UN warns of threat of HIV epidemic in the world
Further reduction in funding for programs to combat HIV infection could lead to a global epidemic.
This is reported in the report of the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
The document notes that the volume of international funding for HIV control activities coming from various countries has decreased by more than $1.5 billion — from $8.8 billion in 2024 to $7.3 billion in 2025. This is the lowest figure in almost 20 years.
UNAIDS believes that the reduction in international funding and cuts in funds for HIV prevention and work with the population will likely lead to a new surge in the epidemic. In 2025, 1.2 million people were infected with HIV. If urgent measures are not taken, then by 2030 the number of infected could exceed 3 million people.
In 2025, the number of new cases of HIV infection increased in three regions and 21 countries, including Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Of the 41 million people infected with HIV, about 9 million are not receiving any treatment, and almost half of children living with HIV do not have access to antiretroviral therapy.
