The United Nations has reaffirmed its belief that the end of AIDS is still possible by 2030, but stressed that achieving this goal will hinge on the actions of global leaders. In a roadmap outlined by the UNAIDS agency, the organization emphasized the need for investment, evidence-based prevention and treatment, as well as efforts to address existing inequalities hindering progress.
UNAIDS stated that ending the AIDS pandemic is fundamentally a political and financial choice. Executive Director Winnie Byanyima expressed confidence in the possibility of success within this decade. She pointed to the significant progress made in countries and regions that have made strong investments in combating HIV. Eastern and southern Africa, for instance, witnessed a 57% decline in new HIV infections since 2010.
Several countries, including Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, have already achieved the 95-95-95 targets. This means that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those aware of their HIV-positive status are receiving life-saving anti-retroviral treatment, and 95% of individuals on treatment achieve viral suppression. Additionally, 16 other countries, including Denmark, Kuwait, and Thailand, are close to reaching these targets.
Just two decades ago, the global AIDS pandemic appeared unstoppable, with over 2.5 million people contracting HIV each year and two million losing their lives annually. However, the situation has significantly improved. The UNAIDS report highlights the opportunity to end AIDS through increased political will, sustainable HIV responses, integration of health systems, non-discriminatory laws, gender equality, and empowered community networks.
According to UNAIDS, in 2022, there were 39 million people living with HIV globally, with 29.8 million accessing antiretroviral therapy. Unfortunately, 660,000 children are still missing out on treatment. The number of individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy has nearly quadrupled since 2010, with 82% of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV having access to treatment in 2022, leading to a 58% reduction in new infections among children.
While progress has been made, 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2022, a decrease of 59% compared to the peak in 1995. Additionally, 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses last year. Nonetheless, overall AIDS-related deaths have dropped by 69% since the peak in 2004.
Byanyima emphasized that the end of AIDS presents an opportunity for today’s leaders to be remembered as those who halted the world’s deadliest pandemic. However, she underscored the need for action and expressed a hopeful yet cautious sentiment.
Funding for HIV has regressed, with only $20.8 billion invested in 2022 – the same level as in 2013 – falling short of the $29.3 billion required by 2025. Although five countries decriminalized same-sex sexual relations between 2022 and 2023, laws criminalizing key populations or their behaviors remain in place in many nations, continuing to impact these groups disproportionately.
To sum up, the UN remains optimistic about the possibility of ending AIDS by 2030, but acknowledges the requirement for increased political commitment, financial resources, evidence-based strategies, and the elimination of inequality. The progress achieved to date underscores the potential for success, but only through decisive action can the end of AIDS become a reality.
