The United Nations Theme Group on HIV/AIDS was established in early 1996 in China. The purpose of the Theme Group is to:
- ensure effective and coordinated support by the UN system to the national AIDS programme
- help the UN system integrate its activities with national efforts
- facilitate the coordination of other support to the national AIDS programme.
Over time the Theme Group has been enlarged to include the Chinese Government, bilateral donors, international NGOs and national NGOs, besides the ten cosponsoring UN agencies of UNAIDS. Eventually, this Expanded Theme Group is expected to evolve into a National Partnership Forum. The work of the Expanded Theme Group has been characterised by the following:
- a common vision since the beginning of breaking the silence around HIV/AIDS
- a focus on action and concrete products, such as a joint assessment on HIV/AIDS
- a willingness to adapt and change over time – first advocacy, then joint strategic planning.