Global HIV Response Faces Crisis Amid Funding Cuts

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has issued a warning regarding the global fight against HIV/AIDS, indicating that funding cuts threaten decades of progress. A report released at the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, revealed that in 2025, approximately 1.2 million people acquired HIV, and 570,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses.

The report emphasizes that without urgent action to meet global targets by 2030, over three million additional infections could occur. Despite the lowest levels of HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in over three decades, the report indicates that around nine million of the estimated 41 million people living with HIV were not receiving antiretroviral treatment in 2025.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima stated that while recent scientific breakthroughs have improved prevention methods, access remains a critical issue. Countries like Brazil, Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Africa have made strides in expanding access to prevention medicines, but global access remains limited.

The report also highlights a 23% decline in international financial support in 2025.