AIDS

HIV/AIDS is responsible for one of the greatest reversals in modern human development, with AIDS-related illnesses killing more than 40 million people since the start of the epidemic. Since the 1980s the UN family has been on the vanguard of fighting this disease. In 1987 UNAIDS was formed, combining the expertise and resources of 11 United nations system organizations to unite the world against AIDS. These organizations are: UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank. In 2001 Member States adopted the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, by which world leaders agreed on common targets for reducing the spread of HIV and alleviating its impact. The Declaration established time-bound targets on prevention, care, support, and treatment, impact alleviation, and improving the situation of Children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.