The global fight against HIV is entering a critical phase as steep cuts to international funding threaten decades of progress, with the world now at risk of a renewed epidemic unless governments act urgently, according to a new report released by UNAIDS.
Published ahead of the 26th International AIDS Conference in Rio de Janeiro, the report warns that weakened prevention programmes, shrinking community services and declining overseas development assistance could reverse years of gains and derail efforts to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
While new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths remain at their lowest levels in more than three decades, the report stresses that the current response has become increasingly fragile. In 2025, an estimated 1.2 million people acquired HIV and 570,000 died from AIDS-related illnesses. Around 9 million of the 41 million people living with HIV were not receiving treatment, while nearly half of children with HIV lacked access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
Progress has also become uneven. New HIV infections increased across three regions and in 21 countries last year, although several nations demonstrated that success remains achievable. Seven countries have reduced new infections by nearly 80% since 2010, while 11 countries have reached the internationally recognised 95-95-95 treatment targets.
UNAIDS highlighted major scientific advances, particularly long-acting HIV prevention medicines such as monthly and twice-yearly injections, describing them as a breakthrough with protection approaching that of vaccines. However, the agency warned that limited availability and unequal access threaten to leave millions behind, with an estimated 20 million people requiring access to antiretroviral-based prevention to significantly curb transmission.
The report also points to a dramatic decline in global financial support. International HIV funding fell by more than $1.5 billion in 2025 to its lowest level in nearly two decades, while overall global development assistance dropped by 23%—the steepest annual decline on record. In many African countries, HIV programmes remain overwhelmingly dependent on foreign aid, particularly for prevention services.
Beyond financing, UNAIDS warned that expanding criminalisation of vulnerable groups and growing restrictions on human rights are undermining access to HIV services. Despite these setbacks, the agency said the adoption of new global HIV targets by 149 UN member states in June offers a
By Aghakazim Guliyev
