - would drive democratization of data, accountability and citizen engagement e.g. situation room for AIDS - why not health? UNICEF Magic Box for SDGs? 

 

ECESA Plus Member
Year of submission: 2020