HIV mural in Antwerp. Copyright: Sensoa This year Belgium will preside the UNAIDS constituency with Portugal, Luxemburg and the Netherlands in the Programme Coordination Board (PCB) of UNAIDS, the governing board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV. The UNAIDS PCB sets the overall policies and priorities for UNAIDS and decides on the organisation’s planning and execution. Challenges discussed within the board include how to keep up international support for HIV response, but can also include discussions on the impact of big donor countries’ policies on the HIV/AIDS response, think of the detrimental effect of the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy (or Global Gag Rule) by the US on integrated SRHR-HIV service delivery in countries in the Global South.
As a board member Belgium could add value by sharing good practices in the field of prevention and response to harassment, including sexual harassment, a topic the UNAIDS secretariat is expected to take robust action on. In Belgium, policies on how to prevent and respond to sexual harassment and sexual violence have been adopted by a variety of sectors such as youth, education, healthcare and sport.
Furthermore, Belgium could share its expertise with Board members on how it reached the 90-90-90 agenda. This agenda set as objectives that 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, that 90% of all people with a diagnosed HIV infection will receive antiretroviral therapy and that 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression by 2020.
The Belgian presidency comes at a time when its first National Action Plan on HIV comes to an end. Belgium can demonstrate to board members and co-sponsors how this disease-specific National Action Plan was pivotal to make progress in the AIDS response in Belgium.
Furthermore, Belgium could share its expertise with Board members on how it reached the 90-90-90 agenda. This agenda set as objectives that 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status, that 90% of all people with a diagnosed HIV infection will receive antiretroviral therapy and that 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression by 2020.
The Belgian presidency comes at a time when its first National Action Plan on HIV comes to an end. Belgium can demonstrate to board members and co-sponsors how this disease-specific National Action Plan was pivotal to make progress in the AIDS response in Belgium.
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