UN Transcripts — https://transcripts.un.org/ar/briefing/sg/2026-06-22
AIDS, Peacebuilding Week, Secretary-General/Travel & other topics - Daily Press Briefing — 22 June 2026
Language: en
Automatically generated transcript — may contain errors. Not an official United Nations record.

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Speaker 1 [15:24]:

Okay, great. Hello. Happy Monday. Just wanted to give you all some updates on what's happening in the GA this week. It's a busy week with a lot of informal meetings. As you all will hear from the briefing guest today, the high-level meeting on HIV and AIDS is happening today and tomorrow, both with meetings in the General Assembly but also in various conference rooms around the building. This morning, they did consider the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, and there will be a number of thematic meetings that are happening around the building today and tomorrow as well. This morning at 10 AM there were also— they continued informal consultations on the political declaration to renew commitment and accelerate implementation of the New Urban Agenda, and that will be happening throughout the week, those continued discussions. There also in the afternoon at 3 o'clock in Conference Room 2, there are informal consultations on the 9th biennial review of the United Nations Global Counterterrorism Strategy that has also been in ongoing discussions. There will be thematic panel discussions happening on HIV and AIDS in the afternoon, both in the Trusteeship Council Chamber and also in Conference Room 1. There will also be consultations on the modalities of the political declaration of the high-level meeting to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Durban Programme of Declaration and Programme of Action. That's all happening today. Tomorrow in the morning and afternoon, the continued consultations on the political declaration on sea level rise. There is also tomorrow in Conference Room 4 consultations on the implementation of the International Decade of People of African Descent. At 11:45 AM, there will be the 91st Plenary, which will continue the HIV/AIDS meeting, and also in the afternoon, That will continue as well. On Wednesday, the sea level rise consultations will continue. And in the morning and afternoon tomorrow— sorry, on Wednesday, there will be a Joint General Assembly ECOSOC special thematic event on the midterm review of the Doha Program of Action for Least Developed Countries. And that will take place in the General Assembly in the morning and then continue in Conference Room 1 in the afternoon. And at 10:00 AM in Conference Room 2 on Wednesday, there are informal consultations on— to review of the outcome document on the Second High-Level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation. On Thursday, there— the continued informal consultations on improving global road safety will take place in the morning and afternoon. In the morning, there's a plenary meeting in the General Assembly Hall, which will complete the election of members of the Economic and Social Council. As you all may remember, there were elections a few weeks ago, and there is one remaining vacancy for a member from among the Latin America and Caribbean group. And so that will happen tomorrow. There is a joint debate on the report of the Peacebuilding Commission. They will also consider the report of the Secretary-General on the Peacebuilding Fund. There is action on the draft decision on improving global road safety, as well as action on the draft resolution and draft decision on Agenda Item 14, which is on the culture of peace, and that includes naming the next decade as the International Decade of Strengthening Peace. There will also be continued discussions on the New Urban Agenda, and at 3 PM on Thursday, there are informal consultations on the participation of indigenous peoples' representatives and institutions. On Friday morning, June 26th, there will be an informal meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate United Nations Charter Day. And this year's commemoration for UN Charter Day will include statements by the PGA, a reading of the Charter preamble in all 6 official languages by youth representatives and youth participants, and statements by member states. And this is not only a moment for reflection. The PGA wants this to be a call to action to member states from all over the world who are committed to the UN Charter and multilateralism with the United Nations at its center to come together and to form cross-regional alliances in defense and support of the United Nations. Every member state needs to stand up to protect and uphold the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. So member states have been invited to sign a preamble of the UN Charter, which is outside of GA Hall. Symbolizing the collective resolve of the membership to advance and to uphold the Charter's vision. And the Charter will be formally displayed in the General Assembly Hall during the UN Charter Day commemoration on Friday. Then in the afternoon, in Conference Room 2, the consideration and discussion on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda will continue. Those are the updates for this week. I hope you were all able to follow the continued SG selection process. Last week with the interactive dialogues that were held, and I don't have any updates in that regard.

