UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima has hailed the adoption of a new United Nations Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS, saying it demonstrates that governments remain committed to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 despite growing global challenges.
Speaking after an overwhelming majority of UN Member States adopted the declaration at the conclusion of the United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, Byanyima said the outcome showed that countries were determined to sustain gains made against the epidemic and accelerate progress toward the 2030 target.
“Governments of the world, supported by communities, have come together and affirmed that multilateralism is alive and well,” Byanyima said.
“A majority of countries have adopted a strong declaration that sets ambitious targets for the world to race to the 2030 goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat. They have kept the promise of 25 years ago.”
The declaration reaffirms the global commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and outlines new targets aimed at expanding access to HIV testing, treatment and prevention services.
It also commits countries to addressing funding gaps, protecting human rights and gender equality, expanding access to HIV medicines and technologies, and strengthening the role of communities and civil society in the HIV response.
Byanyima said the strong backing received from member states reflected a recognition that progress made in combating HIV must not be reversed.
“That so many Member States voted to support this political declaration is recognition that our progress remains worth protecting and that there is willingness to sustain the actions we need to achieve the 2030 goal,” she said.
The declaration comes amid concerns over declining international financing for HIV programmes and growing pressure on multilateral institutions.
Delegates at the meeting emphasized that domestic resource mobilization and international solidarity must work together to sustain national HIV responses and ensure continued access to prevention and treatment services.
The High-Level Meeting brought together governments, people living with HIV, scientists, civil society organisations and development partners to review progress against the epidemic and identify priorities for the next five years.
The declaration aligns with the Global AIDS Strategy 2026–2031 and commits the United Nations to convene another High-Level Meeting in 2031 to assess progress made toward ending AIDS as a public health threat.
