GENEVA, 27 June 2025—UNAIDS 56^th Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) meeting concluded in Geneva, Switzerland this week at an unprecedented moment in the AIDS response with sudden and drastic cuts to HIV funding by international donors.

“We are seeing a massive interruption in international HIV financing which has created a systemic shock to the global HIV response, triggering huge disruptions to HIV treatment and prevention programmes around the world,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “However, our Joint Programme was created in crisis—it is in our DNA to face crisis and to fight our way out of crisis. We do not give up—we continue to stand with governments and communities as they commit to finish the fight to end AIDS.”

During the meeting board members endorsed UNAIDS’ new operating model based on the recommendations of the High-level panel for a resilient and fit-for-purpose UNAIDS and the direction of travel of UN80. The operating model underpins UNAIDS’ transformation, including the restructuring exercise currently underway for the UNAIDS Secretariat.

Board members endorsed four core functions for the UNAIDS Secretariat: Leadership and advocacy (including for global resource mobilization); Convening and coordination focused on sustainability of the global HIV response; Accountability through data, targets, strategy; and Community engagement—which will guide UNAIDS’ work going forward.

Board members, member states, civil society, communities, cosponsors and observers—all expressed solidarity with UNAIDS at this challenging juncture and board members showed their continued full confidence in the UNAIDS Joint Programme.

“UNAIDS has been at the centre of shaping programmes and policies for people living with HIV just like myself, and also for people who are risk of HIV like our children, adolescents, women and girls and all key populations. The work of UNAIDS is irreplaceable, it is a broker for governments, civil society and all partners ensuring that affected communities are effectively engaged but also meaningfully engaged in decisions that are made for us and importantly ensuring that the critical role we play in HIV and healthcare is protected. For me this is why the work of UNAIDS needs to continue. Let’s all rally behind the Joint Programme and support its continuity,” said Martha Clara Nakato, non-governmental delegate representing Africa.

An important outcome of the meeting was the Board's consideration of the outline for the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031. The Strategy and the 2030 targets, to be adopted in December 2025, will inform the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on AIDS and the Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS in 2026.

Many countries reiterated their pledges of support to UNAIDS, and a number made new pledges. Ms Byanyima expressed thanks to UNAIDS constant supporters: The Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, Norway, Canada, Japan and Monaco and showed her appreciation for the contributions received for 2025 and their steady support and leadership over many years.

She particularly appreciated the multiple year commitments made by Denmark, Australia, Netherlands, Ireland, Canada, China, Luxembourg and the UK. “This gives us certainty and predictability,” she said.

On the sidelines of the PCB, Ms Byanyima signed new funding agreements with the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia as well as with the Government of Flanders.

Belgium reconfirmed its long-standing partnership with UNAIDS through the upcoming renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding for 2025–2028, totalling €12 million. ‘Belgium is proud to be renewing its multi-year agreement with UNAIDS, supporting an effective multisectoral global HIV response that is rooted in human rights and places communities at the heart of the response. Belgium considers global health to be a global public good, which requires continued collective action and international cooperation. We will remain a committed partner in global health, to the fight against HIV and to multilateralism,’ said H.E. Mr. Christophe Payot, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Belgium to the United Nations.

Ms Byanyima thanked the German Government for advancing €2 million to UNAIDS on their core contribution for 2025 and an additional financial contribution of up to €500 000 for moving additional staff to the UNAIDS hub in Bonn. "The financial situation of the Joint Programme is dire and risks undermining UNAIDS’ crucial work in the global HIV response. In order to help ensure UNAIDS can deliver on its mandate in 2025, Germany is pleased to confirm a further contribution of €2 million as part of our overall commitment," said Paul Zubeil, Deputy Director-General for European and International Health Politics, Germany.

Spain announced that it will be increasing its core support to UNAIDS. Portugal announced that they would be doubling their contribution and Poland announced that they would also be increasing its contribution to UNAIDS.

“The contributions of all of our donors—whether it is core support or extrabudgetary support—provided in the past or present is precious and critical to our success,” said Ms Byanyima.

