About

• The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is an innovative joint venture of the United Nations family which brings together the efforts and resources of 11 UN system organizations to unite the world against AIDS. 
• The participating organizations that form UNAIDS, also called the UNAIDS Cosponsors, are 
  • UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
  • UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund
  • World Bank
  • UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)
  • UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women)
  • UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)
  • UNFPA (United Nations Populations Fund)
  • WHO (World Health Organisation)
  • World Food Programme
  • UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
  • ILO (International Labour Organisation)
• It is coordinated by the UNAIDS Secretariat, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Its mission is to lead and inspire the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
• It has a vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths, and a principle of leaving no one behind.

Why in News?

• UNAIDS director for the Asia Pacific emphasized that India’s significant role is crucial for the world to meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-3.3) of ending AIDS by 2030. 
• He highlighted that the new HIV infections in India fell 44% and AIDS-related deaths fell 80% between 2010 and 2023, both better than global average, however, 185 Indians were infected each day last year. 

About AIDS

• AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) is a life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). 
• It weakens the immune system by destroying cells that fight disease and infection, making the body more vulnerable to infections.
• HIV is transmitted through unprotected sex, contaminated needles, and from mother to child. 
• Symptoms of AIDS include swollen lymph nodes, severe weight loss, chronic diarrhea, memory loss, persistent fever, and opportunistic infections like pneumonia or certain cancers.
• While there is no cure, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) can control the virus, enabling those infected to live healthy lives. 
• Prevention methods include safe sex practices, clean needles, and Pre Exposure Prophylaxis for high-risk individuals.