Stigma and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity still drive new HIV infections and are an obstacle to treatment efforts in every part of the world.

On one level, Haiti’s HIV response parallels its earthquake recovery. Although the task is far from over, national and international stakeholders have collaborated to confront the challenge and important gains have been made.

Regional health and finance ministry representatives from eight Caribbean governments and civil society groups met with international development partners this week to discuss the sustainability of HIV responses in the Caribbean. They agreed to ten recommendations.

Today government representatives from the Health and Finance Ministries of eight Caribbean countries joined civil society and international development partners in Kingston, Jamaica to begin two days of deliberations on ensuring the survival of their HIV responses.

CONCACAF and UNAIDS signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to work together and engage football in the AIDS response, particularly among young people.

With several international partners soon to reduce or withdraw financial support and with regional economies feeling the crunch of the global economic slowdown, the gains of many national HIV programs are at stake.