UNAIDS warns HIV funding cuts threaten global progress toward ending AIDS by 2030

What the report says

Sunrise.ug reports that UNAIDS has warned that reductions in international HIV financing are putting global progress against AIDS at risk, including the target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The warning was contained in a special UNAIDS report released during the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, held from July 27 to 31. The agency said funding disruptions are affecting prevention, testing, treatment support and community-led services, even as new prevention medicines become available.

According to the report cited by Sunrise.ug, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are at their lowest point in more than three decades, but the response remains vulnerable. UNAIDS estimated that 1.2 million people acquired HIV in 2025, about 41 million people were living with the virus, roughly 9 million were not on treatment, and more than 570,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses. It also noted major gains in some countries, including Benin, Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Nepal, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, which have sharply reduced new infections since 2010.

The report says global HIV financing from international sources fell from US$8.8 billion in 2024 to US$7.3 billion in 2025, an 18% decline. UNAIDS said many high-burden, low-income African countries rely heavily on external support, especially for prevention and community-led programmes. The agency also warned that cuts have affected condom supplies and services for marginalized groups.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima said scientific advances, including injectable HIV prevention medicines, must be matched with affordable and equitable access. The report also linked progress to human rights protections, warning that criminalization, stigma and discrimination can deter people from seeking HIV services.