The UNAIDS office in Bonn, a vital component of the UNAIDS Secretariat's geographically dispersed "global center," has now become a member of the distinguished group of 25 UN agencies and organizations situated within the UN Bonn Campus.

“With this relocation of UNAIDS staff to Bonn, Germany shows its commitment to supporting the important work of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in the global AIDS response and reflects Germany’s commitment to global health overall. We hope that this move, as part of the realignment process, will contribute to a more effective and cost-efficient UNAIDS. We welcome the United Nations staff to Bonn," said the German Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach.

The Government of Germany, parliamentarians, civil society, and other partners in Germany have long shown commitment to global health and health security. A valued partner of UNAIDS, the Government of Germany is firmly dedicated to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, investing significant resources to ensure that no one is left behind. Germany’s global commitments to advancing human rights for all are inseparable from promoting health for all. This integrated approach is exemplified by its unwavering support for UNAIDS. UNAIDS is particularly grateful for the financial backing provided by the Federal Foreign Office for the relocation of UNAIDS to Bonn and the establishment of the office in the city.

“UNAIDS welcomes this important support from Germany. Germany is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to end AIDS through shared responsibility and global solidarity, and we look forward to working even more closely towards our common goals,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS.

The team of 45 UNAIDS staff members will serve as the central hub for key management support functions, including Information and Communications Technology, Finance, People Management, the Independent Evaluation Office, the Programme Planning and Field Support team, as well as the Regional Support Team for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.  

Ingrid Regien, Head of UNAIDS Bonn Office and Director of the ICT Department, envisions that the team in Bonn will contribute significantly to the goal of ending AIDS by nurturing a culture of innovations, fostering knowledge sharing and taking advantage of new technologies, including artificial intelligence. "The UNAIDS Office in Bonn will uphold close collaboration with partners in Germany. By ensuring excellency in management functions through digital technologies and innovations, we aim to create a substantial impact on UNAIDS' key mission and ultimately contribute to the goal of ending AIDS by 2030," she emphasized.

Over forty years since the first cases of AIDS were identified and twenty-seven years since UNAIDS was created, the world has proof that ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is possible. 

Millions of people living with HIV now enjoy long and healthy lives and the number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are on the decline. Science continues to generate new technologies and mechanisms to advance HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, including progress towards an HIV vaccine and a functional cure.

However, ending AIDS will not come automatically. AIDS claimed a life every minute in 2022. Around 9.2 million people still miss out on treatment, including 660 000 children living with HIV.

A new UNAIDS Global AIDS Report 2023 released in July 2023 shows that there is a clear path that ends AIDS. This path will also help prepare for and tackle future pandemics and advance progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Ending AIDS is a political and financial choice, including sustainable financing, evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment, health systems integration, non- discriminatory laws, gender equality, and empowered community networks.