Great. No questions. Excellent. Thanks all so much.


UN · Stéphane [31:10]:

Greetings and salutations. All right, good afternoon. Welcome. In a short while I'll be joined by my guest, Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS. She'll be here to brief you as the General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS kicks off today until tomorrow. And this morning at that very meeting, our Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, spoke on the Secretary-General's behalf. She pointed out the progress over the past years in dealing with the disease, noting that AIDS-related deaths have been reduced by 70% since their peak in 2004 and by 54% since 2010. HIV prevention and treatment services have been reduced, new infections by 40% in the same period, she added. But the Deputy Secretary-General did warn that AIDS is not over. At the end of 2024, 9.2 million people in need still lacked access to HIV treatment, and 1.3 million acquired HIV. Most tragically, 630,000 lives were lost to AIDS-related deaths. The Secretary-General's remarks underscored 5 priorities to face the AIDS challenge: to close the widening gaps in access to prevention, treatment, care, and services; to continue ensuring the leadership of communities in the HIV response; respect for human rights; adequate financing; and a revival of the multilateral spirit that has driven HIV response from the very start. Those remarks were shared with you. Also today, we mark the first-ever Peacebuilding Week, an important milestone, which is 20 years since the inaugural session of the Peacebuilding Commission, and also 20 years since the establishment of the Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund. More than 50 events in New York and 20 around the world are being organized here at headquarters today. A joint session of the Peacebuilding Commission and the Economic Social Council is taking place through 1 PM on advancing social cohesion through job creation in peacebuilding context. Also on Thursday, the Secretary-General will deliver remarks at the Peacebuilding Commission's annual session, which will take place in the General Assembly Hall. And a reminder, at 1:30 PM in this very room, we hope to find you here for the briefing where we will be joined by Elizabeth Spehar, the Assistant Secretary-General, Head of the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office, alongside Omar Hilal, the Permanent Representative of Morocco to the United Nations and current President of the Peacebuilding Commission— Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, and the Permanent Representative of Egypt, Ihab Mustafa Awad Mustafa, and Slovenia's Ambassador Samuel Žobogar. They will provide an overview of the Peacebuilding Week and the importance of investing in prevention and peacebuilding at a time of global challenges. That's at 1:30 PM. I know it's a busy day. Meanwhile, our Secretary-General is arriving in London, where he will attend a series of events taking place during London Climate Action Week. He will deliver a special address on climate energy tomorrow morning in London, outlining how renewable energies offers the clearest route to energy security, to affordability, and to resilience, and also underscoring the destructive role played by fossil fuels in the climate— crisis and energy crisis we face. Those remarks have been shared with you. And from Ukraine, the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us they've received reports from Ukrainian authorities that nearly 40 civilians were killed over the weekend, including one child, and nearly 250 others were injured, including a dozen children. The attacks also damaged homes, critical energy, port, and transportation infrastructure. Frontline regions were particularly affected, including the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kherson, and Donetsk. Attacks on industrial facilities in the region of Poltava also killed and injured more than a dozen civilians, including children, according to the authorities. And in the region of Odessa, attacks struck an agricultural enterprise and several civilian vessels, killing, killing a number of people. Including an Egyptian national and injuring 2 others. That's what authorities are telling us. Attacks on energy infrastructure left parts of 7 regions without electricity, and with the regions of Donetsk and Kherson heavily affected, nearly 1,400 people were evacuated over the weekend in Donetsk. Humanitarian organizations in support of the UN provided psychological support, emergency shelter materials, and other aid. Despite all of this, during the first quarter of 2026, humanitarian organizations reached some 2.2 million people with at least one form of assistance, including food, water, healthcare, and shelter support. The largest share of the support was delivered in frontline areas and to people impacted by the strikes. For this assistance to continue, we will need a continued and predictable funding this year. We and our humanitarian partners are calling for a $2.3 billion appeal. And this afternoon at 3 PM, there will be a briefing in the Security Council on Ukraine requested by Ukraine. Assistant Secretary General Khaled Kihari from the Department of Political Affairs will brief. Also briefing is expected— excuse me. Sorry, he's expected to brief on the continuing intensification of hostilities and their impact on civilian infrastructure. He will be briefing along Adam Warsornu, Director of Crisis Response Division at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. And turning to Sudan, where reports of escalating violence in and around Obyed, which is, as you know, the state capital of North Kordofan. Those continued— that continued violence is putting civilians at increased risk and disrupting essential services. Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that between Thursday and yesterday, drone attacks reportedly targeted multiple locations, including a power substation and a fuel station, according to local media group— the local medical group, Sudan Doctors Network. The attacks forced the closure of several medical facilities in the city. Including a dialysis center. They also reportedly caused a shutdown of water stations, further disrupting access to essential services for the population that is in Obayed. Elsewhere in North Khorasan, local sources reported that yesterday, two key bridges located south of the city of Umrubaba were targeted by drones along the main road from Umrubaba to Abu Jubeiya, connecting North Khorasan to South Kordofan. Despite all of this, our humanitarian partners reported movement along the corridor remained possible as of yesterday. Multiple drone attacks were also reported yesterday in the city of Ar-Rahad, located southeast of Ubaid. That's along the key highway. Meanwhile, in nearby West Kordofan, the cholera outbreak continues to worsen due to limited humanitarian access and insecurity. Ongoing displacement, and inadequate access to safe drinking water and sanitation. We and our partners have supported the provision of cholera treatments, supplies, and awareness-raising campaigns in addition to establishing cholera treatment in the state. Um, drone strikes have also been reported in other parts of Sudan in recent days, including in North Darfur and White Nile states, causing civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure. Uh, we reiterate once again our call on all parties to uphold their responsibilities under international law and international humanitarian law, which includes the protection of civilians, um, and civilian infrastructure, and to facilitate rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian aid to whomever needs it, wherever they may be. Uh, turning to southern Lebanon, uh, I can tell you that yesterday marked the first day since the resumption of hostilities on March 2nd in Lebanon that peacekeepers from our peacekeeping force in Lebanon did not detect any trajectories or observe any interceptions. UNIFIL says this lack of activities has continued through this morning. We welcome this reduction of hostilities and we very much hope that this trend continues for the sake of people on the ground. This follows an intense escalation on Friday and Saturday after the latest reported ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. On Saturday, UNIFIL attributed multiple airstrikes and 451 firing incidents to the IDF and 20 trajectories to Hezbollah and 8 projectile interceptions. Over the past 3 days, UNIFIL peacekeepers have, however, continued to observe extensive IDF ground activities throughout the mission's area of responsibilities, including armored maneuvers, as well as engineering and logistical activities. Peacekeepers also continue to observe violation of Lebanese airspace by IDF aircrafts, although this has been observed at reduced levels. Yesterday, UNIFIL peacekeepers encountered multiple restrictions of their freedom of movement across the area of operations, In Sector East, an IDF roadblock denied passage to a UNIFIL convoy despite prior deconfliction, and two UNIFIL patrols were turned back by the IDF in Sector West. Peacekeepers also encountered a roadblock by the Lebanese Armed Forces in Sector East, prompting our colleagues to divert to an alternate route. On the humanitarian front, UNIFIL, through its liaison branch in coordination with OCHA, facilitated 8 humanitarian missions in Sector West on June 20th. And on the broader humanitarian front, OCHA tells us that families displaced by months of hostilities are starting to return to southern areas despite widespread destruction, damaged infrastructure, and limited access to basic services. Uncertainty remains high for many. Some families are moving closer to the areas of origin and waiting for conditions to improve before making a final decision on what they should do next. While violence has decreased significantly in recent days, the human toll of the conflict continues to be felt across the country. We continue to call on the protection of civilians, sustained humanitarian access, and conditions that allow displaced families to return home voluntarily, safely, and with dignity. Turning to the occupied Palestinian Territory, Our OCHA colleagues tell us that in Gaza, civilians continue to be exposed to Israeli airstrikes, naval fire, shelling, and they also continue to be exposed to shooting. Um, in all this, in residential areas, our safety and security partners tell us that such incidents occurred over the weekend across all governorates, primarily west of the yellow line. We've seen with great concern reports that civilians are among those killed. On access, our partners say Kerem Shalom, Abu Salem remains the only crossing currently available for aid to enter Gaza. They also report that Israeli checkpoints set up in early June in southern Gaza is no longer causing major delays for convoys reaching the crossing, which is good news. Over the weekend into this morning, we've collected multiple shipments from Kerem Shalom, including food, blanket, educational supplies, recreation items for children, hygiene kits, and fuel. We