Youth LEAD at the 56th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB): Standing in Solidarity with UNAIDS Staff and Advocating for Better Engagement

From 24 to 26 June 2025, Youth LEAD participated in the 56th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland. Representing Youth LEAD as part of the NGO Delegation to the PCB, Jeremy Tan Fok Jun, our Programme Officer, delivered a powerful intervention during Agenda Item 8 in response to the statement from the UNAIDS Secretariat Staff Association (USSA).

The USSA statement, presented by Mr. Alankar Malviya, offered a heartfelt account of the real and often unseen impact of the ongoing restructuring process on UNAIDS staff. It highlighted pressing concerns around increased workloads, burnout, lack of transparency, and insufficient consultation. Many staff continue to face emotional distress and uncertainty as a result of repeated organizational shifts and unstable resource environments. Despite these challenges, the staff remain committed to the HIV response and called for transparency, fairness, and stronger mechanisms to protect staff well-being.

In response, Jeremy, Tan on behalf of the NGO Delegation, expressed deep appreciation for the dedication and commitment of UNAIDS and Joint Programme staff. His intervention acknowledged the vital role staff play not only in supporting the functioning of the organization but in working hand in hand with communities across the world. "UNAIDS staff are not just the backbone of the institution. They have walked alongside us and their contributions have helped shape the HIV response that centers the needs of communities," he said.

The intervention also called for improved leadership and management approaches that ensure open and inclusive dialogue with civil society, especially during this period of volatility and transformation. This includes making space for continued collaboration with communities and young people and for centering staff voices in the process of change. To conclude, the delegation affirmed that UNAIDS staff are seen, heard, and valued. Jeremy invited everyone in the room to join in a round of applause for all staff members, those who continue in their roles and those who are transitioning out, marking a collective moment of solidarity.

Importantly, the NGO Delegation successfully proposed a decision point that was adopted by the Board, inviting the Staff Association to present an updated statement at the 57th PCB later this year. This ensures continued engagement and reflection on the impact of the restructuring on the Secretariat’s staff.

As part of our commitment to transparency and youth engagement, Youth LEAD and the NGO Delegation will host a report-back webinar in late July 2025 to share highlights from the 56th PCB, including key decisions, community interventions, and next steps.

Stay connected with Youth LEAD and the NGO Delegation to UNAIDS for more updates, and follow us on our social media platforms for the webinar announcement.

Together, we continue to ensure that youth voices remain present, powerful, and heard in the global HIV response.

Jeremy Tan Fok Jun

Asia Pacific, NGO Delegation to PCB​​​​​​