Because of its multisectoral nature, HIV prevention cannot be addressed in isolation. For example, it is strongly linked to poverty eradication which also involves multisectoral interventions and stakeholders. Therefore, National Strategic Plans (NSPs) on HIV/AIDS should take into consideration the findings of the CCAs and CPAs and be aligned with UNDAFs, Sector-wide Approaches (SWAps), Country Development Frameworks (CDFs), and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs).

Inter-agency cooperation and coordination is needed for defining goals, targets, benchmarks and roles based on comparative advantages to maximize the United Nations system’s impact on the epidemic at the country level. For example, combined agency technical assistance efforts could assist in national institution-building, programmatic integration (e.g., national reproductive health and HIV/AIDS programmes, which are often developed separately), the preparation and reformulation of legislation in the field of HIV/AIDS, and guidance enabling countries to transform laws into public policies at the local level.

The population situation analysis, as part of the CCA process, is the initial step in the UNFPA integrated country programming cycle. Utilizing the ICPD framework, the situation analysis consists of two parts: a country assessment in the areas of population, reproductive health and gender, providing an in-depth analysis of the current situation and identifying critical health needs; and recommendations for strategic actions to address these critical needs. Findings of the situation analysis are linked to the CDF, UNDAF and assistance programmes of the international donor community.

As the epidemic within each country is dynamic and rapidly changing, country-level components of support within the three UNFPA sub-programme areas should be reviewed and revised as necessary during country programme development or annual and mid-term reviews. HIV/AIDS activities need to be mainstreamed into ongoing programmes whenever and wherever feasible preferably with, activities identified at the programme development stage. However, even when financial resources have already been allocated, a careful analysis during reprogramming exercises such as annual and mid-term reviews can reveal relatively low-cost opportunities to mainstream HIV/AIDS into ongoing programme activities. This process should take place with adherence to certain fundamental principles: integration of HIV prevention into the Fund’s sub programme areas regardless of the country’s HIV prevalence rate; and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH/A) involved as full partners at all stages of planning, development and implementation to ensure that their needs and sensitivities are being addressed.

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