‘Perilous moment’ threatens to reverse years of gains in HIV/AIDS response
‘Perilous moment’ threatens to reverse years of gains in HIV/AIDS response
Perilous moment threatens to reverse years - A UN report has raised alarm over potential setbacks in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, citing significant challenges that could undo progress made over recent years. Declines in international funding, growing resistance to human rights advocacy, and persistent lack of investment in prevention initiatives and community support are identified as critical threats.
"This is the most severe disruption in the HIV response since global collaboration began addressing the epidemic," remarked Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAIDS.
Sub-Saharan Africa continues to see alarming rates of new infections, with 3,000 adolescent girls and young women contracting HIV each week. This trend highlights the ongoing struggle to protect the most at-risk groups from the disease.
"The combination of funding reductions, shrinking civic freedoms, and heightened criminalization of marginalized communities has created a crisis unlike any seen before," Byanyima emphasized.
UNAIDS reports that limited access to treatment and the virus’s continued spread are now major concerns. The organization’s findings underscore the fragility of current efforts as external financial support dwindles.
Key findings from the Global AIDS brief - United to end AIDS
Development assistance for HIV programs reached a historic low in 2025, declining by 23 per cent globally. This decline has severely impacted testing initiatives, which saw a 22 per cent drop in high-burden regions between 2024 and 2025.
Condom distribution programs faced drastic cuts, with reductions exceeding 90 per cent in certain areas. Meanwhile, legal measures targeting same-sex relationships worsened, as two nations enacted new criminal laws in 2025 and another escalated penalties in 2026.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adoption plummeted, decreasing by 38 per cent in 62 countries monitored by UNAIDS between 2024 and 2025. The report also notes a troubling increase in legal actions against vulnerable populations, marking the first rise in such measures since tracking began.
With prevention strategies under strain, the global initiative to scale up HIV response is at risk. Prevention remains poorly funded, accounting for just 11 per cent of total HIV spending in 2024, and this shortfall is growing.
Progress and emerging risks
Despite recent challenges, the HIV response has historically been a triumph of global health. AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 56 per cent since 2010, from 1.3 million to 570,000 in 2025. New infections also declined by 43 per cent, reaching 1.2 million in 2025.
Remarkably, 78 per cent of the 40.9 million people living with HIV are now receiving treatment. However, this achievement is now vulnerable as funding declines, making treatment gains less certain.
A recent analysis of 79 community organizations across 47 countries revealed severe service cuts: support services for HIV-positive individuals dropped by 50 per cent, while men who have sex with men experienced an 85 per cent reduction in access to care.
UNAIDS warns that weakened community support erodes the effectiveness of the entire response, particularly in regions where infections are rising. These include Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America.
Looking ahead: A critical political decision
At the upcoming UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS from 22 to 23 June, nations will finalize a new political declaration aimed at achieving an AIDS-free future by 2030. The declaration sets ambitious goals, such as treating 40 million people and ensuring 20 million gain access to prevention tools.
"If we commit to the Global AIDS Strategy and adopt a robust declaration, ending AIDS by 2030 is still achievable," said Byanyima. "But inaction risks undoing decades of progress."