New HIV infections, AIDS deaths hit 30-yr low, but world remains off track: Reports

The world is making significant strides against HIV, with new infections and AIDS-related deaths hitting their lowest points in over three decades. However, this progress falls short of the goal to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. According to the latest UNAIDS report, by the end of 2025, a vast majority of people living with HIV knew their status, were on treatment, and had achieved viral suppression. Globally, 40.9 million people were living with HIV in 2025, a number that has seen new infections reduced by 65% since their 1995 peak. AIDS-related deaths have also plummeted by 74% since 2004.

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In 2025, HIV responses around the world were disrupted by shifts in funding that threatened to stall years of progress in the HIV response. In 2025, external financing for all development sectors fell by 23% compared with 2024.

Despite these gains, the report highlights growing uncertainty and funding pressures on the global HIV response. While emerging economies and South-South cooperation are contributing, external financing for development sectors, including HIV, has declined. Countries like China and India are stepping in with financial commitments and medicine supplies, but the overall landscape remains challenging. The work of vital community-led organizations, which support people living with HIV, is particularly jeopardized by recent funding disruptions, threatening treatment sustainability, especially in regions heavily reliant on external aid.

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Emerging economies and south–south cooperation are contributing to HIV financing at limited scale. In 2025, China announced a two-year US$3.49 million partnership to expand HIV prevention services in South Africa (50). India has contributed through commitments to supply antiretroviral medicines to support HIV responses…

Achieving the 2030 targets requires a substantial increase in annual funding, reaching an estimated $21.9 billion by 2030 in low- and middle-income countries. This is only a slight increase from the $18.7 billion available in 2024. Experts have outlined a blueprint, the 2026–2031 Global AIDS Strategy, to guide efforts. The report emphasizes that ending AIDS is still possible, but only if global solidarity is restored and deep-seated inequalities are addressed.

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The work of these organizations is in jeopardy due to the recent funding disruptions. Treatment sustainability is fragile, with strong reliance on external funding, for example, 90% in western and central Africa and 38% in eastern and southern Africa in 2024.