UNAIDS

UNAIDS acknowledges that cities play a critical role in delivering the objectives of its mandate, i.e., ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

On one hand, the risk to contract and the vulnerability to HIV is often higher in cities. This is partly because of urban dynamics (social networking, migration, unemployment, socio-economic inequalities, etc.). On the other hand, cities have historically taken the lead in the AIDS response.

As dynamic centres for economic growth, education, innovation, positive social change and sustainable development, cities offer important opportunities. They have inherent advantages in accelerating the response and in taking transformative action. This allows them to ensure that services are delivered to everyone in an equitable and efficient way.

UNAIDS together with core partners, the city of Paris, UN-Habitat and the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), has therefore set up the Fast Track Cities network in collaboration with cities across the world. This global initiative gathers 300+ cities and municipalities which have committed to the Paris Declaration to end the AIDS epidemic in cities by 2030. Through this network, UNAIDS and its partners provide technical support to help cities implement the commitments of the Paris Declaration. It also constitutes a space for exchange of good practices.

Additional resources:

• Fast-Track Cities, UNAIDS website

Contact persons

• Ms Eleanor Gouws, Senior Adviser, GouwsE@unaids.org
• Mr Pascal Muriset, Programme Officer, MurisetP@unaids.org