Harm Reduction International (HRI), International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD) and International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC) jointly delivered a statement during the 57th UNAIDS PCB meeting on Update on the implementation of the revised operating model of the joint programme. HRI read out the statement on-behalf.

Thank you for this opportunity to address the PCB. This intervention is being delivered with support of International Network of People who Use Drugs, and the International Drug Policy Consortium

Harm reduction, especially in low- and middle- income countries, as delivered by and for people who use drugs, is fighting for survival. Funding cuts this year have led to these limited serviced closing, along with a loss of peer workers, and reduced advocacy capacity at a time when it is needed most.

We are already seeing the impact of this on the ground – threatening the progress made towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The sharp rise in numbers of people living with HIV in Fiji should be a wakeup call for governments on what can happen when harm reduction is not in place. Something that is still the case in many countries. This is the context in which we are proposing to sunset UNAIDS.

UN restructuring serves to compound the damage caused this year. UNAIDS has been a leading voice in the UN system advocating for life-saving and cost-effective harm reduction interventions, and the meaningful inclusion of people who use drugs. It is imperative that this is not lost and that this work is not undone. Harm reduction and people who use drugs must find an adequately resourced home within the UN system.

Comprehensive planning for any responsible transition away from UNAIDS must be put in place, especially for mandates related to harm reduction and people who use drugs – something that is simply not possible within the Secretary General’s proposed timeframe for sunsetting. Member states must stand for UNAIDS and allow UNAIDS to exert its full mandate.

Any transition away from UNAIDS must involve civil society and the communities most impacted – such as networks of people who use drugs – at all stages, including within the proposed working group.

Beyond this, meaningful engagement with communities and civil society must be maintained within and beyond the lifespan of UNAIDS, and should be non-negotiable regardless of which UN entity takes on responsibility for the mandate of harm reduction and people who use drugs. Thank you.