The 2025 funding crisis has severely disrupted global HIV prevention and community-led services, particularly in vulnerable populations. UNAIDS’ new World AIDS Day report warns that the AIDS response is facing its most serious setback in decades, driven by abrupt reductions in international assistance and weakening global solidarity. External health funding is projected to decline by up to 40 percent compared to 2023, causing immediate service gaps and deepening existing shortfalls in low- and middle-income countries.
The report highlights how prevention programmes have been hit hardest, with reduced access to essential HIV prevention medicines, steep declines in voluntary medical male circumcision, and the collapse of programmes serving adolescent girls and young women. Community-led organizations, central to reaching people most at risk, have faced widespread closures, with more than 60 percent of women-led groups suspending services. UNAIDS estimates that failure to meet global HIV targets by 2030 could result in an additional 3.3 million infections.
The crisis is unfolding amid worsening global human rights conditions. For the first time since 2008, more countries are criminalizing same-sex relations and gender expression, while restrictions on civil society are increasing. These developments further limit access to lifesaving HIV services for marginalized communities, heightening inequalities and vulnerabilities.
Despite the challenges, several countries have acted rapidly to protect HIV services. Nations such as Nigeria, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa and Tanzania have increased domestic investments, helping stabilize treatment delivery. UNAIDS is supporting over 30 countries to strengthen national sustainability plans. Innovation is also providing new opportunities, including long-acting HIV prevention injections and new partnerships that are driving down the cost of essential medicines to affordable levels.
The latter half of 2025 shows emerging signs of hope for restoring financing. The United States launched its America First Global Health Strategy, establishing bilateral agreements to sustain funding while supporting transitions to nationally led HIV responses. The Global Fund’s Eighth Replenishment raised over USD 11 billion, marking a significant achievement at a critical moment.
UNAIDS emphasizes that 40.8 million people are living with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections recorded in 2024 and 9.2 million people still without treatment. The report calls on global leaders to reaffirm solidarity, maintain international funding, strengthen debt restructuring efforts, scale up innovation, and protect human rights. Community leadership remains central to progress, as communities ensure accountability, reach those most affected, and sustain the momentum needed to end AIDS.
UNAIDS warns that the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is still within reach, but only if immediate, collective action is taken. The organization urges world leaders to choose unity and commitment over retreat, stressing that millions of lives depend on the decisions made now.