The 56^th PCB was chaired by Brazil, with the Netherlands serving as the Vice-Chair and Kenya as Rapporteur. The Report to the Board by the UNAIDS Executive Director, and the reports for each agenda item and the PCB’s decisions can be found here. The 57^th meeting of the PCB will take place 16-18 December 2025, in Brasilia, Brazil.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 25 June 2025— UNAIDS and Flanders have strengthened their joint efforts to combat the AIDS pandemic in Africa by signing a new cooperation agreement covering the period 2025—2026.

“I want to thank Flanders for their reliable and continued support to UNAIDS and for their strong leadership during this critical phase of the AIDS response,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima. “In these uncertain times, the consistency of Flanders’ engagement is highly appreciated and greatly valued.”

The agreement was signed during the 56th meeting of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, with the Flemish delegation headed by Katrien de Pauw, General Representative of Flanders to the United Nations in Geneva.

“To end AIDS by 2030, we must stay the course—we're close, now is not the time to give up. Flanders remains firmly committed to a sustainable finish,” said Ms de Pauw.

The €1.5 million contribution includes an annual €250,000 in core unspecified funds, €250,000 per year in core specified support for Mozambique, and €250,000 per year in core specified support for the seven other most affected countries of Southern Africa.

“This funding from Flanders will make a significant difference to the lives of people living with and affected by HIV in Mozambique, especially for women and girls and other marginalized and vulnerable groups of people. Hartelijk Bedankt Vlaanderen (Thank you Flanders)!” said Phillipe-Serge Degernier, a Belgian national and UNAIDS country director for Mozambique.

With 2.4 million people living with HIV in 2023, Mozambique has the second largest HIV epidemic after South Africa. A total of 2.1 million people in the country are on treatment to keep them well. However, the pause in US funding and the reduction to other international funding streams have complicated efforts to maintain HIV treatment, care and prevention efforts in the country and across the region.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 24 June 2025—Cambodia has strengthened their joint efforts to combat the AIDS pandemic by signing a new cooperation agreement with UNAIDS for a year and pledging US$ 100,000.

“This contribution shows the importance Cambodia places on UNAIDS, the HIV response, and the multilateral system,” said UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima. “Considering the significant cuts the global AIDS response faces, we thank you and we appreciate your solidarity.”

Cambodia is on track to achieve the 95-95-95 Global AIDS Strategy targets. Currently 92% of people living with HIV are aware of their status, almost all diagnosed people are on treatment, while more than 98% of those on treatment are virally suppressed. Since 2010, new infections have decreased by 45%. This is a greater decline than overall global results and more than three times faster than the average Asia-Pacific rate of decline.

A Cambodian delegation attended the 56^th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) meeting in Geneva June 24-26, headed by Ieng Mouly, Senior Minister and Chair of the National Cambodia AIDS Authority as well as Dara In, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Cambodia in Geneva, Switzerland.

“This contribution from the Royal Government of Cambodia is not just a financial investment in the global HIV response,” said Ieng Mouly. “This is also a symbol of our belief in UNAIDS, the UN Joint Programme on HIV, and the multilateral system. Therefore, financial support to UNAIDS is crucial. We urge other countries to commit and invest in UNAIDS to make ending AIDS a reality.”

Cambodia has been a board member of the UNAIDS PCB since 2023 and has recently been re-elected for a second term (2026–2028).

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 18 June 2025—The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved long-acting injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention. The new medicine is administered by injection once every 6 months and is a significant step in improving prevention options for people at risk of HIV infection around the world. In an interview with the New York Times, Gilead Sciences has announced a US list price of $28,218 USD per person per year. 

In a research paper published in The Lancet HIV this week, experts found that generic lenacapavir could cost $35-$46 per person-year. This could fall to $25 per person-year for a committed demand of five to ten million people within the first year, bringing pricing in line with or lower than current oral PrEP.

Responding to news of Lenacapavir’s FDA approval, Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS and United Nations Undersecretary-General, said:

“This is a breakthrough moment. The approval of lenacapavir is a testament to decades of public investment, scientific excellence, and the contributions of trial participants and communities. I congratulate Gilead and US partners for advancing this important innovation. Lenacapavir could be the tool we need to bring new infections under control – but only if it is priced affordably and made available to everyone who could benefit.

