At the High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS, leaders emphasized the need for renewed commitment to end AIDS by 2030.
UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted significant advancements, noting a 70% reduction in AIDS-related deaths since 2004, benefiting over 32 million individuals through antiretroviral treatment.
However, she cautioned that 9.2 million people still lack treatment access, exacerbated by dramatic funding cuts impacting prevention efforts. Mohammed stressed five priority areas: enhancing treatment access, fortifying community leadership, protecting human rights, increasing funding, and fostering international collaboration.
UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima revealed alarming funding drops, particularly detrimental in low-income nations. HIV testing has declined by 22%, hindering knowledge of HIV status and virus spread. Funding for critical preventive tools, like condoms, has also diminished significantly.
Byanyima maintained that eradication of AIDS remains within reach, advocating for continued research and innovation in treatment solutions.
Civil society representative Karen Dunaway emphasized the importance of choices made in policy debates, urging for the protection of human rights and the removal of laws stigmatizing key populations.
The meeting concludes with a new Political Declaration aimed at reinforcing accountability for national HIV commitments through 2030.