continue to ask for additional crossing points to be open and for items that are being restricted to have those restrictions lifted. Fuel, however, also remains limited. Partners rely on a single Egyptian provider who is not always able to meet the quantities required. In addition, Israeli authorities allow fuel imports, whether from Egypt or Israel, only during limited opening hours of the Kerem Shalom Abu Kerem Shalom crossing. As a result, in the second week of June, humanitarian partners inside Gaza were forced to prioritize fuel allocations to life-saving services and suspend those allocations for less critical services. You'll recall that even when fuel is available, generators often lack lubricant oils needed to operate. There are also difficulty getting Israeli approval for spare parts. And turning to the West Bank. Violence also remains at concerning levels. Yesterday, Israeli forces shot and killed a boy and a man who were allegedly within a group burning tires and throwing Molotov cocktails towards a settlement near Hebron. Our humanitarian colleagues recall that in law enforcement contexts across the West Bank, lethal force may only be used as a last resort. Those perpetrating unlawful attacks must be held to account. And back here this morning, there was an open briefing on Syria in the Security Council. Members heard from our friend Claudio Cordone, the Deputy Special Envoy on Syria. He said UN engagements with the Syrian government on the political transition is advancing constructively, though significant work remains. He said that relocating the mission's Geneva-based staff to Damascus would support those efforts. He will return to Damascus next week to continue discussions with Syrian officials on various areas of cooperation. Operations. Also briefing was OCHA's Assistant Secretary-General ad interim, Indhikirat Watte, said that meetings between the government and UN partners helped to advance the "no camps, no tents" vision focused on protection, service provision, and sustainable livelihoods in returning refugees. He urged greater international support, noting the $2.92 billion humanitarian appeal is only 20% funded despite nearing its midpoint. A quick note on Ebola, where UNICEF warns that global confirmed Ebola cases reach 1,000. Nearly 3 million children and adolescents are at risk in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are at risk from the disease itself and from the breakdown of essential services such as health, education, and protection services. Children make up for 15% of confirmed cases and 25% of the deaths. Almost twice— the children are almost twice as likely to die as adults. Over 130 children have already lost one or both parents in Ituri, which, as you know, is the epicenter and origin of this current outbreak. UNICEF is seeking $70.7 million for its 6-month response, with $20 million still underfunded— unfunded. UNICEF calls for immediate, safe, and sustained humanitarian access to affected communities so life-saving assistance can reach children and families in need. Our friends at the World Food Programme today in Rome had a high-level visit, and that was from Pope Leo XIV, who visited the WFP headquarters just outside of Rome, calling access to food a fundamental human right. He called on the international community to renew its commitment and increase resources to combat hunger and malnutrition. Nutrition. His visit comes at a time of acute strain on the humanitarian system. Global hunger has climbed to unprecedented levels, with an estimated 266 million, uh, people across 47 countries facing acute food insecurity last year. Yet funding for food assistance has fallen sharply. He stressed that food security is an essential component of global security, raising concerns about barriers to humanitarian action. He also laid a wreath at WFP's memorial wall to honor the 171 WFP staff members who've lost their lives while serving vulnerable communities around the world. And Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo is in Panama today to take part in the 56th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States. She's doing that on behalf of the Secretary-General. She will also participate in the commemoration of the bicentennial of the 1826 Anfictiónic Congress of Panama. Does anyone know what the 1826 Anfictiónic Congress of Panama was? No? Well, I learned with you. It's when delegates met in Panama City to advance dialogue and cooperation among newly independent states of the region to pursue peace, solidarity, and collective action through shared principles. She will pay tribute to those who gathered two centuries ago by renewing our commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and the peaceful resolution of conflict. She will also engage with leaders attending the summit. And lastly, at 4:30 this afternoon in Conference Room 6, uh, the first Human Security Awards will be announced by the co-chairs of the Group of Friends of Human Security, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, Japan, and Senegal, together with the UN's Human Security Unit. The 2026 Human Security Awards will recognize 6 outstanding, uh, UN initiatives that have successfully translated the human security approach in tangible improvements in people's lives across the world. The 6 award-winning programs demonstrate human security in practice include project in Ecuador, Ghana, Nepal, the Pacific Islands, Senegal, and Syria, and that will take place in half an hour before the kickoff of the France-Iraq game, in case you were wondering. Edie.