“UNAIDS has seen research that lenacapavir can be produced for just $40 per person per year, falling to $25 within a year of roll out. It is beyond comprehension how Gilead can justify a price of $28,218. If this game-changing medicine remains unaffordable, it will change nothing. I urge Gilead to do the right thing. Drop the price, expand production, and ensure the world has a shot at ending AIDS.”

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA/JOHANNESBURG, 20 June 2025—The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, has concluded a four-day mission to South Africa. During the visit Ms Byanyima recognized South Africa’s continued leadership in the national HIV response. She also gained a deeper understanding about the impact of the global funding cuts on HIV services, and reaffirmed UNAIDS support to the recently launched Close the Gap campaign—a push to ensure an additional 1.1 million people in the country have access to life-saving treatment.

The visit also served as an opportunity to explore how UNAIDS can support South Africa’s G20 Presidency and the country’s role as co-host of the Eight Replenishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria—a campaign to raise funds for the three diseases.

“I came here to listen, to understand and to support South Africa, the country with the highest burden of HIV,” said Ms Byanyima. “Around 7.8 million people in the country are living with HIV, the highest number in the world. UNAIDS is supporting the government to ensure that HIV prevention efforts are scaled up, that all people in need have access to treatment, and that South Africa can end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”

During her mission, Ms Byanyima’s engagements included a site visit to the Itireleng Community Health Centre in Soweto where she met with health workers and community-led monitors, monitoring HIV service delivery. She also met with civil society organizations and held high-level engagements with President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. Ms Byanyima commended South Africa for its continued political and financial leadership in its efforts to fill funding gaps to end AIDS.

While she noted South Africa’s significant financial contribution to the country’s HIV response, 76% of which is funded from domestic sources, Ms Byanyima saw firsthand how the loss of US funding (which was at 17%) is affecting HIV service delivery at the community level. She heard how more than 8,000 health workers and 1,600 data capturers who supported tracing and tracking patients in communities, have lost their jobs. Medicine supply chains, laboratories and information systems have been impacted and twelve specialized key population clinics in South Africa funded by the US have also closed.

Ms Byanyima praised both the government and civil society for their leadership and resilience amidst the funding cuts. “In Soweto I saw what the disruptions mean for the country. It is being felt by people most affected by HIV, including adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years who account for an estimated third of all new HIV infections–1,057 each week. We are now seeing a bigger gap in HIV prevention services,” said Ms Byanyima.

“But I am very pleased to hear about some of the efforts that are being made by the government to fill the gaps. I learned about the medical records of key population clients being transferred to nearby public healthcare centres where they can get treatment when their usual US funded clinics shut down, and the establishment of a clinic in Hillbrow to provide tailored services for sex workers. The Minister of Health shared ongoing government discussions with the Welcome Trust and the Gates Foundation to address the critical funding cuts in AIDS research that could halt scientific contribution to finding a vaccine. I am seeing real efforts by the government, including the investment of new resources into the national HIV response. This is very encouraging.”

Ms Byanyima’s visit coincided with the G20 Health Working Group meeting in Johannesburg. She reiterated her support to South Africa’s leadership of the G20, to advance international action to enable local production of medicines on every continent and to tackle the resource constraints on health faced by low- and middle-income countries through debt reduction and tax cooperation. The UNAIDS-convened international expert group, The Global Council on Inequality, AIDS, and Pandemics, is helping inform the deliberations of the G20.

South Africa’s leadership of the G20 this year is critical for global public health, as it works to tackle the inequalities that are holding back progress. UNAIDS is working in partnership with South Africa to support the G20 to enable access to medicines, expand fiscal space, and on addressing the social determinants of health.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

KOLWEZI, LUALABA PROVINCE, DRC, 9 June 2025 — On Friday, June 13, during the closing session of the Governors’ Conference in Kolwezi, Lualaba Province, His Excellency President Félix Tshisekedi will launch the Presidential Initiative to End Pediatric AIDS in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The launch of this bold initiative marks a renewed national commitment to addressing one of the most persistent and heartbreaking inequities in the country’s HIV response: children’s limited access to life-saving HIV treatment and prevention services.

