On the opening day of the 26th International Aids Conference in Rio de Janeiro, taking place from 27 to 31 July 2026, UNAIDS is releasing a new report showing the extent and impact of funding cuts and disruptions experienced in 2025 as well as global progress in the AIDS response.   

The new report ‘United to End AIDS’ will show the severity of the cuts to funding and the impact on HIV prevention, community services, key populations and the sustainability and future of the AIDS response.  

The report will include countries experiencing rises in new HIV infections as well as countries continuing to progress towards reaching the 2030 targets and will look at ways forward to end AIDS by 2030.  

WHAT: Launch of new UNAIDS Report on HIV United to End AIDS 

WHEN: Monday 27 July, 14:00 BRT, 17:00 GMT, 19:00 CET 

MEDIA REGISTRATION: Registration | AIDS 2026 | International AIDS Society (IAS) 

INTERVIEWS: UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, senior UNAIDS staff and experts across all regions are available for interviews. 

CONTACT:  

Sophie Barton-Knott | bartonknotts@unaids.org | +41 79 514 6896 

Daniel De Castro | DeCastroD@unaids.org | +55 61 9 8221 1502 

Thaina Da Rosa Kedzierski | KedzierskiTH@unaids.org | +55 61 9 9304 2654 

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.

UNAIDS mourns the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-NC), a United States Senator whose decades of public service were distinguished by an unwavering belief that American leadership in the global HIV response carries both strategic purpose and moral responsibility.  

UNAIDS extends our deepest condolences to Senator Graham’s family, friends, staff and colleagues, and to the people of North Carolina on his passing. 

Throughout his career in the Senate, Senator Graham recognized the importance of international cooperation and U.S. support for global efforts to fight HIV/AIDS and other global health challenges, reflecting his belief that such investments contribute to human well-being, security and global stability. 

In April 2023, Senator Graham played a leading role in a bipartisan push to reauthorize the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), saying, 

“We must come together once again to reauthorize PEPFAR and work to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Now is the time to remind the world what American leadership can accomplish when we put our minds and hearts to it.” 

https://www.boozman.senate.gov/2023/4/the-hill-american-generosity-has-saved-25-million-lives-and-counting-let-s-reauthorize-pepfar-now

As a steadfast supporter of PEPFAR, Senator Graham was a consistent advocate of U.S. leadership in the global HIV response, leading bipartisan Congressional political and financial support to advance one of the most successful global health initiatives in history. Through PEPFAR, the U.S. government has played a transformative role in the global HIV response, saving millions of lives around the world and preventing millions of new HIV infections. 

Senator Graham consistently worked across the aisle, helping to sustain unwavering bipartisan U.S. support for the global HIV response in the U.S. Congress for addressing global health and development challenges. He was a relentless advocate within the Republican party to ensure and maintain support for global health programs. 

As Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Senator Graham supported robust U.S. funding for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, and global health security, recognizing the important role these investments play in advancing health and development outcomes globally. He knew the importance role health and development programs in creating safer and more stable environments around the world. 

Senator Graham’s legacy will be reflected in the transformative policies and programmes he supported, including his efforts to advance the global HIV response. His commitment to public service and bipartisan engagement contributed to global progress that has benefited countries and communities around the world. May his memory inspire bipartisan commitment for continued U.S. leadership in global efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.