New UN “AIDS Awareness” stamps makes history

For the first time in its history, the United Nations today issued a set of stamps on AIDS awareness to raise funds to combat the epidemic.

An extra six cents added onto each special commemorative stamp will be contributed to the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria championed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The stamps will be issued in three denominations - the Swiss franc, United States dollar and euro.

The new stamp, which depicts the UN Secretariat building with a large red AIDS ribbon on its façade, was adapted from a photograph taken by UN photographer Evan Schneider.

In addition to the special fundraising stamps, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) also issued a set of three regular commemorative stamps under the AIDS awareness theme.

Also today, UNPA issued a stamp in honour of Switzerland’s joining the UN. This follows the historic Swiss referendum in March, which paved the way for Switzerland to become the UN's 190th.

The stamp, a graphic interpretation of a cross and a dove with a Swiss flag in orange and blue tones, was designed by Thierry Clauson. It portrays “vitality, mobility, sensibility,” said the UNPA in its announcement today.