IAPAC, UN-Habitat Partner to End Urban HIV, TB, HCV Epidemics
Memorandum of Understanding Signed at 10th World Urban Forum
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (February 12, 2020) – The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) and the United Nations Programme on Human Settlements (UN-Habitat) announced a new partnership today to strengthen the efforts of Fast-Track Cities to end their urban HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and viral hepatitis epidemics within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable). Today’s announcement coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IAPAC and UN-Habitat at the 10th World Urban Forum.
“Addressing the need for people to live in cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable is essential to ending the HIV, TB, and viral epidemics.” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, IAPAC President/CEO, who signed the MoU today alongside Mr. Victor Kisob, Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “Through this partnership with UN-Habitat we embark on a ‘Decade of Action’ to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality within the context of the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities and the New Urban Agenda.”
By signing the MoU, IAPAC and UN-Habitat agree to engage in joint advocacy and best practice-sharing among Fast-Track Cities regarding the health-related priorities in the New Urban Agenda, which was adopted at the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito, Ecuador, in 2016, and endorsed by the UN General Assembly that same year. The New Urban Agenda outlines global principles, policies, and standards required to achieve sustainable urban development. The IAPAC and UN-Habitat partnership will also prioritize the collection and dissemination of programmatic and other data to enhance public health interventions.
“Thriving cities must be healthy cities and this collaboration with IAPAC brings on board experts from the two agencies to address a core issue of getting cities on that last mile towards ending their HIV epidemics. Cities must have the knowledge, technology, data, and funding that can ensure that no one and no community is left behind,” said Mr. Victor Kisob.
The 10th World Urban Forum is convened by UN-Habitat to promote sustainable urban development. This year’s forum theme is “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation.”
About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
With more than 30,000 members globally, IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
About UN-Habitat
UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable and inclusive human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.
About Fast-Track Cities
Fast-Track Cities is a network of more than 300 cities and municipalities striving to their end urban HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030.
