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.