UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, is an innovative joint venture of the United Nations family, bringing together the efforts and resources of ten UN system organizations in the AIDS response to help the world prevent new HIV infections, care for people living with HIV, and mitigate the impact of the epidemic.

With its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the UNAIDS Secretariat works on the ground in more than 80 countries worldwide. Coherent action on AIDS by the UN system is coordinated in countries through the UN theme groups, and the joint programmes on AIDS.

 

UNAIDS brings together the efforts of ten UN system organizations. Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank.

 

UNAIDS established its presence in Georgia in 2008. Closely cooperating with national institutions, civil society and the private sector, UNAIDS assists Georgia in achieving Universal Access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support and contributes to reaching its Millennium Development Goals.

 

UNAIDS provides technical support and policy advise to accelerate multisectoral and comprehensive and inclusive response on HIV/AIDS in Georgia. Through UN Joint Team on HIV/AIDS, and in close collaboration with co-sponsors, UNAIDS Country Office (UCO) assists the country to fully implement the UNAIDS Three Ones Principle:

·         One agreed HIV/AIDS Action Framework that provides the basis for coordinating the work of all partners;

·         One National AIDS Coordinating Authority, with a broad-based multisectoral mandate; and

·         One agreed country-level Monitoring and Evaluation System.

UNAIDS action aims at helping Georgia to achieve the most effective and efficient use of resources, to ensure rapid action and results-based management and to strengthen national ownership for the response.     

In order to achieve further progress and take steps to address specific gaps in the response to the epidemic as well as the social, political and structural constraints that limit results, in 2009 UNAIDS responded through UNAIDS Outcome Framework, 2009-2011, - “Joint Action for results”, to optimize partnerships between the UNAIDS Secretariat and the Cosponsors. The Outcome Framework, which builds upon the UNAIDS Strategic Framework (2007–2011), guided future investment in Georgia as well.

 

On October 9 2009 the National Consultations were conducted where the national priority areas were selected: 

Cross-cutting strategies:

·   Drug users access to health and social services increased

·         Political commitment and regional advocacy strengthened and governance of national AIDS response improved

·         The 3 Ones fully implemented: One authorized national authority to coordinate AIDS response (the CCM) empowered by law; New National Strategic Plan on AIDS 2011-2016 developed and enforced; One agreed national HIV/AIDS M&E framework and plan developed and enforced.

·         Safe sex and rights awareness and access to HIV prevention services increased among MARPs, including migrants, and their sexual partners  

·         Coordinated UN support to the national AIDS response is aligned with the new HIV/AIDS strategy and action plan for 2011-16, through UNDAF 2011-15 and Joint Programme of Support 2010-11

 

Manoela Grozdanova

UNAIDS Country Coordinator for

Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia 

Lia Tavadze, Social Mobilization Adviser

9 Eristavi Street, Tbilisi 0179 Georgia

Tel: 995 32 251 126

Fax: 995 32 250 271/72

E-mail: TavadzeL@unaids.org