We, the largest patient organization in Ukraine and the CEECA region, created and led by people living with HIV, consider the intention to liquidate UNAIDS by the end of 2026, as announced in the report of the UN Secretary-General, to be a mistake. 

In our region, the HIV epidemic continues to grow. The full-scale war unleashed by Russia creates new challenges: forced migration, interruption of access to medical and social services, barriers to treatment and psychological support. In these conditions, systemic coordinated work and a global vision become critically necessary. This is exactly the role UNAIDS has played for many years — not only as a technical agency but also as the voice of millions of patients and representatives of key communities. 

“Ukraine faces the brutal reality of war every single day. And yet, under these conditions, we continue to work as ‘100% LIFE,’ a network of people living with HIV. Every year we provide assistance to over a million people with diverse needs. But this work is only possible thanks to strong global partnerships and the preservation of global solidarity. If UNAIDS is liquidated, the world will lose a unique platform that for 30 years has united governments and communities and led the fight against HIV on the principles of equality and dignity. This backward step may be irreversible. Save UNAIDS – save our lives,” — appealed to all partners Valeria Rachynska, Director of Human Rights, Gender and Community Development at CО “100% LIFE,” speaking in New York during the Global Citizen platform events. 

Today, efforts in the global HIV/AIDS response are in crisis: chronic underfunding of the Global Fund and PEPFAR, rising risks of new infections and AIDS-related deaths, and millions of people still without access to treatment or prevention. According to forecasts, funding cuts could lead to over 4.2 million additional deaths in the next four years. 

In this situation, the proposal to liquidate UNAIDS is the wrong step at the wrong time. It undermines the global goal of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 and jeopardizes the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3 “Health and Well-being” and SDG 10 “Reduced Inequalities.” 

Together with the NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, we: 

• call on the UN Secretary-General to hold a meeting with civil society and communities to hear our voice; 

• call on all PCB members and observers to actively oppose the closure of UNAIDS; 

• emphasize: preserving UNAIDS is not about an institution, it is about people’s lives, protection of rights, and support for those most affected by the epidemic. 

We call on partner organizations, community representatives, and everyone who cares about the global fight against the epidemic to join in signing the NGO Delegation’s statement: Endorse the NGO Delegation Statement: UNAIDS Must Not Be Sunset