A landmark report released on Tuesday by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) signals the global HIV response has suffered its biggest setback in decades. Titled "Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response," the study warns that reduced international funding and weakened global solidarity have put HIV prevention and treatment services at risk.
New data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) show external health assistance is set to decline by 30–40 percent in 2025 compared to 2023. These abrupt cuts have already led to serious disruptions to health services in low- and middle-income countries, undermining years of progress.
Prevention efforts are bearing the brunt of the downturn:
- Shortages of HIV prevention medicines
- Sharp decline in voluntary medical male circumcision
- Disbanded programs supporting adolescent girls and young women, leaving gaps in prevention, mental health and gender-based violence services
UNAIDS warns that if the next Global AIDS Strategy’s 2030 targets are not met, an additional 3.3 million people could become newly infected with HIV between 2025 and 2030. Currently, an estimated 40.8 million people are living with HIV, 1.3 million new infections occurred in 2024, and 9.2 million people still lack access to treatment.
Ahead of World AIDS Day on December 1, 2025, UNAIDS is calling on global leaders to reaffirm their commitment to solidarity, multilateralism and a shared effort to end AIDS. This includes maintaining funding for HIV services, investing in innovation, protecting human rights and empowering communities.
“This is our moment to choose,” said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS. “We can allow these shocks to undo decades of hard-won gains, or we can unite behind the shared vision of ending AIDS. Millions of lives depend on the choices we make today.”
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
