Regions share certain realities. These may include similarities in legal and political systems, cultural rites, and gender norms and practices, as well as socio-economic conditions, all influencing HIV epidemics in particular directions within these regions. Therefore, tailored and differentiated responses that respond to the epidemiological and social realities of different regions and countries are important.  

This issue brief shares lessons and reflections on the importance of regional spaces for strengthening responses, to inform the implementation of key commitments in the Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS and the Global AIDS Strategy. These include an appreciation that convening stakeholders in regional spaces can be safer than in national spaces; regional-level discussions can foster peer-to-peer knowledge exchanges; regional level networking can lead to a network of in-country allies; and importance of regional economic communities for aligning national HIV-related laws with human rights commitments. 

UNDP has worked with governments, civil society organizations and other partners to advance the recommendations of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law in 90 countries. This is part of a set of four issue briefs highlighting lessons learned coming out of the external evaluation of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law.

For access to the rest of the briefs, please click on the following links: Issue Brief #1: Enabling Legal Environments, Including Decriminalization for HIV responses | Issue Brief #2: The role of the judiciary in the HIV response | Issue Brief #4: Safe and open civic spaces for HIV responses