Last month, reforms proposed by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres included a plan to wind down UNAIDS in 2026. But that clashes with the agency’s own board-approved plans – and now the UNAIDS board has reaffirmed its decision for a more gradual transition and cost-cutting.
The board endorsed UNAIDS’ new operating model back in June. Under the new model, the secretariat will operate with less than half of its current staff and downsize its country footprint and functions, with further transitions expected to take place post-2027, before potentially winding down altogether in 2030.
UNAIDS leadership said it submitted the board decision to Guterres and has kept him and the team working on the U.N.-wide reform effort aimed at greater efficiency — the UN80 Initiative — “fully appraised” on the work on UNAIDS’ new operating model.
About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.
