UNODC, UNAIDS's convening agency for HIV among people who use drugs and people in prison, implements its mandate in full compliance with the relevant declarations, resolutions and decisions from the UN General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, the Commission on Narcotic Drugs, the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the UNAIDS PCB.
UNODC’s comparative advantage within the Joint Programme lies in its mandate and expertise in working with ministries of health, justice and the interior, as well as with drug control and law enforcement agencies, prison authorities and civil society, including networks of people who use drugs.
UNODC is committed to implementing the 2021–2026 Global AIDS Strategy and the UNODC Strategy (2021–2025) in synergy to magnify their impact on the HIV response among people who use drugs and people in prisons. UNODC support to countries is based on the comprehensive package of HIV prevention, treatment and care services, the UN Standards Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules) and the technical brief on HIV prevention, treatment and care in prisons and other closed settings.
In 2022-2023, UNODC supported the Joint Programme, towards achieving the SDGs and meeting the 2025 targets outlined in the 2021–2026 Global AIDS Strategy.
- Implemented and scaled up evidence-based harm reduction programmes. Thanks to UNODC technical support and advocacy, opioid agonist therapy programmes was initiated in 7 countries. To increase political commitment for harm reduction programmes, UNODC, WHO and the Global Fund conducted high-level advocacy meetings in 4 countries in southern Africa followed by targeted technical support.
- Enhanced capacity for an evidence- and-human rights-based response to HIV and drug use. UNODC implemented a large capacity-building programme in its high-priority countries, using technical guidance which had been developed in collaboration with the UNAIDS Secretariat, WHO, the International Network of People Who Use Drugs and Harm Reduction International.
- Enhanced capacities of community-led organizations. UNODC supported the International Network of People Who Use Drugs to evaluate the impact of criminalization of drug use on people who use drugs and enhance evidence-informed advocacy skills for achieving the 10–10–10 targets in the 2021–2026 Global AIDS Strategy.
- Strengthened efforts to address HIV in prison. UNODC delivered multiple trainings targeted technical support to several high-priority countries and. This support focused on: reviewing, developing and implementing evidence-informed and human rights-based legislation, national strategies, guidelines and related standard operating procedures for health and HIV services in prison settings ; opioid agonist therapy; and HIV services and harm reduction for people who use, including new psychoactive substances and stimulants.
- Ensured continuity of HIV services in humanitarian settings. UNODC supported 13 civil society organizations in Ukraine, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia and Ukraine to ensure uninterrupted provision of HIV services during the humanitarian crisis. The support benefited more than 200 000 people, including key populations, refugees and internally displaced persons.
