UNAIDS

Overview/Mandate
UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is the main advocate for accelerated, comprehensive and coordinated global action on the epidemic. UNAIDS mission is to lead, strengthen and support an expanded response to HIV and AIDS that includes preventing transmission of HIV, providing care and support for those already living with the virus, reducing the vulnerability of individuals and communities to HIV and alleviating the impact of the epidemic.

UNAIDS brings together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organizations to the global AIDS response. Cosponsoring agencies include UNHCR, UNODC, UNICEF, WFP, ILO, UNESCO, World Bank, UNDP, UNFPA and WHO. With its ten cosponsors UNAIDS assists in ensuring better coordination among its partners in the UN system, governments, civil society, donors, the private sector and others.

UNAIDS has five focus areas including: leadership and advocacy, strategic information and technical support, tracking monitoring and evaluation, civil society engagement and mobilization of resources.

Current Initiatives
UNAIDS is supporting initiatives of UN agencies in support of the National Programme on HIV/AIDS Prevention.

- Development of a National Programme on HIV/AIDS Response in the Republic of Armenia for 2007-2011
UNAIDS has assisted the Government in developing the National Programme on HIV/AIDS Response in the Republic of Armenia for 2007-2011 aimed at an effective response to the HIV epidemic in the country. The National Programme has key sections such as (1) development of a multisectoral response to HIV, (2) HIV prevention, (3) treatment, care and support, (4) monitoring and evaluation, (5) management, coordination, and partnership, and (6) financing and financial resource mobilization. The National Programme has been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers beginning 2007.

- Establishment of a National HIV/AIDS Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system in the Republic of Armenia
Within the framework of the Three One’s - One National Action Framework, One National AIDS Authority, and One Monitoring and Evaluation Framework – UNAIDS is supporting the Government in establishing a National HIV/AIDS Monitoring & Evaluation System. This activity aims at identifying a set of national indicators and outlining the main features of the M&E system.

- Joint Programme on the National HIV/AIDS Behavioural and Biological Surveillance (BBS) and Construction of Core Indicators for Monitoring the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS (UNGASS)
The broader UNAIDS family is supporting the collection of data to establish the HIV prevalence among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), Female Sex Workers (FSWs), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), Refugees. Additionally, the behaviour surveillance will look into risk behaviours among IDUs, FSWs, MSM, Refugees, migrants, prisoners, Young People, Especially Vulnerable Young People (EVYP) and Most-at-Risk Adolescents (MARA). This activity contributes to the report which countries including Armenia have to submit to the UN General Assembly on the development of the HIV epidemic. Main partners are the National Centre for AIDS Prevention and the Armenian National AIDS Foundation.

- Joint UN Programme on Support to People living with HIV and their families Improving the Quality of Life
This initiative supported by UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNDP, UNHCR is aimed at supporting and strengthening of organizations and networks of People Living with HIV. Active participation in decision making processes and a better quality of life, has been achieved through increased communication, knowledge and information sharing among people living with HIV. People living with HIV are playing an active role in advocating for their rights. Their organizations are exploring possibilities in the labour market and developing business proposals. Real World, Real People has also increased social-psychological support for their members in Yerevan and the regions.

- The UN Joint Programme on Capacity Building in HIV/AIDS Prevention
UNAIDS with UNFPA, UNDP, and UNICEF supports the Joint Programme on Capacity Building in HIV/AIDS Prevention aimed at strengthening the capacity of local authorities and civil society organizations in implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention projects at the community level. This programme is based on the achievements of the UN Joint Project phase one (2004-2005 JP aimed at helping duty-bearers to formulate and implement policies that ensure effective and coordinated response to HIV/AIDS epidemic). The project funds innovative initiatives addressing HIV/AIDS related issues in communities. The project also promotes stronger collaboration between local authorities and civil society organizations. The project continues to support to the Country Coordination Commission on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria issues (CCM).

Partners
National Counterparts:
RA Ministry of Healthcare, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education and Science, Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Migration and Refugees Department at the RA Government of, RA Police, RA National Assembly, National Centre for AIDS Prevention

NGOs:
"Real World Real People", "AIDS Prevention, Education and Care", "Armenian National AIDS Foundation", "AIDS Prevention Union", "Hope and Help"

International Organizations:
UN Agencies, DFID, UMCOR, IOM, ICRC, World Vision Armenia, OSI, European Union, USAID

Contact
Ms. Manoela Grozdanova
United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
Country Coordinator for Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan
Address: United Nations House, 14 Petros Adamyan Street
Yerevan 375010, Armenia
Tel: (37410) 54 70 88
Fax: (37410) 54 70 99
E-mail: grozdanovam@unaids.org , yeghiazaryanc@unaids.org