Monica
Ciupagea

  • Expert - Drug use and HIV,
  • HIV/AIDS SectionUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
  • Vienna,
  • Austria
In programme
  • November 23 12:20 to 13:10
  • November 24 10:50 to 12:20
View hours & dates

About

Monica Ciupagea is an HIV/AIDS Expert focusing on Drug Use and HIV at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). A national of Romania, she received her medical degree from the University of Medicine "Carol Davila" Bucharest.

Monica has over 20 years of experience in the field of HIV prevention, treatment and care among people who use drugs and in providing support to underserved communities such as prisoners, street children, Roma communities and sex workers.

Monica has contributed to the development of gender-tailored public health initiatives and HIV prevention-related strategies at the local, regional and national level throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as well as in South and South East Asia, focusing on addressing the specific needs of women who use drugs.

During her time at UNODC Monica has also championed civil society participation in the UN system, including through establishing the UNODC Civil Society Group on Drug Use and HIV, which develops a joint work plan to be implemented in partnership by UNODC and members of civil society. She is also the UNODC focal point for the Global Fund Harm Reduction Working Group.

She has facilitated the publication of numerous UNODC technical publications, including “HIV prevention, care, treatment and support for people who use stimulant drugs”, “Implementing comprehensive HIV and HCV programmes with people who inject drugs: practical guidance for collaborative interventions” (IDUIT), and two guides on addressing the specific needs of women who use drugs – one on “Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and C and syphilis” and a “Practical guide for service providers on gender-responsive HIV services”.

Prior to joining the HIV/AIDS Section of UNODC, Monica worked for almost 8 years for the International Harm Reduction Development Program of the Open Society Institute (OSI) focusing on HIV/AIDS, injecting drug use, and human rights.