Journalist · Edie [49:06]:

Thank you, Steph. Secretary General is going to be in London. Is he planning to meet Keir Starmer? Had he been planning to meet Keir Starmer?


UN · Stéphane [49:21]:

No. He had met— the Prime Minister in London in January earlier this year. There is a scheduled meeting with Yvette Cooper, the Foreign Secretary, that's supposed to take place tomorrow.


Journalist · Edie [49:34]:

So no, no meeting as he exits the Prime Minister's office?


UN · Stéphane [49:39]:

No, ma'am, we understand it's a rather busy time politically in London today.


Journalist · Edie [49:45]:

Does he have any comment about the—


UN · Stéphane [49:48]:

departure? No, I mean, he's— the Secretary General has always found Mr. Stammer to be a very reliable partner, and he's very much appreciated the cooperation he's had with him during his time in office.


Journalist · Edie [50:05]:

One more question on the fighting in El Obaid, which is getting worse. Is the UN or is anybody else trying to bring an end to the fighting and get the parties together?


UN · Stéphane [50:24]:

He is, if you recall, Mr. Havissoe, who's currently in fact in Washington, has made a number of phone calls. He spoke with the head of the RSF on Friday and various other people are doing what we can to try to prevent what could be a tragic situation. Yes, sir, and ensuite, madame.


Journalist · Gabriel Elizondo [50:47]:

Thank you, Steph. I'll start with a very simple question. Is it ever appropriate for a permanent representative in this building to tell a UN employee, nonetheless a woman appointed by the Secretary-General, "You're going to shut up, I'm speaking now"?


UN · Stéphane [51:03]:

Look, We all saw the video of the heated exchange. I think it's always important to maintain decorum in these meetings. I don't want to revisit what happened. I think it's important to keep the focus on the meeting itself, which is the protection of children and the prevention of sexual violence in conflict. And I can tell you that Ms. Fraser enjoys the full support and confidence of the Secretary-General.


Journalist · Gabriel Elizondo [51:32]:

And he— why didn't he put that out in a statement?


UN · Stéphane [51:36]:

Sorry?


Journalist · Gabriel Elizondo [51:36]:

Why didn't the Secretary-General put that out in a statement?


UN · Stéphane [51:39]:

I mean, I think it's— you've asked me, I'm telling you now very clearly.


Journalist · Gabriel Elizondo [51:42]:

And last question on that, Steph, is after that incident took place, whatever happened, I'm not going to judge one way or the other in this forum, um, the Permanent Representative of Israel posted, um, messages attacking the credibility of Ms. Fraser online. That could lead potentially to hostilities, either online or otherwise, against a UN official appointed by the Secretary-General. What can the UN do to protect UN personnel against hatred and/or personal attacks online?


UN · Stéphane [52:16]:

I think it is incumbent for those in responsibility who are on social media platforms to use tone and content that is conducive to real discussions.


Journalist · Noreen Hussein [52:38]:

Hi, Steph.


Journalist [52:40]:

So Lebanon and Washington announced the creation of a new ceasefire monitoring mechanism in southern Lebanon. Are you aware? Is the UN included?


