Key Details
The report reviews global progress towards ending AIDS by 2030, examining epidemiological trends, financing, treatment and prevention, legal and social barriers, and the new strategic framework adopted through the 2026 United Nations Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and the Global AIDS Strategy 2026–2031.
Key Area | Key Findings |
|---|---|
Global HIV Progress | Around 41 million people were living with HIV in 2025. Since 2010, new HIV infections have declined by 42% to 1.2 million, while AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 57% to 570,000. |
Progress at Risk | Despite historic gains, the world remains off track to end AIDS by 2030. In 2025, there were an estimated 1 million more new HIV infections and 400,000 more AIDS-related deaths than required to remain on the target pathway. |
Funding and Service Gaps | External HIV financing for low- and middle-income countries declined by 18% in 2025. UNAIDS estimates that US$21.9 billion will be needed annually by 2030 to achieve global targets, while prevention and community-led services continue to face major disruptions. |
Treatment and Strategic Response | 78% of people living with HIV were receiving antiretroviral therapy in 2025 and 74% had achieved viral suppression. The 2026 Political Declaration and Global AIDS Strategy 2026–2031 set new targets on treatment, prevention, sustainable financing, community leadership and integration with universal health coverage. |
India's Contribution | The report identifies India among the Asia-Pacific countries that increased domestic public HIV funding since 2025 despite declining international assistance. It also recognises India's commitment to supplying antiretroviral medicines to support HIV responses in other countries. |
Three Decades of Progress Have Brought the HIV Response to a Critical Juncture
The UNAIDS Special Report for the 26th International AIDS Conference (2026) concludes that the global HIV response has achieved remarkable progress over the past three decades. New HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths have fallen to their lowest levels in more than 30 years through expanded prevention programmes and wider access to antiretroviral therapy. However, the report warns that this momentum is slowing and the world is no longer on track to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Compared with the trajectory required to meet the global target, 2025 recorded around 1 million additional HIV infections and 400,000 additional AIDS-related deaths.
Funding Disruptions, Prevention Gaps and Persistent Inequalities Are Threatening Recent Gains
According to UNAIDS, declining international financing has emerged as the most immediate challenge to the global HIV response. An 18% reduction in external funding during 2025 has disrupted prevention programmes, HIV testing and community-led services across many low- and middle-income countries. At the same time, women and adolescent girls in sub-Saharan Africa, children and key populations continue to experience disproportionate barriers to prevention and treatment. The report also highlights the continuing impact of stigma, discrimination, gender inequality and punitive laws, arguing that biomedical advances alone will not be sufficient unless social and legal barriers are also addressed.
A New Global Strategy Seeks to Restore Momentum Towards Ending AIDS
To accelerate progress, the 2026 United Nations Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and the Global AIDS Strategy 2026–2031 establish a renewed roadmap for the global response. They set targets including 40 million people on HIV treatment, 20 million people using antiretroviral-based prevention, achievement of the 95–95–95 goals across all populations, stronger community leadership, sustainable financing and greater integration of HIV services with universal health coverage. The Political Declaration is built around five priorities: person-centred prevention and treatment; community leadership, equity and rights; access to medicines, integration and accountability; financing the future of the HIV response; and renewed support for multilateralism. Although the report does not present detailed epidemiological findings for India, it highlights India's increasing domestic HIV financing and its commitment to supplying antiretroviral medicines internationally, reflecting the country's growing contribution to the global HIV response.
What Is HIV?
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, weakening its ability to fight infections. If left untreated, HIV can progress to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of infection. Although there is currently no cure, antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables people living with HIV to live long, healthy lives while significantly reducing the risk of transmission.
Policy Relevance
Protecting decades of progress will require stronger and more predictable financing, particularly as international donor support becomes increasingly uncertain.
Community-led organisations and prevention programmes remain central to the HIV response, making their continued funding critical for reaching vulnerable and underserved populations.
Integrating HIV services with primary healthcare, tuberculosis programmes and universal health coverage can improve long-term resilience and service continuity.
Addressing stigma, discrimination and restrictive legal frameworks is as important as expanding access to medicines for achieving the 2030 AIDS targets.
India's growing domestic investment and role as a supplier of affordable antiretroviral medicines strengthen its contribution to global health cooperation and South–South partnerships.
Follow the Full Report here: UNAIDS Special Report for the 26th International AIDS Conference