The events marking World AIDS Day, 1 December 2009 was organized, as is tradition, through the joint efforts of the UN Theme Group on AIDS (UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNHCR, WHO, UNFPA and UNIFEM) and in collaboration with local partners.

The UN RC a.i. Carlos Maldonado, together with a representative of the Ministry of Health,   Dr Aleksandar Arnikov and the National AIDS coordinator, Dr Milena Stevanovik held a joint Press Conference. Mr. Maldonado highlighted that “…we are entering the third decade since we’ve learned of HIV. The fear of discrimination of infected persons results in them keeping it to themselves, leading to the increased spread of infection. The good news is that the healthcare bodies and the civil sector are aware of the existence of this problem”, however “…the discrimination against sexual workers, drug users and men who have sex with men only inflames the epidemic and prevents effective interventions".

Following the Press-conference, participants at a Round Table discussed a recent UN report on the issue. The panel consisted of experts in human rights, public health, service deliverers for most-at-risk populations, policy makers, multilateral agencies and young people. The round table moderator, Mr. Zarko Trajanovski, a human rights activist, highlighted the priorities for actions, such as the need for the early adoption of the anti-discrimination law, de-penalization of sex work, introduction of sexual education in schools and the mobilization of all stakeholders to safeguard the human rights for most-at-risk populations.
 
An initiative undertaken by members of the Y-peer network included painting of T-shirts with topics from this year theme (Right to live, Right to health. The designed shirts were shared to the visitors in exchange for donations, later given to the Clinic for Infectious Diseases

The final event was the Positive Concert, as a part of the “TAKSIRAT” Festival, which attracted more than 2500 young people. The concert included performers such as Dani, the UNFPA regional role model for the prevention of HIV/AIDS among young people as well as other famous Macedonian pop and rock bends.

During the concert, educational materials and condoms were distributed. An Outreach VCT Van was placed near the venue and free-of-charge Volunteer Confidential Counseling and Testing for HIV/AIDS was promoted and offered to the public.