Over recent decades, the DRC has made remarkable strides in rolling out HIV testing and treatment services nationwide. Today, an estimated 91% of adults living with HIV in the DRC are on antiretroviral therapy, thanks to strong collaboration between the government, civil society, affected communities, and key partners including PEPFAR, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, UNAIDS and its 11 co-sponsoring agencies, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), the private sector, and others.

But progress for children has lagged behind. Only 44% of children living with HIV in the DRC currently receive treatment. This proportion has remained tragically low for a decade, with thousands of children still newly infected each year. These infections are mostly due to missed opportunities to test pregnant women, which would enable timely interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission and keep mothers alive.

This gap underscores persistent challenges in the health system, including:

• Insufficient access to quality sexual and reproductive health services for women;
• Poor integration of HIV services within platforms for maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health;
• A fragile supply chain for essential medical commodities;
• Weak community systems and limited coordination between community actors and public services.

The Presidential Initiative to End Pediatric AIDS is a call for urgent and sustained action. It demands greater political leadership and accountability from Governors and provincial authorities, emphasizing the need for local solutions to local challenges. The initiative aims to:

1. Improve early HIV screening and quality of treatment for children, adolescents, and pregnant and breastfeeding women;
2. Prevent new HIV infections among children and mothers;
3. Ensure timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women;
4. Eliminate structural barriers that limit access to HIV screening and services for adolescents.

The five-year initiative, backed by at least USD 18 million in domestic funding, will complement existing national programs and investments, mobilizing localized efforts and innovations to close the pediatric HIV treatment gap in every province.

“At a time when global development financing is shifting and placing pressure on the systems that support our most vulnerable, the leadership of President Félix Tshisekedi in launching this initiative is a beacon of hope. UNAIDS salutes the President’s leadership and stands in full support of this bold and inspirational agenda,” said Dr Susan Kasedde, UNAIDS Country Director in RDC. 

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Mr Musk made the remarks during an interview with Bloomberg’s Mishal Husain at the Qatar Economic Forum on 20 May  

GENEVA, 21 May 2025—UNAIDS is deeply encouraged by the statement from Elon Musk that he will fix the current crisis related to a lack of US Government funding for lifesaving HIV services. UNAIDS is tracking daily the impacts of US funding cuts on HIV services for people living with and affected by HIV around the world as the data and stories of impact on UNAIDS website show.  

Currently, many HIV prevention programs supported by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) have been stalled. The Administration issued a limited waiver providing for continuity of some services, including comprehensive HIV testing and treatment, but it is not being fully implemented within countries, and the waiver excludes almost all HIV prevention services except those for pregnant and breastfeeding women.  

For detailed, specific examples of the impact of US funding cuts in dozens of countries see here: Impact of US funding cuts on the global HIV response | UNAIDS 

UNAIDS estimates indicate that the permanent discontinuation of HIV prevention and treatment programmes currently supported by PEPFAR would, between 2025 and 2029, lead to: 

• An additional 6.6 million new HIV Infections.
• Around 2300 additional new HIV infections per day.
• An additional 4.2 million AIDS-related deaths.
• Over 600 additional AIDS-related deaths per day. 

Estimating the potential impact of HIV response disruptions 

We can end the AIDS pandemic, but we cannot do so without continued partnership and leadership by the US on HIV prevention efforts for those most in need. Latest estimates show that 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2023; many were among the most marginalized and vulnerable groups, including young women and girls. Every week some 4000 young women and girls became infected in 2023.  

Some countries relied on PEPFAR for over 95% of their funding for HIV and while UNAIDS has been supporting countries' transition to self-reliant nationally funded responses, this transition must be done methodically to ensure no more lives are lost during this process. 

