World AIDS Day 2025: WHO Sparks Hope — «Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response»

The World Health Organisation has today rallied partners and communities worldwide for World AIDS Day 2025, championing a hopeful, action‑packed theme: «Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response». Far from doom and gloom, the message is one of resilience, innovation and renewed commitment to turn the tide on HIV.

Despite the scale of the challenge — an estimated 40.8 million people living with HIV globally and worrying rises in new infections in some regions — experts and campaigners are upbeat about what can be achieved when governments, health services and communities pull together. The Eastern Mediterranean Region, where new infections have climbed in recent years, is being singled out for urgent attention and targeted support.

Funding shortfalls have disrupted services and left too many without testing or treatment, but today’s tone is constructive: calls for increased domestic investment, smarter integration of HIV care into broader health services and a fresh push for community‑led programmes that reach the most marginalised. With a wide range of effective treatments available, HIV is now a chronic, manageable condition for many — and the focus is on making that a reality for everyone.

Innovation is centre stage. WHO is urging countries to embrace digital health, AI and new service models to expand prevention, scale up testing and make treatment more accessible. Community groups, long the backbone of the response, are being celebrated for their creativity and tenacity — and there is a clear plea to protect and prioritise their work.

Stigma and punitive laws remain stubborn barriers, but the mood is one of determination rather than despair. Experts say that by reigniting political will, sustaining funding and tackling discrimination, nations can accelerate progress and keep the 2030 goal of ending AIDS in sight.

Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, summed up the day’s spirit: «Raise awareness, increase funding, integrate services and adopt innovation — WHO will stand with our countries and communities to build a stronger, fairer AIDS response for everyone, everywhere». Today’s message is simple and powerful: disruption can be overcome, and transformation is within reach.