Country-level operations at a glance
UNAIDS is a small, catalytic programme rather than a new agency.
Its structure and way of working are predicated on partnerships, first and
foremost with its own six cosponsoring organizations and the wider UN system.
Every effort is made to avoid duplicating mechanisms or structures that exist
already.
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The UN Resident Coordinator System was established by the
decision of the General Assembly. The UN Resident Coordinator has the
responsibility for the coordination of the UN system’s operational
activities for development at the national level, including HIV/AIDS-related
activities in cooperation with the host government. |
Accordingly, in developing countries and the economies in
transition, UNAIDS operates through the existing UN Resident Coordinator system.
The Resident Coordinator establishes a UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS composed of
the resident representatives (heads) of all UNAIDS cosponsors present in the
country. The host government is invited to participate. This interagency group
then meets regularly to coordinate and strengthen UN system support to national
action against AIDS.
In many countries the Theme Group has, or will have, the help of
a UNAIDS Country Programme Adviser, who also provides basic programme support to
the country's HIV/AIDS activities. In other countries, a cosponsor staff member
should be designated as the UNAIDS Focal Point to assist the Theme Group in its
work. In addition, UNAIDS operates intercountry technical teams that can be
called on, and provides direct support from its main office in Geneva.
At country level, therefore, UNAIDS can best be seen as the sum
of the AIDS-related activities carried out by its six cosponsors with the
backing of UNAIDS staff, technical guidance and other
resources.
