UN High-Level Meeting Adopts New Political Declaration to End AIDS by 2030

23 June 2026, New York — A United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS concluded today with the adoption of a new Political Declaration by a majority of Member States. The two-day meeting, held from 22–23 June, set strategic priorities and targets for the next five years, reaffirming the global commitment to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Background and Preparations

The High-Level Meeting was preceded by a Multi-Stakeholder Hearing that gathered over 200 civil society representatives, people living with HIV, and partners. The hearing was opened by President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock and included statements from UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, Florence Riako Anam of the Global Network of People Living with HIV, and ambassadors from Botswana and Georgia. The President's report from the hearing informed Member State consultations on the new Political Declaration.

Key Progress Data

"AIDS-related deaths have decreased by 56% since 2010 and by 70% since their 2004 peak."

According to multiple sources, global HIV-related statistics include:

New HIV infections have decreased by 43% since 2010.
32.1 million people (78% of those living with HIV) are on antiretroviral treatment.
The United Kingdom reported a 65% reduction in HIV transmissions since 1995 and a 74% reduction in deaths since 2004, including a 69% reduction in transmissions among children since 2010.

However, other data points indicate remaining challenges:

Nearly 9 million people living with HIV are not on treatment.
1.3 million new infections and 630,000 AIDS-related deaths occurred in 2024.
In 2025, global development assistance fell by 23%, the sharpest drop on record.
HIV testing programs fell by 22% in high-burden settings between 2024 and 2025.
Funding for condoms was cut by over 90% in some cases.

Statements from Officials

"The HIV response is one of the UN's greatest success stories." — Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly

During the meeting, several officials and representatives made key statements:

Annalena Baerbock stated that stakeholder efforts are needed now more than ever and called the HIV response one of the UN's greatest success stories.
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, reported that OECD development finance fell 23% in 2025 and cited data showing a 22% drop in HIV testing and over 90% cuts in condom funding. She stated that the Political Declaration is an opportunity to build on 25 years of commitment and that ending AIDS remains achievable, but multilateralism is at its weakest in a generation.
Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, speaking on behalf of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, outlined five priorities: expanding prevention and treatment access, strengthening community leadership, protecting human rights, increasing financing, and reviving international cooperation. She noted that the responsibility to end AIDS belongs to everyone.
Keren Dunaway of the International Community of Women Living with HIV stated that progress is fragile and community-led services are disappearing. She urged delegates to protect bodily autonomy, advance gender equality, and remove discriminatory laws.
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health of South Africa, stated that the declaration sends a clear message that HIV remains a defining challenge and that progress is possible with country leadership, community empowerment, and solidarity.
Florence Anam, Executive Director of the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), described the declaration as a major win and stated that communities will continue pushing until AIDS is ended.
Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO's Department for HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections, stated that WHO reaffirms its commitment to providing global strategic and technical leadership to translate the commitments into tangible action.

The United Kingdom issued a statement reaffirming support for partners including the Global Fund, WHO, Unitaid, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, and UNFPA. The UK identified three priorities: strengthening health systems and preventing new infections, stronger country-led sustainable responses, and ensuring community-led organizations remain central.

Key Commitments in the Political Declaration

The adopted Political Declaration includes the following commitments:

Reaffirm the commitment to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 and sustain the response beyond 2030.
Strengthen country ownership and leadership for integrated, multisectoral, people-centered HIV responses.
Mobilize adequate, predictable, and sustainable resources, including increased domestic investment.
Achieve the 95–95–95 targets by 2030: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those on treatment, and 95% virally suppressed.
Integrate HIV services into universal health coverage and primary health care.
Accelerate equitable access to comprehensive HIV prevention.
Eliminate vertical transmission and end pediatric AIDS.
Promote human rights, gender equality, and access to justice.
Eliminate stigma, discrimination, violence, and legal barriers.
Ensure equitable access to affordable medicines, diagnostics, and technologies.
Support local production and research for a vaccine and cure.
Strengthen community leadership and participation.

Accountability and Next Steps

"Ending AIDS remains achievable, but multilateralism is at its weakest in a generation." — Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director

The declaration reflects the targets in the Global AIDS Strategy 2026-2031. Member States agreed to convene a United Nations High-Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS in 2031 to review progress and chart the future course. Negotiations for the declaration were led by co-facilitators from Botswana and Georgia.

A side event titled "Accelerating progress towards ending HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections: New approaches to end major epidemics" was held by the World Health Organization in collaboration with Brazil, Indonesia, UNDP, and UNICEF.