Miñones announces that Spain will join the UNAIDS Global Alliance to End All Forms of HIV-related Discrimination

The Minister for Health, José Miñones, has announced Spain's intention to join the UNAIDS Global Alliance of actions to eliminate all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination. It will thus be the second EU country to join, after Luxembourg. This is what he said after the meeting he held with the board of the State Coordinating Committee on HIV and AIDS (CESIDA) and with representatives of the delegation of the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

In this regard, the minister pointed out that the elimination of HIV-related stigma and discrimination will be a political priority during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Ministry intends to formalise the entry into this partnership with UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima.

Miñones also claimed that "Spain is a plural, open, tolerant and proud country, regardless of whoever it may concern".

"It will be a great opportunity for Spain to show its commitment, not only in the fight against HIV, but also to recognise and pay tribute to all those people who for decades have been silenced, blamed and stigmatised for having HIV", added the minister.

HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis Control Division of the Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health is developing the Strategic Plan for the prevention and control of HIV and other STIs 2021-2030 with the aim of eliminating HIV as a public health problem by 2030. Spain has already managed to surpass the 90-90-90 goal;

• That by 2020, 90% of people living with HIV know their HIV status
• That by 2020, 90% of people diagnosed with HIV are on antiretroviral therapy
• That by 2020, 90% of people on antiretroviral therapy to be virologically suppressed

UNAIDS sets a target of 95-95-95 on these three benchmarks by 2030 and zero discrimination. According to the latest data published by the Carlos III Health Institute in coordination with the Ministry of Health, in 2021/2022, 92.5% of people living with HIV in Spain are aware of their infection diagnosis, 96.6% are receiving antiretroviral treatment and 90.4% have suppressed viral load. In addition, the progress of the Social Pact for Non-Discrimination and Equal Treatment brings us closer to the goal of zero discrimination.

In light of this data, the Minister thanked and congratulated all the workers of the HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis Control Division of the Ministry of Health, as well as all NGOs and organisations, such as CESIDA, who have been fighting for years to eradicate HIV and AIDS and stigmatisation. "The HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis Control Division of the Ministry of Health does a commendable job in HIV prevention", said Miñones.

Undetectable = untransmittable

The minister also emphasised another message: "Undetectable = untransmittable". With this slogan, UNAIDS conveys to the public that scientific evidence shows that people living with HIV with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV through sexual intercourse.

The meeting took place at CESIDA's head office and was attended by Julia del Amo, Director of the HIV, STIs, Viral Hepatitis and Tuberculosis Control Division of the Ministry of Health; Reyes Velayos, President of CESIDA; Oliver Marcos, member; and Nuria Gatell, psychologist of the association. Christine Stegling, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director for Policy, Advocacy and Knowledge, Umunyana Rugege, UNAIDS Director of Human Rights, and Charlotta Bauer, UNAIDS consultant, also joined online.

Non official translation