United Nations Initiative Raises Awareness on AIDS Epidemic

Strategic Insights -

The Universal Postal Union (UPU) is issuing a series of stamps and products across 20 countries to commemorate 30 years of battling the AIDS epidemic. The initiative aims to raise awareness on the critical issue of HIV and is part of the global HIV campaign launched by the UPU, the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and UNI Global. The stamps, to be released in June 2011, will be a visible reminder of the impact of AIDS and will play a crucial role in breaking down stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease.

Key Takeaways:

  • The initiative involves the issuance of at least 20 postal services' stamps across various countries, including Belarus, Fiji, Iraq, Malawi, and Uruguay.
  • Nearly 3 million individual stamps will circulate within and across borders, highlighting the global reach of the initiative.
  • The stamps will be sold at Universal Postal Union offices in New York, Geneva, and Vienna.
  • The initiative is part of the global HIV campaign launched in 2009 by the UPU, UNAIDS, ILO, and UNI Global.
  • The global HIV campaign aims to raise awareness on critical issues like HIV/AIDS and address the stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease.
  • The UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibe, stated that the initiative will play a big role in helping to break down some of the barriers surrounding AIDS.

Statistics:

  • 20 postal services around the world are issuing stamps as part of the initiative.
  • 60 million people have become infected with HIV since the beginning of the epidemic.
  • Nearly 30 million people have died of AIDS-related causes.
  • The initiative involves the release of nearly 3 million individual stamps.
  • 30 heads of State and government are expected to attend the high-level meeting on AIDS at UN Headquarters in New York.

Sources:

  • M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX, June 07, 2011
  • Universal Postal Union (UPU)
  • Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
  • International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • UNI Global