UNAIDS’ new World AIDS Day 2025 report shows that, despite a difficult year for global health financing, many countries have managed to protect key parts of their HIV response and introduce new prevention tools.
Progress that held firm
While international funding cuts created service gaps in low- and middle-income countries, HIV treatment access in several regions remained stable.
Nigeria, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa and Tanzania increased domestic spending to keep treatment programmes running. Some countries even saw a rise in new treatment initiations after taking urgent steps to prevent service disruption.
Innovation has also played a role. Long-acting injectable HIV prevention—given twice a year—is moving closer to wider availability. Partnerships announced in 2025 aim to secure affordable generic versions of essential HIV medicines, reducing costs to around USD 40 per person per year in some settings.
Why the warning matters
The report notes that the global slowdown in health assistance has made existing inequalities more visible. Community-led organisations, especially those supporting young women, key populations and grassroots prevention initiatives, are among the most affected. UNAIDS warns that missing the 2030 targets could lead to millions of additional infections.
A call to action
UNAIDS urges governments and partners to maintain international support while countries build sustainable domestic systems. The organisation calls for investment in new prevention and treatment technologies, expanded access to long-acting options such as lenacapavir, and stronger protection of human rights to ensure equitable access to services.
The numbers
- 40.8 million people are living with HIV
- 1.3 million new infections recorded in 2024
- 9.2 million people still do not have access to treatment
UNAIDS stresses that the tools to end AIDS exist. What is needed now is consistent investment, support for communities, and political commitment to preserve the progress made.
01.12.2025.