UN · Stéphane [52:51]:

Yes, we are aware. As I think everybody's trying to gather some details to what exactly that means, but we always stand ready to support any initiative that would give us— that would bring the people of Lebanon and the people of Israel calm and an ability to return to their normal lives. Okay, seeing no other questions, I will ask you to stay in your seats while I get our, while I get our guest. Let's go ahead and get the— have a seat. The water is fresh and it's all for you.


Journalist [54:24]:

Thank you.


UN · Stéphane [54:32]:

Alright, good afternoon. We are delighted to be joined by the Executive Director of UNAIDS, someone you know well, Winnie Byanyima. She is here because the General Assembly, as you know, is holding a high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS. And so Winnie, welcome, and you have the floor.


UNAIDS · Executive Director · Winnie Byanyima [54:53]:

Thank you very much, Stéphane. Good afternoon, members of the press. Thank you for coming to listen to us. The United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on AIDS kicked off this morning with the President of the General Assembly and the Deputy Secretary-General leading the opening session, and myself and a woman living with HIV as well as a scientist. The meeting is— this is the 5th high-level meeting on AIDS since 25 years ago when world leaders came together here at the United Nations for the first-ever UN General Assembly Special Session on a Health Crisis. 4 meetings, such meetings have happened, one every 5 years, and this is the 5th and last one before 2030, the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat. So at this meeting, we— I told delegations that the world made a The promise to stop AIDS, the world meeting here 25 years ago to stop AIDS, to ensure that all people in all countries in the world got treatment and prevention that they needed, that funds would be mobilized to enable every country to fight the disease, and that communities on the ground would lead and deliver services for their people. And the Member States also agreed that the UN would continue to coordinate a global multi-sectoral response, and that is the part of the UN that I lead. I reminded delegations that 25 years ago, every 5 years, Member States have come back and recommitted and recommitted, and as a result, We have had progress up to this point. 32.1 million people are living healthy lives because they are on treatment. That's 32.1 out of 40 million people living with HIV. Tremendous progress that people are on treatment. I also reminded them that while the promise has been kept for 25 years now, that the progress achieved should not be confused with success. There are still 9 million people not on treatment, and our data— UNAIDS data— shows that last year, 1.2 million people were newly infected. So therefore, the promise to end AIDS hasn't been realized, and I rallied countries to come together and agree an ambitious political declaration that they should sign off tomorrow where they make commitments. These commitments should be in these areas because they are the areas of what we need to do to end AIDS. One, to commit to multilateralism and agree ambitious targets for the next 5 years. Multilateralism is at its weakest today. This is a great story of the success of multilateralism. I called on member states to assert that multilateralism is alive and well by passing an ambitious declaration. Secondly, that member states sustain international financing. Financing has collapsed. Last year alone, OECD report of last year showed that 2025 international ODA dropped by 23%, the largest drop ever. That's a sudden drop, and that has hit hardest the high-burdened, low-income countries that have depended very much on development assistance. So I called on Member States to sustain international financing as countries mobilize their own domestic resources. Our records show that 52 countries last year stepped up and increased their domestic financing for the HIV response. There are regional efforts to, to find, to, to identify resources to achieve health sovereignty. So these have to be matched by continued international financing as the domestic resources increase. I called on member states to protect the rights of people living with HIV to be able to reach life-saving services. The pushback against human rights, against gender equality, the closing of civic space, disabling communities from serving their people is a big threat to the gains we have made today. I call on member states to respect the rights of people living with HIV and those at risk, and those are gay men and men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs, and sex workers, and prisoners, that their rights, their rights to access services, their human rights must be respected for us to beat this disease. I called on them to free the space, civic space, so that communities can lead services for their people, and lastly, that they spur the science so that innovations reach everyone who needs them. The Brazilian delegate summed it up for me on the science when she said, "Innovations are Innovations without access are not innovations. They are an injustice. Innovations must reach everybody who needs them. The access to medicines is a critical issue. These are the things I called on member states to ensure are well— the commitments are well entrenched in the political declaration,, and if we do these things, we can end AIDS. Thank you very much. I can take your questions.


