Today, December 1, WHO joins partners and communities to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025, under the theme “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response“, calling for sustained political leadership, international cooperation, and human-rights-centered approaches to end AIDS by 2030.

After decades of progress, the HIV response stands at a crossroads. Life-saving services are being disrupted, and many communities face heightened risks and vulnerabilities. Yet amid these challenges, hope endures in the determination, resilience, and innovation of communities who strive to end AIDS.

Statistics indicate that in 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally.

Approximately 630 000 people died from HIV‑related causes in 2024 and

An estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2024.

Prioritize and integrate

Two people sitting at a desk facing each other and looking at paperwork.

The HIV response is shifting, offering a vital opportunity to reset. By:

simplifying and prioritizing access to HIV prevention, testing, treatment;
strengthening management of drug resistance and advanced HIV disease; and
integrating these services within a primary health care approach that includes strong community-based services.

Countries can reach more people in need with holistic services, sustaining gains, and building resilient health systems that serve everyone, everywhere.

Address inequity

Ending AIDS means addressing the inequalities that drive the epidemic. Children and adolescent girls and young women face heightened vulnerabilities, particularly across the Africa region. And key populations including men who have sex with men, trans and gender diverse people, people who use drugs, sex workers and people in prisons in all regions face increased HIV risk.

Protecting rights and ensuring access to services for everyone is essential to stopping new infections and achieving health equity.

Scale innovation

Two women sitting in an office, one explaining and showing things on a tablet to the other.

The fight against HIV has never been easy, yet resilience and innovation continue to define the response.

As global funding falters, advances like long-acting lenacapavir – a six-monthly injection to prevent HIV, remind us that progress continues. With commitment and creativity, we can ensure that lifesaving long acting antiretrovirals for prevention and treatment reach those in most need.

Empower communities

Four people inside a community testing site in Viet Nam

Communities are the driving force of the HIV response. People living with HIV and those most affected, including key populations bring the insight, courage, and innovation needed to overcome today’s challenges.

When these communities join forces with health workers, policymakers, and partners, new pathways to success emerge, built on trust, equity and shared purpose.

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