PCB Update: Major Shifts at UNAIDS

To civil society organizations and community-led organizations, 

In response to recent funding cuts from major international donors, we are witnessing significant impacts on civil society program implementation. Unfortunately, these cuts are also affecting UNAIDS, the leading global agency in HIV response. This update will highlight the key development from recent Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) discussions that are particularly relevant to our region.

Key Updates from UNAIDS: What You Need to Know

1. Changes to the Joint Programme Operating Model

UNAIDS plans to retain its current structure, with the Secretariat continuing to coordinate the Joint Programme. However, the number of co-sponsoring agencies will be reduced from 11 to 5 or 6. Discussions are still ongoing to determine which agencies will remain, based on relevance and available resources.

Concerns about overlapping roles between the Secretariat and co-sponsors have been raised, especially due to increasingly limited resources. UNAIDS is emphasizing clear role definitions, fit-for-purpose, and value-for-money approaches, ensuring that every dollar spent delivers impact.

2. Restructuring UNAIDS: Fewer Offices, Fewer Staff

UNAIDS is undergoing a major global restructuring, which includes:

●      Reducing country offices to just 35 multi-country hubs

●      Cutting global staff from over 608 to around 280

The PCB are extremely concerned that such significant reductions in UNAIDS' global presence and staffing levels could have far-reaching and detrimental consequences for the HIV response, particularly in regions where support is most needed. Specifically:

1. Reducing the number of country offices and staff risks decreasing UNAIDS' ability to directly engage with and support key populations, (such as young people, LGBTIQ+ communities, people who use drugs, sex workers, and people living with HIV), who are already disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Without strong institutional support, these groups may face increased barriers to accessing essential health services, legal protections, and advocacy platforms.
2. UNAIDS has long played a central role in fostering community-led responses and ensuring the meaningful participation of civil society in shaping HIV policies and programmes. Staff cuts and office closures may result in the loss of local relationships and institutional knowledge, making it more difficult for communities to participate in decision-making processes and to influence national and regional strategies. As UNAIDS restructures, there's growing uncertainty about continued technical and financial support for grassroots initiatives. Many community organizations rely on UNAIDS to amplify their voices, provide political backing, and facilitate access to global decision-making platforms. Without a clear plan to maintain these connections, the progress made in community empowerment and ownership risks being undermined.
3. UNAIDS has been a leading voice in championing a human rights-based approach to the HIV response, which prioritises equity, inclusion, and the protection of vulnerable groups. In many countries, civil society organizations and human rights defenders are operating in increasingly restrictive environments. A reduced UNAIDS presence may lead to a vacuum in advocacy and oversight, emboldening governments or actors that seek to limit freedoms of expression, association, and assembly. This could hinder the ability of communities to organise, advocate, and hold duty-bearers accountable. 
4. The restructuring risks diluting the commitment to human rights and ending HIV, especially if the remaining offices are overburdened or unable to sustain the political and technical leadership required to uphold these principles at national and regional levels. There are also targeted approaches that respond to the specific needs and challenges of communities to access HIV services and treatment. Restructuring can dilute these approaches within broader health programs and advocacy, leading to less effective initiatives and gains toward the 95-95-95 targets.

In our region, the implications for the Regional Support Team (RST) in Asia and the Pacific are especially concerning. The Asia-Pacific region presents unique epidemiological trends, diverse social dynamics, and complex political environments. A one-size-fits-all approach will not be effective. Reducing UNAIDS’ presence in the region may weaken its ability to provide context-specific support and respond to emerging challenges, such as rising HIV incidence among young key populations and shrinking civic space. We call for transparent communication on UNAIDS’ priorities for the Asia-Pacific region, particularly regarding continued support for civil society and community-led responses.

Further information on the restructuring can be found here on a UNAIDS press statement. 

Next Steps: Join the Conversation

We’re planning to reach out to UNAIDS leadership to get more clarity on these changes and their regional impact. We hope to organize a call with UNAIDS Regional Support Team in Asia and the Pacific and encourage as many of you as possible to join. This will be a key opportunity for us to:

●      Stay informed and connected through regional civil society networks.

●      Know your thoughts and feedback.

●      Align civil society priorities and propose adaptive strategies in light of shrinking resources.

●      Document and understand the impact of funding and structural changes on local HIV response.

We hope these resources help inform your next steps in advocacy, planning, and partnerships. For any feedback, suggestions, or questions, please send them through this Google Form: https://forms.gle/4QjRKFUNaXZCWLjE7

Jeremy Fok Jun Tan

Asia-Pacific NGO Delegate to UNAIDS PCB