World can end AIDS by 2030 if… — Global movement, ONE

The world has the potential to end Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as a public health threat by the end of the decade if there is renewed political commitment and investment from all governments, according to international advocacy and campaigning organization ONE.

The organization made this statement in response to the release of the 2023 report of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which highlights that AIDS can be eradicated by 2030.

ONE emphasized that although progress has been made in combating HIV/AIDS, with global new HIV infections reaching their lowest point in decades, this progress is at risk.

In certain regions and countries, new HIV infections are on the rise, and funding for HIV from both international and domestic sources has fallen to 2013 levels, reaching $20.8 billion in 2022, far below the $29.3 billion needed by 2025.

Tom Hart, President of the ONE Campaign, remarked on the UNAIDS report, stating that the world has the tools, resources, and knowledge to end AIDS, but lacks the will to see it through.

He stressed the importance of global determination and commitment to match the progress being made at the local level.

ONE called for a greater focus on sustainability and renewed political commitment from all governments, including the United States, whose President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is expected to be reauthorized this year. The organization also urged donors to ensure sustainable financing of the HIV response, invest in health systems, and address challenging areas such as ending stigma and discrimination and advancing gender equity.

According to ONE, 630,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2022, a 69% decrease from the peak in 2004. The number of people accessing antiretroviral therapy increased to 29.8 million in 2022, up from 7.7 million in 2010.

Additionally, there was a 59% decrease in new HIV infections since the peak in 1995, with 1.3 million people becoming newly infected in 2022. Globally, 39 million people were living with HIV in 2022.

Several countries, including Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, have achieved the ’95-95-95′ targets, meaning that 95% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95% of those aware of their status are on antiretroviral treatment, and 95% of those on treatment are virally suppressed.

Sixteen additional countries, including eight in sub-Saharan Africa, are also close to reaching these targets, as this region accounts for 65% of all people living with HIV.

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