UN AIDS Agency Warns of HIV Resurgence as Global Funding Falls 18%

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Geneva: The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has warned that the world risks a resurgence of the HIV epidemic after global funding for HIV programmes fell by 18% in 2025, the lowest level in nearly two decades.

The UN agency said total HIV funding dropped to $7.3 billion, largely due to cuts in international assistance, particularly from the United States, which has historically been the largest donor. Although some countries increased domestic spending, it was not enough to offset the decline.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said the funding shortfall has disrupted HIV prevention and treatment services, with some countries in sub-Saharan Africa reporting sharp declines in access to preventive medicines. It warned that the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 is now at risk.

The agency called for renewed international investment, warning that prolonged funding cuts could reverse years of progress in tackling HIV and leave millions of people without essential prevention and treatment services.

Pic Credit: AFP - Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director, UNAIDS