UN · Stéphane [1:02:00]:

Thank you. Please, Al Jazeera.


Journalist · Gabriel Elizondo [1:02:05]:

Hi, Madam. Thank you so much for this very important briefing. My name is Gabriel Elizondo from Al Jazeera English. I know many of my colleagues— it's a busy day— are watching this briefing from their offices intently. On behalf of the UN Correspondents Association, we also want to thank you for holding this important briefing as well. Two questions. One is, you mentioned that there are 52 countries that have stepped up funding, correct? How much is that helping, given the fact that the US has curtailed so much of its funding? Has it built a little bit of— has it closed the gap a bit, or is there still quite a big gap? And secondly, what is the one concrete outcome that you most hope to come out of the meeting this week? Thank you.


UNAIDS · Executive Director · Winnie Byanyima [1:02:55]:

Thank you for that question. First, I need to clarify that the cuts in financing in international assistance are not cuts from one government. We have seen a sharp decline in development financing from a range of donors. Almost all— not all, but many of the traditional donors, European, North American, have been cutting their ODA. That's one. And that these cuts have been rapid— rapid has to be underlined because it was never expected that external assistance would continue to finance the HIV response, but a planned transition from external assistance to domestic financing would be expected. So, yes, the countries have not said we are going to lie down and die unless external help is here. We are recording and 52 countries have increased their domestic financing. This goes some way to fill the gap, but does not completely fill the gap for most of them. Secondly, they have done more than that. Many of them are being very innovative about integrating the HIV response into the broader health system, achieving some cost efficiencies. So these are also some of the steps being taken to ensure that the response remains funded. But overall, what has been taken away is much bigger than what is coming in. My call is that, please, do not take money away because you're taking lives away. Have a planned transition where countries step up as external aid is taken away. The last point about my biggest wish. It is so common in the media to be asked, "What is the one thing?" There's never one thing, but let me try to give you two, because there are two big threats to the gains we have made. Our recent report, we say that progress is continuing, but there is increasing fragility of the response and there are two big threats. One is this rapid decline of development financing. I'm calling for continued development assistance as domestic resources are. So important that Global Fund is fully funded, that the resources match the need, The American bilateral program is welcomed back and should continue and increase resources. America has always been the biggest contributor and continues to be. We want them to continue. So the second big issue is one on rights, to really— for member states to protect the rights of the people who are living with HIV and those who are vulnerable. Our records, since we started tracking human rights of people living with HIV, tell us that for, for the first time, instead of continuing to decriminalize same-sex relationships, we are seeing a turn in the wrong direction. Two countries last year enacted criminal laws against same-sex relationships. Another country this year made its law harsher for same-sex relationships. And we also see more laws closing civic space for communities to lead services. My call to member states is Push back against the push back. Protect human rights, protect women's rights and gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights. That will guarantee success. Those are my two things.


UN · Stéphane [1:07:21]:

Sherwin, then Noreen.


Journalist · Sherwin Briceby [1:07:24]:

Sherwin Briceby, South African Broadcasting. Thank you for your interventions today and your briefing this afternoon. Your reaction, please, to the announcement by the US State the State Department that there will be a phased withdrawal of PEPFAR funding to South Africa. Of course, South Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV anywhere in the world, around 8 million people that are infected with HIV in South Africa. I'm sorry, I'm getting a frown, so I think the numbers are right. What's your reaction to the US decision to withdraw funding here?


UNAIDS · Executive Director · Winnie Byanyima [1:07:52]:

I'm sad about that because South Africa has has the largest HIV— the highest number of people living with HIV, 8 million people living with HIV. It also has the most ambitious program for HIV, delivering antiretroviral treatment to 6 of those 8 million people and fighting to put all of them on treatment. It has a very ambitious prevention program. And the United States PEPFAR program was giving the South Africa support of up to 17% of its total funding for HIV. South Africa funds most of its HIV response, but that 17% was important too because it was supporting South Africa to deliver services for communities, for communities to deliver to their people, to the most vulnerable people. So taking it away is taking away life-saving support from the most vulnerable people. So that is sad, and I would ask the United States to reconsider their position.