UNAIDS has also been impacted by US funding cuts; given the critical roles UNAIDS is playing to build a sustainable future for the AIDS response, the cuts undermine continued progress to end AIDS and transition to sustainability nationally owned and financed HIV responses.  

UNAIDS is encouraged by Mr Musk’s remarks and urges the US to continue their leading role in ending AIDS by restoring HIV prevention and treatment funding to countries most affected by HIV. UNAIDS stands ready to work hand in hand with the US to help support sustainable transitions in the coming months and into the future.

Watch original interview:

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Governments at the 78^th annual World Health Assembly have adopted a global Pandemic Agreement. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and other stakeholders played an important role in supporting the process by advocating for an agreement that centres equity and human rights.

Responding to the news, Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said:

“Amid the devastating crisis in global health funding, this truly global agreement offers a ray of hope. It is an affirmation that multilateralism remains possible, and indeed the only way to fight the viruses that exploit global divisions but refuse to respect borders.

I congratulate South Africa and France as Co-Chairs; Australia, Brazil, Egypt and Thailand as Vice-Chairs—each representing their region—and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros for this landmark achievement. 

The text is a commitment that global equitable access will be a guiding principle in pandemic preparedness, prevention and response. Crucially, governments will attach conditions to public funding—which means that, when a pharmaceutical company takes public money, it should come with clear conditions requiring equitable access. And it makes technology transfer a priority.

While the Agreement is a product of compromise—and governments should treat it as a floor, not a ceiling—still, it gives humanity some of the tools needed to ensure the next pandemic does not repeat the horrific inequity of HIV and COVID-19. It is our chance to break the pandemic-inequality cycle—and governments should be bold and swift in their implementation.”

Ms Byanyima will discuss the implications of the Pandemic Agreement on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly at an event organized by the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics on Wednesday 21 May, 08:30 – 10:00 CET. Find out more about UNAIDS’s engagements at #WHA78 here.

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

GENEVA, 19 May 2025— As funding cuts threaten to cause an additional 6 million new HIV infections and 4 million preventable AIDS-related deaths, UNAIDS is calling on governments and partners attending the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) to recommit to ending AIDS by 2030.

UNAIDS estimates that an additional 2300 people are contracting HIV every day. Without immediate action to dismantle barriers to healthcare, strengthen community-led responses, and unlock sustainable financing, a catastrophic loss of life and millions more new HIV infections could reverse decades of progress.

“I remember the darkest days of AIDS – the millions of lives lost, and the existential threat to global health security. We must not go back,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. “Amid disruption, the international community needs to come together to protect the gains made in the response to HIV and see this battle through to the end.”

A HIV prevention revolution

Long-acting injectable antiretroviral medicines such as lenacapavir – twice-yearly shots that are almost 100% effective in preventing new HIV infections – offer a chance to put the world back on track.

“We have an opportunity today of new, long-acting HIV prevention tools that could fundamentally reshape the HIV response and put us on course to end AIDS by 2030”, said Ms Byanyima. “We need a moonshot approach to mobilize a HIV prevention revolution – to scale-up these potentially revolutionary medicines and make them available and affordable to everyone who needs them.”

UNAIDS, the Global HIV Prevention Coalition, government ministers, community representatives, civil society and the pharmaceutical sector will discuss how to remove barriers to accessing lenacapavir, including pricing, intellectual property issues and regulatory hurdles at a special event on the sidelines of the WHA.

Preparing for future pandemic threats

During #WHA78, member states will adopt a Pandemic Agreement, after three years of negotiations reached a consensus last month. “UNAIDS watched in horror as the world repeated many of the mistakes of the AIDS pandemic with COVID-19. With the Pandemic Agreement, governments have a chance to say, ‘never again.’

“I congratulate South Africa and France as Co-Chairs; Australia, Brazil, Egypt and Thailand as Vice-Chairs — each representing their region — and WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus for this landmark achievement. It is proof that, even in times of crisis, multilateralism and global cooperation can deliver for humanity."

At #WHA78, UNAIDS will underline the importance of implementing the Agreement, embedding equitable, inclusive and rights-based approach, advancing access to medical innovations, centring community systems, and protecting human rights.

