The UNAIDS board backed reforms to preserve the programme’s HIV mandate.
The board unanimously supported keeping UNAIDS while streamlining its operations and strengthening country-level HIV services.
The United Nations HIV programme’s governing board has backed UNAIDS reforms rather than ending the agency. The decision preserves its mandate amid funding cuts and concerns about continuity of HIV services.
The UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board reached its unanimous decision at a special session in Geneva on October 26, 2026. It endorsed a transition to streamline operations while retaining the programme’s core functions.
The changes form part of the Secretary-General’s UN80 initiative, which aims to improve efficiency across the UN system. However, the board chose to strengthen the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS rather than phase it out.
UNAIDS reforms will preserve core mandate
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima welcomed the decision, saying the board had chosen transformation instead of closure. She also thanked governments, donors, civil society groups and activists who supported the programme’s continuation.
However, Byanyima stressed that securing its survival marked only the beginning. The next task, she said, was to deliver the transformation properly.
The board endorsed the strategic direction in its working group’s final report on the programme’s future. It also asked its chair to communicate the decisions to the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the reforms aimed to protect the global HIV response amid disruption. They also seek to strengthen delivery at country level.
Smaller secretariat and stronger community role
Under the proposed changes, a streamlined UNAIDS secretariat will retain responsibility for four core functions. Meanwhile, the Joint Programme’s 11 UN agencies will take stronger leadership roles in their respective technical areas.
The board also called for communities to help design and implement HIV programmes through shared leadership. It emphasised human rights, gender equality and inclusive governance under the coordinating board.
Transition plan will reflect country readiness
The transition will proceed in phases, reflecting each country’s circumstances and readiness rather than following a rushed, uniform timetable.
To oversee that process, the board directed Byanyima to establish a Transition Task Team. Its membership will include secretariat representatives, co-sponsoring agencies and two community representatives nominated by the board’s non-governmental organisation delegation.
Before submitting a fully costed implementation plan, the team will consult implementing countries and other stakeholders. The board will then receive that plan.