UN · Stéphane [1:09:05]:

Thank you. Noreen?


Journalist · Noreen Hussein [1:09:07]:

Thank you very much, ma'am. My name is Noreen Hussein with IPS News. So far, you've talked about the role that member states can play. In addressing the ongoing crisis. I'm wondering if you could also expand on what role the— what role international organizations can play, especially UNAIDS, as we know that part of that UNAIDS is also about to go through a major transition process under the UN80 Initiative, where some of its mandates and responsibilities will sort of be will now be sort of directed to other UN entities. So moving forward in the next 4 years, what role can international organizations, including the UN and the entities that will assume some of the responsibilities of UNAIDS, what role can they play? What role must they play going forward?


UNAIDS · Executive Director · Winnie Byanyima [1:10:04]:

UNAIDS, the United Nations The UN Joint Programme on AIDS is a partnership of 11 UN entities brought together by a Secretariat that I lead. Like other parts of the United Nations, we have been hit hard by the rapid cuts in development assistance. The call of the Secretary-General to reform, to transform the Joint Programme is in that context of changing the arrangements of the Joint Programme and making them fit for a future of less funding. That is the aim. The aim is not to take away the mandate of the UN to fight AIDS, to lead and coordinate, but to rearrange the Joint Programme so that it can fit in a smaller envelope for the future. The way we are doing this is to consolidate the Secretariat, to pass over some of its functions that it has been performing to other parts of the UN, to some of the entities that make the joint program. This is an ongoing process. There's a working group that is designing a plan for such a transition. We expect that at the end of the year, in this— in October, this plan will be adopted by the board, and implementation of the plan will begin next year. What I foresee is that there will continue to be a small hub that carries the core functions of leadership, of coordination, of accountability, of driving the world behind ambitious targets and with co-sponsors continuing to play their role in each sector. WHO on testing and treating, UNICEF on children and HIV/AIDS, gender equality under UNW— so I'm seeing a much smaller but more focused with more clarified roles for each part of the joint programme.


UN · Stéphane [1:12:44]:

Does the UN have an estimate on how many additional HIV infections or AIDS-related deaths could result if the current funding cuts continue?


UNAIDS · Executive Director · Winnie Byanyima [1:12:58]:

That is a good question. As a result of the cuts, you are saying how do we estimate new infections? So far, you see, HIV is a disease where what happens now, its impact is tracked in data much later. But we are seeing the early signs of serious reversals in our progress. For example, we're seeing that 22% 22% of— I don't want to make a mistake here. Yeah. That HIV testing, testing in the high Burden countries has fallen by 22%. That means there are many people out there who do not know they are HIV positive and who are continuing to transmit because they are not on treatment. So when, when testing drops so suddenly, we can expect that down the road we are going to start picking up a figure of higher new infections, higher numbers of new infections. We are also seeing, for example, condom distribution, a major way of prevention for men, 90% drop in some countries, 90% drop. That tells you that there are many people out there having unsafe sex. And therefore, you can expect new infections to increase in subsequent years when we pick up the data. So, yes, we do not have a figure, we do not have an estimate for the longer term, but we do see in our data for this year the signs that we're going to have new infections the trend that has been going down may now reverse and start rising. I hope that answers your question. Thank you.


Speaker 36 [1:15:26]:

I also have a question for Steph. What message does the Secretary-General have for the major donor countries that are reducing their contributions? Reverse and give.


Journalist · Gabriel Elizondo [1:15:41]:

Thank you very much.


UN · Stéphane [1:15:45]:

Winnie, thank you very much. We wish you success with the conference for all your wishes.


UNAIDS · Executive Director · Winnie Byanyima [1:15:50]:

Thank you very— thank you, Stefan, for arranging this for us.