Harm reduction is essential to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Globally, 8% of new HIV infections are among people who inject drugs. At a time when harm reduction funding is in crisis, civic space is shrinking, and HIV infections among people who inject drugs continue to rise in some regions, the world needs strong leadership on harm reduction and human rights in the HIV response.

UNAIDS has provided this leadership. It has played a uniquely important role in advancing harm reduction globally and in the UN system. It has consistently defended life-saving and cost-effective harm reduction interventions, advocated for the decriminalisation of drug use, and ensured that people who use drugs and civil society are recognised as experts and partners in the HIV response.

No other single entity in the UN currently has the expertise or capacity to continue the vital harm reduction work, and it risks being left behind. For this reason, any transition and integration of UNAIDS functions into other parts of the UN system poses a danger to harm reduction.

The current lead co-sponsor, for example, is an institution which has proven itself to be hostile to harm reduction – outside of the courageous work of its dedicated HIV team. We urge the working group to ensure that, in the redistribution of responsibilities, harm reduction must be placed, and sustainably resourced, within institutions whose broader mandates are compatible – such as the World Health Organization and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Harm reduction and the rights of people who use drugs cannot be effectively protected or advanced by institutions whose core purpose is punitive drug control.

We will shortly circulate a more detailed briefing to the working group on this issue. Thank you.