Communities at the heart of global health

The recent cuts in external funding for global health and development have devastated community-led organizations that deliver HIV services to people highly vulnerable to HIV. Many have had to close their doors or severely reduce their activities as international funding suddenly stopped.

UNAIDS, Coalition Plus, Frontline AIDS and UNAIDS are co-organizing an event at #WHA78, in collaboration with WHO, focusing on the urgent need to sustain and scale up community-led health systems amidst mounting global crises and shrinking international aid.

Africa’s pathway to sustainable health systems

UNAIDS has been working with governments to develop detailed transition plans towards greater domestic ownership of their HIV responses. Domestic resources already account for more than 60% of the HIV response. In the face of massive cuts to international funding, Global South leaders are stepping up and accelerating efforts, but many countries are still facing huge challenges to increase domestic HIV funding when budgets are being drained by unsustainable debt repayments.

UNAIDS will talk about the urgent need for international financial reform to enable sustainable health financing for Africa in an event co-organized with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and other partners.

UNAIDS KEY EVENTS AT #WHA78

PHNOM PENH, 16 May 2025—UNAIDS Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, saw firsthand Cambodia’s strong progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat during her 12-16 May mission. Among other achievements, the country treats 100% of people who are aware of their HIV status. Key approaches include national roll-out of modern HIV prevention and treatment tools, community-led service delivery and social protection. During the visit she discussed the sustainability of the response with the Royal Government and partners. 

“Cambodia’s HIV response demonstrates that ending AIDS is possible for low- and middle-income countries when we combine political will, community leadership and international support,” Ms Byanyima said.

Cambodia is on track to achieve the 95-95-95 Global AIDS Strategy targets. Currently 92% of people living with HIV are aware of their status. Almost all diagnosed people are on treatment, while more than 98% of those on treatment have achieved a suppressed viral load. Since 2010, new infections have decreased by 45%. This is higher than the overall global results and more than three times faster than the average Asia-Pacific rate of decline. 

The country employs a multisectoral approach that includes social assistance and free healthcare access for people living with HIV and key populations. It has also prioritized peer- and community-led voluntary counselling and testing, adherence support and prevention services. To achieve and sustain epidemic control there must be continued investments, including increased domestic financial ownership of the response.

H.E. Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet thanked the United Nations for its support of Cambodia’s socio-economic development and expressed appreciation for UNAIDS’ active role in strengthening its HIV response. 

“When we talk about building human capital, we must pay attention to the health of the people,” he said.

Prime Minister Hun Manet stressed the importance of deepening this cooperation and partnership while announcing a new financial contribution to UNAIDS. 

“This contribution is symbolic of the importance Cambodia places on UNAIDS, the HIV response, and the multilateral system,” Ms Byanyima said. “It sends a signal to donors and to other Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries about the importance of continued investment in ending pandemics.”

In a meeting with the UNAIDS Executive Director, community representatives called for continued funding for people-centered strategies, as well as support to end stigma and discrimination. 

Ms Byanyima’s mission included a visit to the National Clinic for AIDS, Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Phnom Penh. The clinic is a model for service integration and community-led care. Open seven days a week, it provides peer-led counseling, testing and treatment for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, non-communicable disease services, mental health screening and multiple pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) options. PrEP is the use of antiretroviral therapy by HIV-negative people to avoid contracting the virus if exposed.

In Siem Reap, Ms Byanyima joined the Health Action Coordinating Committee and Joint Forum of Networks of People Living with HIV and Key Populations awareness raising campaign on U=U (undetectable equals untransmittable). U=U refers to the scientific fact that people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load through successful treatment have zero chance of passing the virus to a sexual partner. Cambodia has embraced this concept to not only increase treatment adherence but also stop stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

“HIV cannot harm us if we take our ARV medication correctly, regularly, and consistently,” said Sorn Vichheka, Coordinator of the Cambodian Community of Women Living with HIV at the U=U event. “When our viral load is undetectable, we cannot transmit the virus to our partners. This means we can live freely—we can dream, work, love, have families, and even have children, just like anyone else.”

UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.